A spot of birdwatching

Inspired by the Big Garden Birdwatch taking place this coming weekend, the children were really excited to get outside and see if they could spot some birds! They thought about how they would need to stay still and quiet so as not to scare the birds away, and so made bird hides all over the outside area. They also noticed and read signs around the area, challenging them to spot robins and buzzards, amongst other birds that we might see in Little Hadham. The children in Ash class used their knowledge of digraphs, such as ‘zz’ and ‘ar’, to read words such as ‘buzzard’, and the children in Saplings are beginning to spot their learnt sounds within words around the environment, such as the ‘d’ in ‘bird’! Super sound detective work everyone!

Our busy fingers activities this week have been enjoyed by all, as they have been getting straight to work as they come into school. Next week, on Wednesday 29th January, parents and carers are welcome to join us for our busy fingers activities from 8.45-9.10. We will be focusing on letter formation and will be taking inspiration from Chinese New Year!

The children have also been exploring hills and ramps, following our P4C session all about Jack and Jill! We wondered what might have caused Jack to fall down the hill..? The children came up with some brilliant suggestions, from tripping over a fallen tree to slipping on some spilt water from the well! They enjoyed taking this inspiration and re-enacting the song in the outside area. Many of the children also extended this theme and took to exploring the effects of ‘slippery water’ on the ball ramps outside.

The children thought about how Jack spilt all his water whilst climbing the hill. They had to work out how they could make sure a bucket of water didn’t spill whilst they carried it up and down the hill in the playground, and all around. Together, they worked out that it doesn’t spill as much if it isn’t full to the top. Such brilliant and thoughtful links being made.

In maths, we have been investigating weight, using the comparative language of ‘heavier’ and ‘lighter’! It has been really lovely to see the children developing their own experiments and making clear predictions. Something that really blew our minds, was that big things can be light, and small things can be heavy! The children found it exciting to see the scales change as they measured the weight of different objects.

During our forest session, the children listened to the story of The Three Little Pigs and had the opportunity to create their own small houses for the little pigs.  The children worked well together and talked through their ideas. If a building fell down, they were able to think about how they could improve it and keep it staying upright.

We were very lucky to have two children from Willow class read us a story. It was all about how some families don’t have as much money as others and we thought about things that we could do to help others, such as donate food to food banks. The children always enjoy listening to stories from the older children.

A week has been full of discovery, creativity, and growth

Welcome to another exciting update from Beech Class! This week has been full of discovery, creativity, and growth as our Year 1 and Year 2 children explored a wide range of topics across their subjects. Here’s a detailed look at the fantastic learning journey we’ve been on:

This week, our Year 2 scientists have been learning about the importance of food groups and how they contribute to keeping our bodies healthy. We discussed the five main food groups: fruits and vegetables, carbohydrates, proteins, dairy, and fats and oils. The children investigated which foods belong to each group and why they are important. For example, they discovered that proteins help us grow strong, carbohydrates give us energy, and fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins. We also touched on the idea of “eating the rainbow” to get a variety of nutrients.

Year 1 children have been exploring why the amount of daylight changes at different times of the year. Through hands-on activities, we modelled how the Earth orbits the Sun and how its tilt affects the amount of sunlight each hemisphere receives. We used a globe and a torch to simulate summer and winter in the UK, helping the children visualise longer and shorter days.
The children reflected on how these changes affect daily life, such as the need for warmer clothing in winter or longer evenings to play outside in summer. They also recorded their observations in a daylight chart, comparing the hours of daylight in January to June.

Year 2 mathematicians have been learning about different units of measurement, focusing on centimetres (cm) and millilitres (ml). We started by understanding when and why we use these units—centimetres for length and millilitres for liquid volume.
Using rulers, children measured various classroom objects, from pencils to books, and practiced estimating before measuring for accuracy. To explore millilitres, we used measuring jugs to pour water into different containers, reinforcing the idea that volume measures capacity. They also compared measurements, using language such as “shorter,” “longer,” “more,” and “less,” and recorded their findings in tables.

Year 1 have been exploring grouping objects and developing a deep understanding of doubles and halves. We began with hands-on activities, where children grouped items like counters, buttons, and toys into equal sets. This helped them see patterns and develop early multiplication skills.
They then practiced doubling numbers by adding the same amount again (e.g., “Double 4 is 8”) and halving by splitting groups into two equal parts. Visual aids, such as folding paper in half and cutting shapes, supported their understanding. The children were thrilled to realise that doubling and halving are linked!

The Year 1 children have been captivated by the magical story There’s a Tiger in My Garden by Lizzy Stewart. They explored the enchanting garden setting and thought about how it might feel, smell, and look. Using their senses, they created detailed setting descriptions, focusing on rich vocabulary such as “lush,” “sparkling,” and “twinkling.”
For character work, they imagined meeting the tiger and described him with words like “majestic,” “playful,” and “mischievous.” These descriptive skills will help them bring their own imaginative stories to life next week!

Year 2 children focussed on the mysterious and atmospheric world of The Lost Happy Endings by Carol Ann Duffy. They explored the forest setting, discussing how it could feel both magical and eerie, and brainstormed powerful descriptive phrases such as “shadowy trees” and “glimmering moonlight.”
For character descriptions, they studied Jub, the main character, and thought about her bravery and kindness. The children also practiced developing their own characters, focusing on personality traits and how to show them through actions and dialogue. This week’s preparation has set the stage for their creative writing next week!

In PE, the children have been embracing the calming yet energizing world of yoga. This week, we challenged them to turn their favourite yoga poses into sequences. They experimented with flowing from one pose to another, learning about balance, coordination, and mindful breathing.
We discussed how yoga helps to build strength, flexibility, and focus—important skills for both body and mind. We’re proud of their focus and enthusiasm!

Beech Class has had a lovely week full of exploration, creativity, and learning. We can’t wait to see their stories come to life next week and continue our journey in all subjects!

Invention Convention…

 

LIME

There were some great themes this week on ‘nationaltoday.com’ and it inspired Lime class in a big way. They opened up a branch of Dominos to commemorate ‘Pizza Week’ (even though they dropped quite a few pizzas on the floor). A group began inventing for ‘child inventors day’ and created a shaving machine that got rid of bark from branches. Another team were playing minecraft in the digging zone and reached some precious clay! They started building a little clay/mud house and sending any extra clay to the pizza shops.

 

WILLOW

Willow were also mostly inspired by ‘inventors day’ and made a number of exciting new gadgets in the forest including…a camera, a pulley system, a sort of domino run with logs. The new country that was founded ‘Unicorn Land’ continued to thrive this week. The shelter was built again and people set to work in the digging zone providing mud and the president began handing out a number of bribes to various people to do some shady work for him! There were also some games of Eagle Eye and a Sushi shop was opened.

 

EYFS

Some tiny inventors were all over the forest this morning! Some makes were very quick, with some decorations for your house (sticks tied together with a hoop that hangs) but others took nearly the whole session to build. A huge ‘mountain crusher’ was invented which can chop through anything you need to crush, we were reassured that it could even crush big rocks. An old lady with 2 walking sticks shuffled around the forest too (we were told she was 55!). The session finished with a few high spirited games of hide and seek.

 

BEECH

Beech had a few inventions but they were more excited by Strawberry Ice Cream Day. A small group made an incredible shop with all kinds of ice cream flavours and used a bucket and watering can to help make it. Another group became Way finders and made their own boat to play Moana 2. A party was made with lots of different rooms for different party purposes. The main two were the ‘music and dancing room’ and ‘the food room’. The digging zone was very busy too as a team were trying to dig a tunnel to get to their houses quicker after school!

 

MAPLE

More inventions were made in the afternoon, with a ‘Merger Machine’ that would take any two items and put them together. The game of Traitors also continued which was going very well until the traitor decided not to tell everyone that they were a traitor and the game carried on until a confession had to be made! The shelter was given a roof and walls and looks incredible now, while a group used the clay in the digging zone to make some more pots. To celebrate ‘Spicy Food Day’ a restaurant opened that made a range of incredible forest items!

Winter magic

Welcome back, everyone! It’s so lovely to be back at school and settled into our routines again, even if the frosty mornings and icy playground have made for a chilly start to the term. The crisp air and glittering frost have brought a little winter magic to our days, and the children have embraced the new term with energy and enthusiasm.
This term, we’ve launched into an exciting new topic all about the geography of the UK, with a special focus on its surrounding seas. The children have started by exploring maps of the UK, identifying the four countries, their capital cities, and the seas that surround us. We’ve used atlases and globes to spot the North Sea, Irish Sea, and more, sparking plenty of curiosity about what lies beyond our shores. The children have loved learning new geographical terms and even sharing stories of seaside visits and beach adventures!

 

In maths, Year 1 children have been diving into learning about length and height. They’ve been using practical activities to compare objects, measure with rulers, and describe items using key vocabulary such as “taller,” “shorter,” “longer,” and “equal.” It’s been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they make connections between their learning and the world around them.
Meanwhile, Year 2 children have begun exploring statistics, starting with tally charts. The children have enjoyed collecting data from their classmates—counting favourite colours, types of pets, and even the most popular playground games—and representing their findings using tally marks. They’re beginning to understand how to group and organise information and are excited to move on to pictograms next!
In English, the children have been reflecting on their Christmas holidays and writing recounts about their experiences. They’ve practiced structuring their work with a clear beginning, middle, and end, using time connectives such as “first,” “then,” and “finally” to sequence their events. Together, we’ve worked on adding exciting details and using descriptive language to bring their memories to life. From unwrapping presents to playing in the snow, their recounts have been full of joy and festive cheer!

 

This term, we’re also putting a special focus on handwriting and letter formation. The children are revisiting how to form their letters correctly, ensuring that their writing is neat and consistent. Alongside this, we’ve jumped straight back into reading, both as a class and in individual sessions. Reading remains a cornerstone of our learning, helping to build vocabulary, imagination, and confidence, and it’s been a delight to see the children so engaged with their books after the holidays.

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Nursery Dates for Sept 2025

Monday 13th January 2025 – Applications open via schools websites

Friday 7th March 2025 – Application system closes

Monday 17th March 2025 – Offer places directly to parents by email

Friday 25thth April 2025 – Deadline for parents to accept places

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Happy new Year to All!

Welcome back to the new term! Despite the frosty mornings, the children returned with enthusiasm and energy, ready for the exciting learning adventures ahead. A heartfelt thank you for the thoughtful gifts and kind messages over the holidays—they mean so much to us. This week, we began with poetry, revisiting The Sound Collector by Roger McGough. Familiar to some of our Year 4s from last autumn’s performance piece, this poem offered a wonderful opportunity to delve into rhyme, alliteration, repetition, and onomatopoeia. The children carefully analyzed its structure, counting lines and stanzas and searching out rhymes, then they shared their thoughts on its playful tone and powerful imagery. By the end of the week, we imagined the Sound Collector visiting our classroom, brainstorming and magpieing ideas for the sounds he might “steal.” The session was lively and collaborative, and on Friday the children  drafted their own verses ready to create their own poems early  next week.

In Maths, the focuses were on revisiting and mastering the 4, 11, and 12 times tables. The children explored pictorial representations and used known facts to solve new calculations. Fact families helped strengthen their understanding of the relationship between multiplication and division, making problem-solving more intuitive.

Geography lessons took us to Italy, where we located the country on a map, identified its capital city, and explored its regions and islands. The children also drew the Italian flag and listened to its national anthem, adding a cultural dimension to their learning.

In RE, Year 3 discussed how it felt to be poorly, who looked after them and what they should do in order to get better. This is an introduction to a unit about Christianity which includes stories about Jesus as a healer.

Science was equally engaging, with Year 3 investigating light sources, beginning with the ones they could find in their environment in a light source hunt! They then learnt to distinguish between natural and artificial light, and understand the difference between a light source and a reflective surface. Year 4 began their sound topic with a fascinating look at the anatomy of the human ear, learning how sound travels and how we perceive it.

Art was a particular highlight this week, offering a hands-on exploration of colour. Instead of creating finished pieces, the children focused on mixing paints to discover how colours interact. They experimented with creating tints, tones, and shades, recording their results on colour charts. This process encouraged curiosity and creativity, as they observed how adding white, black, or other colours transformed their original hues. The session was filled with excitement as the children shared their discoveries, and identified  their favourite combinations. This exploratory approach fostered their understanding of colour theory while building their confidence as budding artists. Linked closely to this was one of our early work activities which involved responding to a work by Joseph Turner, whose mastery of colour use is legendary (he will be our artist focus for the term).

PSHE lessons focused on the important topic of safety. The children explored the differences between risks, hazards, and dangers, discussing how to identify and respond to them in various situations. These conversations helped develop their awareness and responsibility, providing valuable life skills.

In French, we embraced the theme of seasons, learning the vocabulary for winter (l’hiver), spring (le printemps), summer (l’été), and autumn (l’automne). The children practiced their pronunciation and enjoyed linking the vocabulary to what they observe around them.

PE and forest school sessions added an energetic and adventurous element to the week, with plenty of rosy cheeks and laughter as the children embraced the fresh air and physical activity.

As the week came to an end, we reflected on how far the children have come since the autumn term. Their maturity, independence, and ability to work collaboratively have grown noticeably, and it’s a joy to see them tackle challenges with confidence and determination. From their poetic creativity to their mathematical problem-solving and artistic curiosity, they’ve already shown remarkable progress. With such a fantastic start to the term, we can’t wait to see how they continue to thrive in the weeks ahead!

 

10.1.2025 Welcome back! A term full of growth and new adventures awaits!

Welcome back and Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas filled with joy and time spent with family and friends. We have an exciting and busy term ahead! The Spring Term newsletter will be uploaded to the website next week, so you can explore all the fantastic learning and activities we have planned for Maple Class.

This week in English, we began our new class book, Macbeth by William Shakespeare. The children learned about Shakespeare’s life and his remarkable body of work. They delved into the opening scene of the play, exploring the eerie setting and the mysterious witches. Using powerful noun phrases, vivid similes and metaphors, they described the dark and ominous atmosphere. Finally, the children crafted their  setting descriptions, carefully selecting vocabulary to create a dramatic and engaging effect.

In Maths, the children worked on multiplying numbers using the area model and long multiplication. They recognised how essential their weekly times tables practice on TTRockstars is for improving their speed and accuracy in multiplication. Working collaboratively with their partners, the children checked their calculations, discussed their methods and corrected any errors or misconceptions. They also responded to true or false statements, impressing with their clear reasoning and logical explanations.

In History, the children showed great enthusiasm for our new topic, The History of Space: How Did Space Travel Change the World? They learned about the invention of the telescope and its impact on astronomy, deepening their understanding of how it revolutionised the study of space. To showcase their newfound knowledge, the children wrote impressive articles, demonstrating their creativity.

In PE on Wednesday, the children worked on symmetrical balances, learning to create and hold poses that mirrored both sides of their body. They practiced control, coordination and stability while exploring different shapes and levels.

This week in music, the children listened to Earth by Hans Zimmer, a  composer known for creating powerful soundtracks that blend traditional orchestral arrangements with modern electronic elements. The children expressed their interpretations of this piece of music through drawings, showcasing a wide variety of ideas. These included dramatic battle scenes, reflections on Remembrance Day with poppies, depictions of natural forces like lightning and hurricanes, and peaceful landscapes such as serene forests and tranquil beaches.

Jack Frost!

LIME

Brrrrr! The cold and ice have well and truly hit their peak to start 2025! The buckets had a thick layer of ice covering them and it was great fun to break and tip over. The first 5 minutes of the session had people rushing around to try and locate some more ice until they realised the ice was all used up. A group used the remaining ice and mud to make some coca cola which then quickly morphed into a McDonald’s. Some witches arrived and flew around the forest on broomsticks and a huge devils coach horse was found!

 

WILLOW

After wrapping up as warm as humanly possible, Willow set to work on one of the most impressive shelters Little Hadham has ever seen! They wrapped all the tarp they could find around some trees to create a barrier and rearranged a whole load of logs to make a den within their newly created boundary walls. One group splintered off after finding a tiny piece of chalk and got people to sign their ‘declaration of independence’, which officially made the forest its own country! Some interesting rocks were found, while a few games of Eagle Eye were played too.

 

EYFS

Jack Frost had visited in a BIG way again and it was minus 4 degrees! The Ash and Saplings listened to a story about Jack Frost and learned lots of fun things to do in the winter to keep themselves warm. In the Forest, someone noticed a bit of paper attached to the shed. After some excitement, they realised it was a to-do list left by Jack Frost and set to work trying to tick things off the list like…play the bean game, stay warm, de-ice the forest. They succeeded and managed to get back inside, just before toes went numb!

 

BEECH

The Beech class children enjoyed the Jack Frost story too, although the sun began popping out by the time they were outside, so conditions were practically tropical in comparison to the previous session! Jack Frost had left another note on the shed with a few extra items to tick off, including making dragon breath and writing in the frost. They ticked the items off the list and really enjoyed the final bits of frost. They even found some ice circles and thought they could be Jack’s eyes! They also spent a long time making a warm party for everyone!

 

MAPLE

Maple class split into 5 different groups today and were very busy. To celebrate ‘snuggle a chicken day’ (www.nationaltoday.com apparently), a chicken shelter for homeless chickens was created and you could sit with a chicken giving them a hug! A very realistic (and loud) game of ‘The Traitors’ was being played and unfortunately the traitors won. The new shelter made by Willow class was built upon and turned into a museum and a group were fascinated with the water butt, which was so full of ice that water would come out. So they went Ice fishing!

A term full of possibilities and learning awaits!

Happy New Year and welcome back to another exciting term in Year 6! As we embark on the first week of the spring term, we are thrilled to share the wonderful learning adventures that we have experienced. It’s been an action-packed few days filled with new discoveries and fun activities that have set a great tone for the term ahead.

Our new topic, ‘Frozen Kingdoms,’ has taken off with a frosty flourish. This week, we delved into the thrilling race to the North Pole, a subject that sparked immense curiosity and debate. We explored the controversial claims of two explorers, Robert Peary and Frederick Cook, both of whom asserted that they reached the North Pole first. To our astonishment, we uncovered that neither of these accounts was ultimately trustworthy! This revelation prompted some lively discussions and critical thinking about the nature of exploration and the importance of verifying sources. It’s an excellent reminder for us as budding historians about the value of scepticism and research in understanding the past.

In addition to our exploration of the North Pole, we also embarked on an intriguing investigation into icebergs. We studied how they are formed, the various types of icebergs, and their significance in our world.

This scientific inquiry not only enhanced our understanding of climatology but also our appreciation for the beauty and fragility of our polar environments. As we continue through the spring term, we look forward to uncovering even more parts of the Frozen Kingdoms

Our whole class reading this week introduced us to a fantastic new core text, Holes by Louis Sachar. From the very first chapter, we were drawn into the intriguing world of Camp Green Lake, where our protagonist, Stanley Yelnats, finds himself entangled in a web of misfortune. As we explored Stanley’s character, we couldn’t help but feel protective of him and his challenging predicament. Our discussions have centred around Stanley’s quirky fellow campers—Armpit, Squid, Magnet, and the enigmatic Zero. Each character brings their own charm and complexity, sparking our imaginations and setting the stage for many exciting discussions ahead.

PE offered a us the opportunity to stretch our limits in gymnastics. We learnt different positions, including straddle, pike, front support, back support, tuck, and dish. Some of these poses certainly challenged our flexibility and core strength! To reinforce these positions, we turned the gymnastic session into a fun game, and we relished the chance to show off our newfound skills.

Turning our attention to English, this week was all about the versatile hyphen. We discovered several uses of this small but mighty punctuation mark! From avoiding ambiguity (can you imagine the confusion between a “man eating shark” and a “man-eating shark”?) to forming compound nouns and adjectives, there is much to learn about the hyphen. We had a lively discussion around the amusing differences in meaning that hyphens can create, which generated lots of chuckles across the classroom.

One of the highlights this week was our RE lesson, where we explored the intriguing question: “Is anything eternal?” We eagerly shared our thoughts on what we believe will last a lifetime, alongside the fleeting moments we wish could last forever. It was heartwarming to witness the respect and understanding displayed as we listened to one another’s perspectives.

Our lesson took a philosophical turn as Caden reminded us of the wise words of Aristotle: “You never step in the same river twice.” This profound statement sparked reflections on the constant changes we experience in life, reminding us that we are continually evolving, both in age and wisdom. A thought-provoking lesson that encouraged self-reflection and deepened our understanding of time and permanence.

The first week back at school has been full of learning and success. Here’s to a productive and fun-filled Spring term.

Have a lovely weekend.

Thinking, speaking and listening together

What a chilly start to our Spring term! The children have really enjoyed exploring the outside area this week, and all that Jack Frost had to offer! Ice became like gold dust as the children collected it to make all sorts of potions and delicious treats in the mud kitchen. Incy Wincey spider also seemed rather grateful that the children had freed him from his icy guttering! Experiments and investigations on how best to break the ice had the children highly motivated and using critical thinking skills. Even the hobby horses were thought of in the cold and windy weather, as oats were brought out to keep them well fed!

In PSED, Harold reminded us about his scarf that he wears, which helps him to remember some important things! The children remembered how the red part of his scarf means Safety, the yellow means Caring, the blue means Achievement, the green means Resilient and the purple part means Friendship. This week, we looked at the red part of the scarf, and thought about how to keep our bodies safe. The children discussed how soap keeps us safe from germs, and warm clothes help us when it’s frosty outside. Choosing time had many of the children continuing their thinking, as our class puppets were enthusiastically looked after by doctors, and friends worked together to draw around each other’s bodies to label the different parts.

We’ve been reflecting on the new year and the exciting possibilities it brings. The children shared their hopes and dreams for the year ahead, which we called our “New Year Wishes.” They had some wonderful ideas, including learning to ride a bike, visiting Legoland, and trying their hand at baking. Each child had a “New Year Wishes” stick, which they added to the vase as they thought about their hopes and dreams for the year ahead.

The children loved their first P4C session this week! In Philosophy for Children, the children are able to discuss big ideas, to think, to speak and to listen together. This week, the children thought about how best to help Humpty Dumpty. Many ideas were eagerly shared, such as sticking him together with sellotape or glue, or even placing down trampolines or soft beds so that he didn’t hurt himself in the first place! It was great to see the children sharing their thoughts, agreeing or disagreeing with each other, and even building on what others had said. It really did have us all wondering whether it was better to fix a given problem, or to prevent the problem in the first place… what do you think?

It has been brilliant to see how keen the children were with their literacy this week! We have started to read our new focus text, The Magic Paintbrush, by Julia Donaldson. In the story, the main character Shen is given a paintbrush that brings anything she paints to life! This got us thinking about what useful things we might paint if we wanted to help someone… the children drew all sorts of things, from food, books and warm clothing, to fires to get rid of rubbish and horses to help someone who was tired of walking! It was lovely to hear the children think carefully about specific objects, and give reasons as to why they were helpful.

In maths, we are continuing to think about different ways we can represent numbers. We also were introduced to the concept of ‘zero’ and have enjoyed using number gloves to sing our favourite counting songs from five to zero!

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