We enjoyed six fabulous Focus Days last year which provided immersive learning opportunities in English, science, history, RS, Art and DT, geography, music and French.

In Art and DT, Year 3 visited Mark Cross Garden Centre to sketch koi carp and returned to school to make willow fish in the woods; Year 4 enjoyed a trip to Wilderness Wood where they used natural materials to make art; Year 5 built charcoal burners in the woods and used the charcoal to draw with; Year 7&8 enjoyed a visit to a local sheep farm and used wool to make felt landscapes.

For geography – Year 3 enjoyed workshops on rainforest adaptations; Year 4 improved their mapping skills on a walk around Tunbridge Wells, and made bird feeders to enhance our own environment; Year 5 had a brilliant trip to Cuckmere Haven to study the river formations; Year 6 learned about ecosystems and planted the school vegetable plot; Year 7&8 took part in an exciting world trade and global poverty workshop.

In RS – Year 3 explored the traditions and ceremonies of multi-faith prayer;  Year 4 studied Easter and made Easter gardens; Year 5 Trip had a great trip to Canterbury Cathedral; Year 6 learned a great deal during their visit to Hindu Temple in Crawley; Year 7&8 learned about how religion is expressed through music and art.

For English and drama Year 3 wrote and illustrated their own Rainforest Stories; Year 4 developed their instruction writing skills using an Egyptian theme; Year 5 studied Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and made pop up books; Year 6 enjoyed a gruesome special effects make-up workshop; Year 7&8 used innovation skills to invent a new product and pitch for investment in a Dragon’s Den style competition.

In history, Year 3 made Celtic hill forts and woad; Year 4 loved their Archaeology workshop on Ancient Egypt; Year 5&6 enjoyed a Penshurst Place workshop on The Tudors; Year 6 were fascinated by their World War 2 workshop; Years 7&8 were given an historical tour of Battle Abbey.

For science Year 3 studied magnets and magnetic forces; Year 4 conducted water-based investigations on a Titanic theme; Year 5 completed a materials investigation through the egg drop challenge and making UV bracelets.

In French, Year 6 were ‘en vacances’ learning through workshops on a holidays theme. And finally, Year 7&8 became international delegates for a day, when they took part in  Model United Nations Day.

What a year, we look forward to seeing what this academic year holds!