Category: Academic
Light Bulb Moments in Year 4 Science
Mrs P-S and Mr B challenged to children to build simple working circuits this week in their Global Science lessons. Each child was given a cell, two wires and either a bulb, motor or buzzer that they had to make work and there was a real buzz in the air as the children saw science in action each time they completed a circuit.
Some circuits did not initially work so pairs combined to try and find out why and solve the problem. The children were also encouraged to predict what would happen if additional cells were added to a circuit and this was then tested with results that surprised some.
Year 5 Look Closer at Owl Pellets
After their trip to The Big Wood Estate, Year 5 have been spending time dissecting some owl pellets and finding all sorts of interesting small mammal bones. The children used microscopes to really look closely at these bones and try to identify what they are.
Bringing the Iron Man to Life in Year 3!
Year 3 took on the exciting challenge of creating models of the Iron Man, inspired by Ted Hughes’ book. Each and every model was incredibly impressive! Mrs Litchfield, our Head of English, was so amazed by their creativity that she has requested the models be used to decorate our school library. What a fantastic way to bring the story to life!
Outdoor Maths Week!
Last week, our maths lessons took an exciting turn as we headed outside for our Outdoor Maths event! Designed to boost enjoyment, encourage collaboration, and connect learning to real-life situations, each year group took part in creative, hands-on activities. Year 2 explored weight through a fun carousel of weighing challenges, while Year 3 got busy with chalk, adding up money in a real-world shopping-themed task. Year 4 turned detective in the staff car park with a number plate challenge—figuring out car ages from registration plates, creating tally charts, multiplying and dividing numbers for extra brainteasers, and even analysing car colours with bar charts! Meanwhile, Year 5 and 6 combined maths and movement with a thrilling decimal puzzle orienteering activity, rounding off the week by mastering six-figure grid references in a challenging map-based task. A brilliant week of fresh air and fantastic maths learning!
Dream Catching in Year 4
In Global this half term, the children have been learning all about Native American culture and the symbolism of dreamcatchers. According to Ojibwe legend, the dream catchers started as spider webs, made by a Spider Woman known called Asibikaashi. These protective charms were designed to take care of the children and the people on the land but as the Ojibwe Nation spread to the corners of North America it became difficult for Asibikaashi to reach everyone, so mothers and grandmothers began to weave webs for the children that could be hung over their beds to take care of them.
Before starting the intricate and painstaking process of making their dream catchers, the children first designed them thinking carefully about what colours they would use, the pattern of their web and any decorative features such where to include beads and feathers. Mrs P-S was impressed by how the children persevered with tricky knot tying and worked cooperatively to help each other to untangle wool and give advice about different approaches to the task and she can’t wait to see the finished dream catchers!
Sustainable Farming at The Bigwood Estate
On Tuesday, Year 5 were treated to a trip to the Bigwood Estate, near Blindley Heath. There, we met David, who took us on a tour of the farm and told us all about how sustainable they are. We met Peppa and Thelma, the English Saddleback Pigs with two of their 7-week-old piglets and a small herd of young heifers, who were incredibly curious! We learned that you can make a perfectly good anti-bacterial soap from horse-chestnut leaves, that pigs are pregnant for 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days, and owls ingeniously throw up the bones of small rodents in parcel shaped pellets. We can’t wait for a return visit.
At the end of our trip Year 5 were presented with some owl pellets to look at in more detail in their next science lesson. So, that’s exactly what we did! First, we soaked the pellets to soften them and then we carefully took them apart with tweezers. What we found absolutely amazed us; tiny bones, skulls, miniscule teeth and lots of fur! In our next science lesson, we will use the microscopes to investigate even further and try to identify the bones.
How we look after Mother Earth
Our Year 2s amazed us with their projects about “How we look after Mother Earth.”
The children were challenged to think of a way they could help the planet and execute their idea in a way that would inspire others. We had many planting seeds, flowers and vegetables. The bug hotels and bee feeders were so colourfully and creatively presented. Vadaanya had us in awe of the bioplastic she made using seaweed! Over the course of the time in Year 2, we have seen the children grow in confidence and presentation skills. Our global focus this week has been to look at the 3Rs of sustainability – reuse, recycle and reduce. Please join us on the journey to help Mother Earth!
Sumdog Maths Half Termly Winners
We’re thrilled to announce the winners of our half-term Sumdog competition! A huge congratulations to our top five maths stars: Nikolaos (1st), Faeqah (2nd), Haaris (3rd), Rishik (4th), and Meera (5th) – fantastic work! Sumdog continues to be a favourite among our pupils, and it’s easy to see why. With fun, interactive games that adjust to each learner’s ability, it’s a powerful tool for building confidence and boosting maths skills. We’ve seen real progress among those who practise regularly – so whether you’re already a fan or just getting started, keep up the great work and get ready for the next challenge!
MFL Day – C’est Magnifique!
MFL day was all about celebrating the two languages that we learn here at Copthorne. It was such a fun day that started with a whole school assembly where we all did a conga on our beautiful playing fields. It was a Global cross curricular event where children learnt about the history, geography and food of Spanish and French speaking countries. each year group had opportunities for art and DT; year 4 created La Boca style houses while Year 1 created their own Picasso portraits. The Year 6s designed their own Formula One cars for the Monaco Grand Prix whilst the Year 5s learnt all about the Tour de France.
We finished our day with a ‘ what have you learnt?’ session, followed by a huge Bingo game!
Merci and gracias to everyone for making it a wonderful day!
Come and experience for yourself what makes a Copthorne education unique. Check out our entry points with early offers to Caterham School.
We would love to welcome you to our School at an upcoming visitor morning or private tour.
Explosive Journey Down the Food Canal with The Royal Institution
As part of their Global science, Year 1 through to Year 6 were treated to an amazing science show at Caterham School by the Royal Institution thanks to Caterham Prep’s science department. Children enjoyed learning how some foods can explode. Most importantly they learnt how our digestive system works and what happens to food once we have eaten it! Despite some squeamish moments as we saw the journey down the small intestine, the children thoroughly enjoyed the show. The Royal Institution are behind the amazing series of Christmas Lectures with presenters from David Attenborough to Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock later this year – click here to check them out. Thank you for inviting us Caterham Prep!
