Image of Nursery - P.E - Exploring The Great Outdoors!
10 Sep

Nursery - P.E - Exploring The Great Outdoors!

Our Nursery class has been busy exploring the outdoor garden! The children had a fantastic time using their big muscles and developing their skills. We saw lots of energy on the climbing equipment, great aim while kicking and throwing balls, and some impressive balancing while riding bikes. The bouncy crates were a huge hit for jumping, and there was fantastic teamwork and creativity as they built tall towers with the reels. The class also used their keen observation skills to make some amazing discoveries, including a soft feather, some intricate spiderwebs, and even tiny eggs nestled on a leaf!

Image of Reception - PE - Finding a Safe Space
10 Sep

Reception - PE - Finding a Safe Space

Reception had their very first PE lesson today and absolutely loved it! They learned about the importance of keeping a safe space and how to move around the hall carefully. Hoops were used to help them picture their own space, and then they explored moving in different ways – jumping, jogging, hopping and walking – before returning to their safe spot.

Image of Year 4 Maths - Partitioning
10 Sep

Year 4 Maths - Partitioning

This week In Maths, Year 4 have been looking at partitioning or splitting up numbers up to 10,000! We have looked at all of the different place values numbers are made up of and how we can make the same number in many different ways.

Image of Year 4 Storytelling Through Art - Art
10 Sep

Year 4 Storytelling Through Art - Art

Year 4 have been introduced to telling stories through their artwork. We have looked at how texture, colour and the actual artwork itself can impact how a story is viewed or perceived. We are looking forward to creating our own stories, using this method.

Image of Year 3 - History - Learning About Skara Brae
10 Sep

Year 3 - History - Learning About Skara Brae

This term, our topic is the Stone Age, and we've been traveling back in time to one of the best-preserved Stone Age villages in Europe: Skara Brae! The children have been fascinated by this incredible settlement in Orkney, Scotland. We've been exploring how people lived over 5,000 years ago and what archaeologists have discovered there. We've looked at the different artifacts they found, from pottery and tools to mysterious carved objects. The children have been busy thinking like archaeologists themselves, imagining what these items were used for and what they tell us about the lives of the people who lived in Skara Brae.

Image of Reception -Write Dance
10 Sep

Reception -Write Dance

Our Reception children have been enjoying Write Dance this week as part of developing their pre-writing skills. We’ve been focusing on big up-and-down movements to the song “The Grand Old Duke of York”, using our whole arms to make marks together on large paper. These activities help to strengthen gross motor skills, coordination, and control, all of which lay the foundations for confident writing later on. The children loved moving, singing, and creating marks as a group – lots of energy and enthusiasm!

Image of Reception - Class Worship - Meeting Jack
10 Sep

Reception - Class Worship - Meeting Jack

This week Reception took part in their very first class worship. We were introduced to Jack through Roots and Fruits and met Hack the puppet, who will be helping us on our journey. We learned about creation and talked about the many wonderful things in our world. The children thought about how we can show thankfulness for these gifts and how we worship together in school. This was also a chance to begin exploring spirituality – noticing the beauty around us, feeling a sense of awe and wonder, and learning that worship is about more than words; it’s about how we connect with God and each other.

Image of Year 3 - English - Getting To Know Paddington Bear
10 Sep

Year 3 - English - Getting To Know Paddington Bear

This term, we've been on an exciting adventure with a very special bear from deepest, darkest Peru... Paddington! Our class has been exploring a variety of images featuring everyone's favourite marmalade-loving bear. We've been using these pictures as a springboard for our writing, jotting down everything we know about Paddington, his adventures, and his friends. From his iconic duffle coat and red hat to his love of marmalade sandwiches, the children have been busy capturing their knowledge and ideas.

Image of Pre-School-Continuous Provision-Exploring Our Environment
9 Sep

Pre-School-Continuous Provision-Exploring Our Environment

The Pre-school children have enjoyed getting to explore our environment around our nursery, exploring all areas inside and outdoors. We have also enjoyed playing and being creative with all our new friends that have joined us at Darwen st James.

Image of Pre-School-Phonics-Singing With What's In The Bag
9 Sep

Pre-School-Phonics-Singing With What's In The Bag

Pre-School have started our phonics this week while singing what's in the bag. Each child is given an opportunity to pick out a nursery rhyme from the bag for all to sing. Children loved to sit in a circle singing what's in the bag before a child is chosen to pick out one object for all to sing.

Image of Nursery - PSHE - Looking After Our Teeth!
8 Sep

Nursery - PSHE - Looking After Our Teeth!

Our PSHE lesson this week focused on the importance of good dental hygiene. The children learned how to look after their teeth, with a particular emphasis on the introduction of toothbrushes and the correct way to brush. To help them understand the concept, we used a giant toothbrush and giant teeth to practice wiping away the germs. This hands-on activity helped the children develop a basic understanding before they tried brushing their own teeth. The children had a fantastic time brushing their own teeth while following along with the Hey Duggee Brush Your Teeth song. They enthusiastically copied the characters' movements, which made the activity both fun and educational. To promote good oral hygiene practices, Nursery class will be brushing their teeth together every day. This routine will reinforce what they've learned and help them establish a healthy habit for the future.

Image of Autumn Term Clubs!
8 Sep

Autumn Term Clubs!

Dear Parents, We are delighted to announce our fantastic lineup of after-school clubs for the Autumn term! We've listened to your feedback, and we're so pleased to be able to offer a range of clubs that we believe will be both fun and rewarding for your children. After-school clubs are a wonderful way for students to explore new interests, learn a new skill, and make new friends. This term, we have a variety of options to choose from, including: Debating Club: A great opportunity for confident speakers and those who want to build their confidence to express themselves. Yoga Club: Perfect for all ages, this club focuses on helping children find calmness and balance while building strength and flexibility. Football Club: An exciting chance for students to improve their skills and play in a supportive team environment. Dance Club: A fun way to get creative and learn new routines and styles. Cross Stitch Club: A chance to learn a new, creative skill and design a cross-stitched bookmark. Junk Modelling: An imaginative club where children can turn everyday "junk" into something new and exciting. History Club: For those who love to research and learn about significant figures from around the past. Clubs will begin the week of September 15th and run until the week of November 24th. The cost for most clubs is £4.00 per week, which is £40.00 for the full 10-week term, with some clubs being free. Please take a look at the attached flyer for full details on each club, including the day, time, leader, and year groups. To sign up, please visit ParentPay. If you need any assistance with signing up or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office. We look forward to seeing your children get involved in these great activities!