Our Learning Wheel groups subjects that have a natural synergy – so in all our lessons we encourage pupils to explore the connections between different disciplines.
We're also not afraid to take time out from our regular timetable to explore ideas and topics that interest our pupils in more depth. Our integrated learning projects, collaborative days and themed weeks open up exciting new ways to learn.
Here's a snapshot of some of our activities ...
History Week
When we first introduced Integrated Learning Projects, five years ago, little did we realise how popular these would prove to be within the Junior School, or quite how they would generate such a momentum of collective learning. Previous projects have been based on Literature, Maths, STEAM and Modern Languages. Our 2018 project was the first to be linked to the Humanities section of our Learning Wheel. Further information about the activities in History Week can be found here.
Languages Talk
Every year we aim to deliver one or two integrated learning projects which involve all members of the Junior School community. Having focused on Maths and the works of Michael Morpurgo in 2015, followed by STEAM and ‘Back to the Future’ in 2016, we turned our attention to Languages in 2017. Our French coordinator suggested the ingenious title ‘Language Talks’ for our recent project which proved to be perfect on so many levels. After an exciting count-down, we were launched into a truly remarkable week when the classrooms, corridors and playground echoed to the sounds of many different languages.
It was inspiring to hear many children proudly talking in their ‘mother tongue’ and to hear still more members of our community grasping the challenge of learning a new language or, in some cases, several languages!
There were many highlights throughout the week but the assemblies, playground sale and showcase afternoon deserve special mention as these were remarkable and conveyed a real sense of what can be achieved when our pupils are given opportunities beyond the usual reach of curricular and extra-curricular experiences.
Morpurgo Madness
Theatre trips, cover designs, drama, puppets, quizzes and letters to the author and more. Each group captured their activities in an iMovie to record and reflect on their learning.
STEAM week
Coding with Hacklab, rocket launching, engineering with K'NEX in the 'tower of strength' challenge, designing 'flights of fancy', exploring parabola with catapults... the list goes on!
Maths week
Maths is success. Maths is understanding. Maths is power. Of course there are an infinite number of other reasons why Maths is important, not least because it is everywhere. The Junior School Maths Week was designed, in part, to answer this question and an array of particularly special events helped us to reach our goal.