Year 5 PSHE - Rights and Respect at Home, at School and in the Local Community
Rights and Respect: Empowering the Citizens of Tomorrow In PSHE this week, Year 5 have been exploring the fundamental concepts of rights and respect. We began by establishing a clear system of definitions: understanding that 'rights' are the entitlements every person should be afforded, while 'respect' is the active practice of acknowledging the needs and wishes of others. The children applied these definitions to their own lives, categorising their unique rights and responsibilities within three key areas: at home, in school, and throughout the wider local community. Working collaboratively in pairs, the pupils engaged in deep discussion before presenting their findings to the class with confidence. It was a marvellous opportunity for our young citizens to reflect on how showing respect for the environment and for each other creates a more harmonious society.
Year 6: Geography - Solar Farm Debate
This week in Geography, Year 6 have put together their previous learning and had a debate around the issue of solar farms. We used voice 21 talk tactics to instigate, build and challenge each other during the debate. Some really interesting points were raised!
Year 1 - PSHE - What Will Happen to our Community if We Don't Look After It?
We had a fantastic PSHE session in Year 1 this week! We were delighted to welcome Fatima from Blackburn with Darwen Council, who came in to talk to the children about the importance of caring for our local community. The children had some very thoughtful discussions about what might happen to our parks and streets if we didn't look after them. To help put their learning into practice, they became recycling experts! What we got up to: Big Discussions: Thinking about the impact of litter on our environment. Material Sorting: Learning how to identify different materials like paper, plastic, and metal. Recycling Challenge: Sorting through rubbish to see what can be reused or recycled instead of thrown away. The children had a brilliant session and have come away with lots of new ideas on how to keep Darwen clean and tidy. A huge thank you to Fatima for such an engaging and inspiring visit! #DarwenStJames #Year1 #PSHE #CaringForOurCommunity #Recycle #KeepDarwenTidy #NurturingAmbition
Year 4 R.E. - Forgiveness
Year 4 have been learning about the Easter Story during this unit of work, and have explored values such as trust, betrayal and forgiveness. We discussed what forgiveness meant to us individually and how it is represented in stories from the Bible. Year 4 created their own artwork, using watercolours, to express how they portray forgiveness in their artwork.
Year 4 History - King Alfred
Year 4 have been looking at sources about King Alfred, who we learned, was referred to as 'the Great'. We had to study where each source had come from, how reliable it was, and rate it on a scale of potential bias. Year 4 had some fantastic discussions within their groups, explaining their thoughts to others. We shared all of our sources and ideas to the rest of the class, to collate our information.
Year 3 - Science - Investigating Magnets
Stuck on Science! Our Year 3 scientists have had a truly "attractive" week! As part of our new science unit, we’ve been diving into the world of magnets and forces. The classroom was buzzing as students tested different materials to see what’s magnetic and what’s not. From paperclips to pennies, we’ve been predicting, testing, and recording our findings like pros.
Year 3 - P.E. - Team Games
Duck, Dip, Dive, and Dodge! Our Year 3 team brought the energy to the hall today for an epic session of Dodgeball! While we stayed indoors, the competitive spirit was through the roof as the students put their teamwork and reflexes to the ultimate test. This wasn't just about throwing balls—it was a masterclass in cooperation and quick thinking. We focused on how to defend our teammates, when to take a strategic risk, and the importance of playing fair under pressure.
Reception- Physical Development- Forest Friday
Over the past few weeks, our Reception children have really thrown themselves into Forest Friday and made the most of being outdoors. They’ve loved exploring the school and nursery grounds, turning into little builders as they created bug houses and heading off on an imaginative “Bear Hunt” through the bushes. Alongside all the fun, these sessions have also supported their physical development. Moving across uneven ground and using a range of outdoor equipment has helped to build both their gross and fine motor skills. Whether they were carrying logs to build a habitat or carefully using small tools, it’s been lovely to see their confidence and coordination grow in the fresh air.
Reception- Geography- Our Town
This week, our Reception explorers have been diving deep into our literacy focus, ‘The London Bus’, using the story’s journey through the capital as a springboard for our own local adventures. Inspired by the famous landmarks in the book, we shifted our focus closer to home to celebrate our town of Darwen. The children enjoyed reflecting on the familiar spots they have visited with their families and sharing exciting ideas about where they’d like to go next. Using these discussions as a blueprint, our young architects took to the construction area to recreate Darwen’s iconic skyline. It was wonderful to see their creativity in action as they selected different-sized blocks to represent the unique shapes of Darwen Tower, the Library, and the bustling Town Centre. From the greenery of Bold Venture Park to the local Swimming Baths and even a very busy Asda, the children demonstrated fantastic spatial awareness and teamwork while bringing our local community to life.
Year 1 - Maths - Measuring Using Non Standard Measurements
Does your child know how many paperclips long their favorite toy is? This week in Year 1, we are diving into non standard measurement. We aren't using cm just yet—instead, we’re using cubes and paperclips to understand the concept of a unit. Try it at home: Ask your little one to measure their dinner plate using pasta pieces or Lego bricks! Just remember the golden rules: Line them up straight. No gaps. No overlapping! #Year1 #LearningAtHome #WhiteRoseMaths #EarlyMaths #Measuring
Nursery/Pre-School - Maths - Can You Place An Accurate Number Of Bugs On The Flower
This week, the children took part in a fun, bug-themed counting challenge. The activity focused on their ability to listen to a specific number and accurately represent that quantity by placing bugs onto a giant flower. When asked a question like "Can you place three bugs on the flower?", we made sure to give the children plenty of "thinking time." This allowed them to process the instruction and reflect on the number they heard before beginning the task. The children then practiced their one-to-one correspondence, carefully picking up and placing each bug one at a time until they reached the target number. To finish the task, the children were encouraged to count the bugs already on the flower to check their own work. This helped them reflect on whether the amount they had placed matched the number they were originally asked for. This hands-on approach was a fantastic way to build their confidence in counting and their understanding of how numbers relate to a physical group of objects.
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Nurser/Pre-School-Geography-Understanding The World-Little Gardeners
The children had a fabulous week in the sunshine! They truly enjoyed getting muddy as they transformed into little gardeners. After choosing a special spot in our outdoor space, the children planted a variety of blooms, seeds, and bulbs. They have since loved watering their plants and sitting quietly in their new garden, watching and waiting for them to grow.
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