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In Parlick as part of our Topic ‘Lets explore!’ We took our exploration further afield to the Brockholes Nature Reserve. Despite the rainy weather, the nature reserve provided the opportunity for our class to engage with a local, open space whilst also exploring seasonal changes and what these look like in a natural environment. 

Throughout their experience, students engaged with physical activities which involved climbing, negotiating spaces and walking through different terrains- whilst also using their observational skills to explore various habitats (bugs, birds and deer) and natural objects such as trees and plants before discussing how these have changed based on the Autumnal weather. 

In the classroom, we have been sharing ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ as our Topic story, so our trip provided us with the opportunity to recite and practice the tale whilst experiencing some of the environments such as ‘thick, oozy mud and long, wavy grass’. To ensure we could continue creative and explorative learning at School, we collected sticks and various coloured leaves to take back to the classroom with us. 

This week, Bleasdale Class took their learning outdoors with a series of exciting activities in Holmes Wood. In science, pupils explored changes of state through hands-on investigations. They observed a candle melting from a solid to a liquid before cooling back into a solid again. They also investigated how chocolate changes when heated, carefully spooning the melted chocolate onto cakes before watching it cool and solidify. The class went on to explore how whipped cream can change from a gas to a solid while still showing properties of a liquid. Pupils created detailed drawings of these processes while surrounded by the natural setting of the woods, linking their science observations with their art skills. Later, they will add labels and write conclusions to demonstrate their scientific understanding.

In history, the children continued their outdoor learning with a scavenger hunt through Holmes Wood. They searched for missing pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and then worked in teams to race through questions about the Anglo-Saxons. Through this challenge, pupils deepened their knowledge about who the Anglo-Saxons were, the difference between invaders and settlers, what life was like during this time, and how archaeologists use evidence to uncover the past.

Throughout their time in Holmes Wood, Bleasdale Class showed excellent teamwork. Staff and pupils supported one another, making the most of the outdoor environment to produce exciting work that reflected both creativity and strong understanding. Pupils demonstrated collaborative skills while thoroughly enjoying their learning across science, art, and history in the woodland setting.

In Oakenclough class as part of our Starry, Starry Night topic in English and our Science topic on Animals Including Humans, we went on a brilliant trip to Brockholes Nature Reserve. The visit was carefully chosen to give children a real-life context for exploring nocturnal and diurnal animals, helping to deepen their understanding of animal behaviour, habitats, and adaptations through first-hand experiences in a natural setting.

During our time there, the children actively drew on their prior knowledge of nocturnal animals to explore the differences between day and night. They engaged in meaningful discussions about what we might see and hear in each setting, sharing ideas and building on one another’s understanding. As part of this collaborative learning, the children exchanged what they already knew about diurnal animals and worked together to identify which animals are nocturnal and typically emerge at night. The children were able to recall animals such as owls, bats, foxes, and hedgehogs, prompting discussions about how these animals are specially adapted to life in the dark. Through this peer interaction, the children not only deepened their understanding of animal behaviour but also strengthened their classroom relationships by listening to, supporting, and learning from each other.

The children also collected natural materials like leaves, twigs and feathers, which they later used in our enhanced provision to create their own nocturnal animal pictures. They had so much fun using their imagination and what they had learned to bring their animals to life.

This trip was a great way to explore nature, link our English and Science topics, and get creative using real-world materials. The children displayed collaborative skills whilst enjoying their learning in a practical way.

On Friday a group of children visited Brooklands Farm in Scorton. This was our first time at the farm and we had a wonderful time. We met Cookie and Oreo, the very cheeky and playful Pygmy goats, who we enjoyed feeding and playing with.

The children also met Boris and Schupaca the fluffy alpacas, we learned all about where they came from, why they were brought to our country and what their wool is used for. The children loved feeding and petting them. Finally, we met the horses and sheep- Monty, Cinders, Ella and Flossy. We enjoyed being able to pet and feed them. We were able to give Cinders lots of cuddles, which both she and we loved. We will definitely be back for more cuddles.

Children Calder Class enjoyed a day dedicated to First Aid training. During the first aid training, the children actively engaged in learning essential safety and care skills through a mix of demonstrations, practice, and role-play.

The session introduced them to the importance of staying calm in emergencies and seeking adult help when needed. The children were able to practise their CPR skills and also familiarised themselves with how and when to use a defibrillator. They all worked extremely hard! 

17/9/2025

Our class had a fantastic day out at Holmes Wood as part of our Invasion topic. The trip gave everyone a chance to get stuck into history and geography in a hands-on way.

For geography, the children had to think like invading commanders. They explored the woods and surrounding areas, spotting human and physical features that could either help or hold back an invasion. Physical features included trees, fields, swampy ground, rivers, steep cliffs and even mountains. Pupils explained how these features could be useful for protection or, on the other hand, make it more difficult for armies to move. We also looked at human-made features such as fences, battlements, walls, bridges and farms, and discussed how these could change the way an invasion might unfold.

Working in groups, the children took part in races to find and interpret information from invasion timelines. This really got them thinking as a team, answering questions and piecing together historical clues. Another highlight was the scavenger hunt, where the children searched for artefacts linked to the invasion theme. Back in class, they sketched the artefacts into their Topic books, showing great observation skills and creativity.

Overall, the trip was a great mix of learning and fun. The children came away with a much deeper understanding of how geography and human choices can influence history – and they enjoyed every moment of the adventure!

The Year 6 children headed off to Waddecar Scout Camp for the annual Residential trip to celebrate the end of their Calder Lodge journey. The children  took on the role of Robin Hood shooting arrows in the archery activities and testing their agility and bravery by navigating the High Ropes. As always a sumptuous BBQ and delicious gooey s’mores were enjoyed, following a paddle in the stream. To end the day the children enjoyed a warm shower and got snuggled up in their pyjamas before climbing into their bunk beds to see who could fall asleep first, but excitement remained high so chatter went on late into the night. There were many tired faces on their return to school on Friday morning, but many stories of the wonderful adventures had by all. A huge thank you to Mr Farnworth, Mr Hutchinson and Miss Jameson for giving our young people a fabulous experience to end their Calder Lodge journey.

Today Calder Class engaged in a series of team games.  

The first game involved the class working in teams of 3.  They had a line of 10 PE cones.  The team needed to run to the furthest cone and flip it over then run back to their team.  The second game involved running to the furthest cone, picking it up and then running back to their team.  These 2 games were planned to get the teams to encourage each other and work as one unit.

The third game involved two teams of 3.  They stood in a line.  Each person held a receptacle.  The person at the front had a jugful of water.  They needed to pass the water to the person standing directly behind them.  The second person would catch the water from the jug in their mixing bowls.  This was then passed back to the person standing behind them who was holding a bucket.  The team with the most water in the bucket at the end were the winners.  We swapped and changed positions in the lines so that they all had opportunities to use a different receptacle.

The final game involved having three groups of two.  Mrs Mott picked the team leaders.  They then picked their partners in turn.  Foam water pistols were introduced, one for each team member.  They were given full water buckets which were strategically placed around the playground.  The rules: nobody can be targeted if they are refilling their pistols.  Team members could not spray someone if they were less than an arms length away.  The first team to empty their buckets were the victors.

The class had lots of fun engaging in these activities.  They were soggy and happy as we made our way back into class.  Most of the pupils wanted a rematch.  We will see!

Throughout this half term our children have visited the wonderful Waddecar Scout Camp on our annual trip. The children have had a wonderful time exploring Waddecar as well as having lots of fun at the lake; splashing around on and in the lake.

Many opting to spend more time in the lake than on it. Spending time at Waddecar is a firm favourite with our children and also the staff, being in the great outdoors, having fun and making memories, whilst learning new skills.