With temperatures soaring above 30°C, Year 4 enjoyed one of our most memorable Science lessons of the year!

Our original plan was to investigate light bulbs as part of our learning about electricity. However, Mrs Lovatt had a brilliant idea. She jokingly suggested, "We should be making fans instead!" The more we thought about it, the more it made sense… so we completely changed the lesson and got to work!

The children began by revising the difference between open and closed circuits and exploring how switches can control the flow of electricity. They then used motors, batteries and switches to build their own working circuits before modifying the motors by attaching card to create spinning fan blades.

There was plenty of problem-solving along the way as the children tested, adapted and improved their designs to make the most effective fan possible. It was fantastic to see them applying their scientific knowledge in such a practical and meaningful way.

The classroom was filled with excitement as each fan sprang into life, providing a welcome breeze in the summer heat! The children absolutely loved seeing their circuits power something they had designed and built themselves.

Sometimes the best lessons aren't the ones you plan weeks in advance—they're the ones inspired by a great idea in the moment. A huge thank you to Mrs Lovatt for suggesting we swap light bulbs for fans. It turned an ordinary lesson into one the children will remember for a long time.

In Science this week, Year 4 carried out an investigation to find out which materials are conductors and which are insulators.

We looked at a range of everyday objects including a pencil sharpener, paper clip, string, lollipop stick and tin foil. Before testing the items, the children worked in pairs or small groups of three to make predictions about whether each object would allow electricity to pass through it or not. They discussed their ideas carefully and explained the reasons for their choices.

Once their predictions had been made, the children used a simple circuit to test each item. They observed whether the circuit worked when the object was added and used this to decide whether it was a conductor or an insulator.

The children showed excellent teamwork throughout the lesson, working collaboratively in their groups to test each object and record their findings. They were excited to compare their results with their original predictions and discuss any surprises.

It was a fantastic practical lesson that helped the children develop their understanding of electrical conductivity and the difference between conductors and insulators through hands-on investigation.

​This week, Year 4 stepped back in time to learn all about the mighty Roman Army. We discovered why the Roman Army was so successful and how its organisation helped the Romans build one of the largest empires in history.

The children learned about legions, cohorts and the tents used by Roman soldiers when travelling and setting up camp. We were amazed to find out how organised the Roman Army was and how soldiers had to work together to be successful.

One of the highlights of the lesson was learning about the famous Testudo ("tortoise") formation. Although the weather meant that we could not go outside, we adapted our plans and recreated the formation in the corridor instead. The children thoroughly enjoyed acting out the role of Roman soldiers and worked brilliantly as a team to protect themselves from incoming attacks.

We also dressed one of our classmates as a Roman soldier using makeshift armour and equipment. The children learned about the different pieces of a soldier's uniform and weaponry, including the gladius (short sword), caligae (military sandals), scutum (shield), lorica segmentata (armour), pilum (javelin) and cassis (helmet).

The lesson brought history to life and gave the children a fantastic opportunity to experience what life might have been like for a Roman soldier. Well done, Year 4, for your enthusiasm, teamwork and excellent historical knowledge!

​Our class had a fantastic surprise this week when one of our parents kindly brought in some four-week-old Silkie chicks from home for the children to meet.

The chicks were absolutely adorable and quickly became the centre of attention. The children were excited to learn about them and find out more about how they are cared for as they grow.

Many of the children showed great bravery when meeting the chicks for the first time. They enjoyed gently stroking them and were amazed by how soft and fluffy they felt. It was wonderful to see their confidence grow as they interacted with the chicks.

The smiles around the classroom were incredible and the excitement was clear to see. The visit created lots of happy memories and gave the children a valuable opportunity to experience something new.

A huge thank you to the parent who brought the chicks in to share with us. It was a fantastic surprise that brought so much joy to our day!

​Today, our Year 4 children took part in an exciting skipping workshop and they were absolutely fantastic!

The class demonstrated excellent skipping skills throughout the session, building on the techniques and knowledge they learned during the skipping workshop earlier in the year. It was wonderful to see how much progress they had made and how confidently they approached each challenge.

The skipping instructor was incredibly impressed by their enthusiasm, determination and skill. In fact, the children far exceeded her expectations with their performance and positive attitude. They listened carefully, worked hard and showed great perseverance when learning new tricks and routines.

We are extremely proud of all of the Year 4 pupils for representing our school so brilliantly and for showcasing their impressive skipping abilities.

Well done, Year 4 – you were amazing!