Year 4 Time Travellers at Amberley Museum 6th March 2026 Co-curricular Global Year 4 enjoyed a brilliant sunny trip to Amberley Museum! The children explored how communication has evolved over the last 100 years and were fascinated by the collection of vintage telephones. They had the opportunity to write and send telegrams, communicate using Morse code, and even signal messages with flags—activities that brought history to life and sparked their curiosity. It was an exciting way to see how people stayed connected before modern technology.
Calm Chess Bookends the Working Day 6th March 2026 Co-curricular The children in Year 5 and 6 prep club have been choosing to spend their time playing chess, and it’s created a wonderfully calm atmosphere in the room. As they lean over the boards, thinking through their next moves, the usual end‑of‑day buzz softens into quiet concentration and gentle conversation. It’s become a space where they can unwind, challenge themselves, and enjoy a peaceful moment together after a busy school day. Chess has also become the way to start the day, particularly in 6LD where one pupil said ‘It makes us think and engages our brains. Plus it’s fun!’
On the Dance Stage at the Hawth Theatre 6th March 2026 Co-curricular Creative Arts Congratulations to all our pupils who performed beautifully on stage at the Hawth Theatre as part of Ignite 2026. The children worked really hard in their classes with Inspire Academy of Dance for the performance and their dedication paid off. Well done everyone!
Checkmate! Fantastic Tournament Performance 27th February 2026 Academic Co-curricular The annual Cottesmore Chess Congress once again lived up to its reputation as one of the South East’s most prestigious junior chess events. This year’s tournament brought together 50 of the strongest players in the region, all competing across a full day of high‑quality, fiercely contested chess. Representing Copthorne with great pride and determination were our top three players: Nikolas, Narayan, and Rishik. Throughout the day, all three boys demonstrated exceptional focus, resilience, and strategic creativity, taking on some of the toughest competitors currently active on the junior circuit. Their performances were a testament not only to their individual talent but also to the countless hours of dedication they have invested in training and competitive play. A special mention goes to Nikolas, who delivered one of the standout performances of the entire event. With calm precision and outstanding tactical play, he secured an impressive 2nd place finish in an exceptionally strong field. This result couldn’t have come at a better time. With the England trials fast approaching, Nikolas now heads into the next stage of his chess journey filled with confidence and momentum. His success serves as an inspiration to all aspiring players at Copthorne. Narayan and Rishik also played superbly, showing excellent sportsmanship and pushing their opponents in every round. Their commitment and positive spirit contributed to an enjoyable and memorable day for the entire Copthorne team. We are incredibly proud of all three players. Congratulations on representing Copthorne so brilliantly at one of the region’s top Chess events! Well done to our team for their determination and effort. We look forward to cheering them on in their next challenge: the second round of the Primary Cup next month, taking place here at Copthorne Prep when they will play Lancing, Blackboys and Ardingly College! Good luck!
Pre-Prep Choir Rock Around the Clock 13th February 2026 Co-curricular Creative Arts What an exciting start to our Pre‑Prep Choir! Our very first session took place on Numbers Day, which meant the children arrived dressed as rockstars, the perfect theme for launching a musical adventure. The energy in the room was fantastic, and the children were eager to sing and explore music together. From warming up our voices to learning new songs as a group, the children showed brilliant enthusiasm and teamwork. It was wonderful to see so many happy faces as they began their choir journey. We’re looking forward to a joyful term of singing, rhythm, and fun as the Pre‑Prep Choir continues to grow in confidence.
Co-curricular Calmness 30th January 2026 Co-curricular In our Mindfulness Club, children are discovering the joy of slowing down and enjoying some calm, creative time. There is lots to choose from hammer beads that sparkle with every tap, to dot-to-dot challenges that reveal hidden pictures. Our young members also get hands-on with Lego creations and sticker art, letting their imaginations flow while relaxing their minds. Every activity is designed to help children unwind, concentrate, and find a moment of calm in a busy school day.
The Wombles Help Out 30th January 2026 Co-curricular This week the Copthorne Wombles took to the school grounds for a cold but fruitful rubbish picking session. From Years 3 to 6 children are taking turns each Monday to do their bit to help keep our community litter free. Well done everyone for your efforts and for sprinkling a little Wombles magic across the site!
Year 6 Hit the Slopes in the Dolomites! 23rd January 2026 Co-curricular Sport Just before the Christmas holidays, a group of excited Year 6 pupils set off on an unforgettable ski adventure to the breathtaking Dolomite mountains in Italy. Their journey began with a flight to Venice, followed by a spectacular drive up into the snowy peaks of Pampeago, where their hotel sat just a few steps from the pistes. Over five full days of ski school, the children amazed their instructors and teachers with their enthusiasm and bravery. For some, it was their very first time on skis—but you would never have known! They showed tremendous resilience, determination and courage, tackling each new challenge with smiles, persistence, and plenty of laughter. By the end of the week, the progress they had made was nothing short of incredible. However, the fun didn’t stop on the slopes. The group also enjoyed a trip to the cinema, an evening of souvenir shopping, and, of course, a visit to a local ice cream parlour—because no trip to Italy would be complete without gelato! Everyone from Copthorne Prep had a fantastic time, and we are already counting down the days until we can return—this time with an even bigger group of budding skiers.
Critical Thinking Club 23rd January 2026 Co-curricular In critical thinking we have been thinking about what ten items we would want with us if we were stranded on a desert island, somewhere warm and dry of course! We then had some fun creating tools out of LEGO which were top of our list of items!
Co-curricular Creative! 16th January 2026 Co-curricular Creative Arts This week in Art Club, creativity was in full swing as pupils had the freedom to explore topics and materials of their choice. It was wonderful to see such a variety of ideas and techniques come to life! Some children focused on developing their drawing skills, sketching animals from the rainforest—a great connection to their current global theme. Others embraced vibrant experimentation with paint, collage, and origami, producing imaginative and colourful pieces. I also introduced the technique of using tracing paper to transfer images. Several pupils enjoyed trying this method, using it to enhance their artwork and add intricate details. It was a fantastic session filled with curiosity, skill-building, and artistic expression. I can’t wait to see what they create next week!