‘Why is water important?’ Year 5 investigate 10th October 2025 Global What a great day Year 5 had at Flow Zone. they looked at the water process and learnt all about the treatment process. It was great to see the children recap and share what they have been learning in geography as well as in science. The children have been able to really think about global question this term why is water important. In science the children are studying mixtures and separation and it was great for them to see what they have been learning being applied in real life situations. They all could see how the water cycle, which they have been learning all about in geography, is absolutely key to keep reservoirs full.
Year 3 Head to Ancient Egypt 10th October 2025 Global The children in Year 3 have been learning all about the fascinating roles and responsibilities of the Pharaoh in Ancient Egypt. They were excited to discover how powerful and important the Pharaoh was in both government and religion. To bring their learning to life, the children created and decorated their own Pharaoh headdresses, adding interesting facts they had learned. They looked fantastic and had a wonderful time combining creativity with history!
Reception Explore Space 10th October 2025 Pre-prep Science This week, Reception blasted off into Science with Whatever Next! We created our own rockets using bottles and straws and discovered they only fly with the right pressure — a great way to learn about forces! We also explored the solar system and imagined which planet we’d like to visit. What an exciting week of space adventures!
Year 4 Blast Off at Herstmonceux 3rd October 2025 Science Year 4 enjoyed a fantastic day at the Herstmonceux Observatory and Science Centre. The children were captivated by an interactive science show, got stuck into a brilliant robot arms workshop, and explored the outdoor exhibits that made science feel fun and real. They came away full of curiosity, questions, and excitement — a true taste of what it means to be a scientist. It was a memorable day that brought their learning to life in the best possible way.
Jurassic Adventures at Paradise Park for Year 1 3rd October 2025 Global Pre-prep Year 1 had a fantastic time on their trip to Paradise Park where they saw moving dinosaurs! We also explored the museum and discovered fossils, including ammonites and trilobites. The train ride around the park and jumping on the giant bouncy pillow made the day even more memorable.
Paper, Papyrus, and a Bit of Mess! 3rd October 2025 Creative Arts Global In art, Year 3 have been learning about how the ancient Egyptians made papyrus. Inspired by these traditional techniques, the children had a go at making their own paper using a similar method. As part of the process, pupils discovered helpful tips for tearing paper in straight lines and learned about the importance of overlapping layers to create a strong sheet. While there were mixed feelings about the slightly messy step of soaking the paper, everyone embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and care. The finished paper looks fantastic, and we’re excited to use it as the base for our upcoming artwork.
Academic Excellence at the Heart of Teaching and Learning 26th September 2025 Academic At Copthorne Prep, our teaching team are committed to keeping up to date with educational research and best practice, to ensure pupils have the best possible educational experiences, both in and out of the classroom. Last week, our focus was on Rosenshine’s principles of instruction, which provide a bridge between research and classroom practice. They link to countless effective teaching strategies which are rooted in cognitive science and are considered ‘best practice’ in education. Some of the cognitive science that underpins Rosenshine’s principles of instruction are: Retrieval practiceThis is asking children to recall information previously learnt, rather than recapping it for them. The process of retrieving learnt information strengthens children’s memory of it, thus enabling it to be stored as long-term, secure memory. Therefore, they improve not only in terms of learning retained, but also in their ability to recall and retain, which strengthens them as learners. Cognitive load theoryThis means avoiding overloading children’s working memory, so that they can focus on assimilating new learning effectively and securing it in long-term memory. This means that we put in scaffolds and support to help children with things that are not the primary learning focus of a lesson, enabling them to really target their attention on new learning. Growth mindsetThis is the belief that skills, abilities and intelligence can be developed. Growth mindset encourages us to embrace cognitive conflict – we teach children that finding something difficult is a positive part of the learning process, and that working through challenge is beneficial for developing long-term resilience. Keeping these principles and their grounding in research in mind helps us to ensure our lesson design and delivery maximises pupils’ learning potential.
Maths Skills in Real Life Contexts 26th September 2025 Academic Pre-prep Uncategorised Pupils across the school took part in a special Maths Investigation Day during their regular maths lessons. Designed to bring maths to life, the activities encouraged children to apply their skills in real-world contexts—developing curiosity, resilience, and problem-solving abilities. From cracking codes and solving riddles to exploring medicine ingredients in Year 2 (inspired by George’s Marvellous Medicine), every year group tackled exciting challenges. Our Year 5 and 6 pupils even explored Fibonacci’s sequence, using it to create stunning mathematical artwork. Meanwhile, our youngest learners in Reception explored the concept of size by comparing everyday classroom objects—laying the foundations for mathematical thinking through hands-on discovery. It was a fantastic celebration of thinking creatively and mathematically!
Sport Science in Year 3 26th September 2025 Science In Year 3 science, we have been learning all about the human skeleton. The children were fascinated to discover that the longest and strongest bone in the human body is the femur (thigh bone). To put their learning into action, they carried out an exciting investigation: Can someone with a longer femur jump further? The children carefully measured and recorded their results, using their scientific skills to think about fair testing and what might affect the outcome. It was a fun and active way to explore how our bones help us move, and Year 3 loved combining science with a bit of sport!
It’s a Matter of State in Year 4 Science 26th September 2025 Science Year 4 have been busy investigating how heat changes different solids. Using careful observation, they measured the time taken, temperature reached, and the changes in state when the solids were heated. The children were fascinated to see how some solids melted at different rates, sparking lots of discussion about why materials behave in different ways. It was a fun, hands-on way to explore science in action!