Year 6 - PE - Orienteering
Ever wondered if your child could use a map and key to crack a secret code and navigate their way to victory? This week, Year 6 put their Outdoor and Adventurous Activities (OAA) skills into practice during an exciting, high-energy orienteering lesson on the school grounds. After sharpening their spatial awareness with a energetic warm-up and practicing map orientation, the children worked in small teams to interpret map symbols and locate hidden control points in a specific order. Demonstrating brilliant teamwork, honesty, and safety awareness, pupils logged each checkpoint on their control cards and successfully decoded the secret mystery word!
Year 6 - Geography - Fieldwork
Have you ever wondered how the size of a local population changes the environment on our very own doorstep? Over two action-packed geography lessons, Year 6 took their learning outdoors into the local area to investigate traffic, litter, and noise pollution across busier and quieter locations. Navigating with Ordnance Survey maps, the children collected both quantitative traffic tallies and qualitative data—listening carefully to assess noise levels and using Likert scales to judge environmental impact along their route. Back in the classroom, they carefully analysed their data sets to craft detailed fieldwork reports, complete with thoughtful suggestions on how to improve and protect our local community!
Year 6 PE
Year 6 have been developing an awareness of what their bodies are capable of, recognising their strengths and identifying areas for improvement. They have also been developing their speed and stamina, improving their ability to perform physical activities with greater pace, endurance and determination.
Year 6 Computing
Year 6 looked and started to understand what a computer network is and identify examples of networks at home, school and in the wider world.
Governor Vacancies
Could you help shape the future of Darwen St James? Darwen St James Church of England Primary Academy is looking for enthusiastic, dedicated individuals to join the team as Parent Governors and Foundation Governors. You do not need to be an education expert or have special qualifications. Your everyday experience, community insight, and care for the children are what matter most. What does a Governor do? Set direction: Help shape priorities and support the academy vision. Support and challenge: Ask constructive questions and act as a critical friend. Keep children at the heart: Oversee safeguarding, education, wellbeing, and resources. Bring a wider perspective: Use your skills, experience, and community insight to help the school thrive. Which role suits you? Parent Governor: Open to current parents and carers, giving families a direct voice in the school. Foundation Governor: Focuses on supporting and championing the school's Christian vision and ethos. Is it for you? If you care about the success and wellbeing of children, can listen and work as part of a team, and can commit a little time to attend meetings, complete training, and visit the school, we would love to hear from you. How to get involved Interested? Start with an informal conversation to learn more without any obligation. Telephone: 01254 703260 Email: [email protected] Address: St James Crescent, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0EY You can also scan the QR code on the poster for further governance information. Get in touch today to help make a positive difference.
Year 6 - Music - Exploring Texture
In Year 6 music, our pupils have been riding the soundwaves as they explore how texture creates depth and shape in music! Working in groups, the children took on the role of conductor, layering different body percussion, vocal sounds, and tuned instruments to build up 'wave' improvisations. They learned how adding and taking away different sounds changes the thickness of the musical texture—just like waves rolling in and out on the beach. To finish, the children recorded their original group ideas using creative graphic scores to capture every unique layer.
Year 6 - Science - Applying Practical Knowledge of Circuits and Switches
Year 6 applied their scientific knowledge of circuits and switches during an exciting science lesson to design and create custom greetings cards, incorporating either a light-up or moving component powered by bulbs or motors. The children discussed how impractical it would be for the cards to remain constantly active, as the batteries would likely run out before the recipients even opened them. To solve this problem, they successfully incorporated clever switches using split pins and paper clips. Throughout the lesson, the children demonstrated outstanding teamwork and perseverance to complete the task, and they are incredibly proud of their final designs.
Year 6 - Music - Exploring Texture
In Year 6 music, our pupils have been riding the soundwaves as they explore how texture creates depth and shape in music! Working in groups, the children took on the role of conductor, layering different body percussion, vocal sounds, and tuned instruments to build up 'wave' improvisations. They learned how adding and taking away different sounds changes the thickness of the musical texture—just like waves rolling in and out on the beach. To finish, the children recorded their original group ideas using creative graphic scores to capture every unique layer.
Year 6 - Communion
Year 6 visited church this week for a special Holy Communion service. The children helped lead the worship by sharing their own prayers, and everyone enjoyed staying afterwards to share lunch together.
Year 6 - English - Setting Descriptions
This term, Year 6 have loved diving into the story of Rose Blanche. To help them imagine life as Rose, the children wrote their own setting descriptions from her point of view. We placed pictures from the book around the classroom, and the children worked together to gather words and phrases describing what Rose could see, hear, and feel. It was wonderful to see them helping each other plan, and their finished descriptions show great imagination and empathy.
Year 6 - Art - Scaling up Drawings
How can focusing on the space around an object help bring a 2D drawing to life? Inspired by the iconic life-sized cut-out figures of artist Lubaina Himid, Year 6 have been exploring how flat shapes can transform into interactive art. Using reference silhouettes of animals like cats, lions, and dolphins, the children put their observational skills to the test by studying negative space to accurately map out shapes. They applied the grid method to scale up their chosen images square by square, carefully transferring pencil outlines with accuracy and confidence onto a larger scale.
Year 6: English - Creative Writing
This week Year 6 are completing some creative writing based around the short clip Dracula's Whitby. We are thinking about describing character and setting, and also emphasising the need to create an atmosphere to keep the reader curious about what will happen next.
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