Our incredible Year 3 to Year 6 students successfully completed their 2-mile run on the field for the London Mini Marathon! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Leading up to the event, 75 enthusiastic children had been diligently preparing by running their daily mile during break times. Their commitment and effort were truly inspiring!

Each participant also worked hard to raise sponsorship money from family and friends, with contributions paid in via PayPoint throughout the week. We were so proud of their fundraising efforts!

The event itself was a fantastic display of perseverance and school pride. Students showed great determination as they completed their mini-marathon, cheered on by staff and supporters. It was a wonderful achievement for everyone involved! 🎉

 The Year 1 team transformed the hall into a reading and phonics festival for the day, complete with bunting, tents, fire pits and lots and lots of books.  The children took part in ‘book tasting’, eating the tropical fruits featured in Handa’s Surprise, as well as a ‘Giant Jam Sandwich’.

Over 40 parents joined in the fun, completing phonics games, making character puppets, taking part in a massive ‘Bear Hunt’, and reading with their children.  We outlined the upcoming phonics screening test and showed parents fun and engaging ways to help their children with their reading at home. 

Nursery visited the Little City set up in the Shiny Hall which allows the children to explore different career opportunities, use their imagination, collaborate in their play, turn take, share and talk.

All props provided are at the child’s level of development, likes and fascinations, which they all thoroughly enjoyed.

Year 4 pupils had a memorable visit to IWM Duxford, where they explored a collection of RAF planes, helicopters, and military vehicles. The trip allowed them to see historical aircraft up close and learn about their historical significance. The students were particularly struck by the size of tanks and missiles, gaining a sense of the scale of wartime machinery. They also learnt about the lives of those who worked with these vehicles, including the bravery of pilots and soldiers. The visit was both educational and inspiring, sparking curiosity and lively discussion amongst the children.

Year 6 enjoyed an exciting trip to Borough Market and the Tate Modern. The day began at the lively Borough Market, where pupils explored the vibrant stalls filled with delicious food and unique treats from around the world. They had the chance to purchase a variety of snacks and experience the buzz of one of London’s oldest markets.

Afterwards, we walked along the Thames to the Tate Modern, where pupils had the opportunity to spot famous landmarks we had learnt about in Literacy.  Inside the Tate Modern, small groups explored different art exhibitions, which sparked plenty of thought-provoking conversations about modern art.

It was a fantastic day that combined culture, creativity and a little bit of culinary adventure!

The Year 5 and 6 pupils at Pioneer were treated to an unforgettable virtual visit by award-winning Scottish children’s author Elle McNicoll. Known for her groundbreaking debut novel, ‘A Kind of Spark,’ Elle captivated the pupils with her insights, passion for storytelling and the message of inclusion and resilience. During the zoom session, Elle shared her journey to becoming an author, including the inspirations behind her novels and the challenges she faced along the way. She spoke passionately about how her own experiences as a neurodivergent individual shaped the characters and themes in her books. Her stories resonated deeply with the pupils, many of whom were inspired by her advocacy for embracing differences and standing up for what is right. The highlight of the event was the interactive Q&A session, where pupils asked Elle questions about the writing process, how to develop interesting characters and tips for overcoming writers' block.