Rain hasn’t stopped play (or learning!)

Maple

In PSHE, we have been learning how to keep ourselves healthy. The children have explored which foods are higher in sugar and have been practicing brushing pretend 'teeth'. In our Geography topic, children have been identifying some of London's landmarks.

Rowan

In science, Year 2 have been thinking about the problems with different materials. We learnt about recycling and why it is important for the planet, especially when so many materials we use harm the planet. We looked at some rubbish and decided whether it can be recycled or if it would go to landfill and then made posters to encourage people to recycle and look after the planet. 

Birch

Year 3 have been learning about magnetic forces in science. 

It was exciting to see how magnets can repel or attract each other. In geography we are starting to learn about volcanoes as part of our 'rocks, relics and rumbles' topic. We have linked our English to this, creating a double page information spread to explain what we have learnt so far. They have conducted independent research to make their writing more interesting.

Sycamore

This week, Sycamore Class took part in the BBC Live Lesson for Safer Internet Day.

We also performed the songs that we had created that flowed like a river.

Aspen

This week Aspen class have begun their learning on decimals and percentages. They have begun by recapping their Year 4 learning on decimals to two decimal places and have been making really good links between their fractions learning. If you would like to do any maths revision over half term, then take a look at decimals and percentages.

Elm

Elm class we have been exploring the circulatory system as our science unit. We have been looking at the different components of the system particularly blood vessels and blood. The children had a chance to create their own blood samples

Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and more

Maple

Children in Maple Class have been learning about London in our Geography topic, Bright Lights, Big City. They had a bird's eye view of the capital using Google Earth and discussed some of the human and physical features that they could see. Some children made a model of central London using different resources - how creative! In maths, children have been using concrete resources to show their understanding of subtraction. 

Rowan

This week, Year 2 have been investigating different types of paper. We were investigating how strong and absorbent each type of paper was and thought bout why we would use different papers for different purposes, Next week, we will be using this information to investigate which material would be the best to make a shopping bag. Year 2 have also been enjoying Forest School, they've really enjoyed being outside (even if it is a little rainy sometimes!)

Birch

In Computing, Birch class have been continuing to learn about sequencing in scratch. We have focused this week on sequencing sounds to make a song. They successfully created programs to play twinkle twinkle little star, and we learnt how to program chords. The children have loved tinkering on scratch so much that they often ask if they can do more during wet break.

In art, Birch and Rowan have finished of our clay roses by painting them to add colour. We have also created polka dot card flowers by laying pieces of card and paper. During this we practised using a template and cutting.

Sycamore

 Sycamore have been learning about perimeter this week. They have enjoyed working collaboratively, showing their co-operation skills in maths. 

Aspen

This week Aspen class has been exploring human life cycles in science, linking it to their previous learning on mammalian life cycles. They noted the similarities and differences between other mammals and created their own version of a life cycle, challenging themselves to make them neat and add as much detail on each state as they could. Additionally, in art they have explored the artist Rembrandt and experimented using blank ink pens

Elm

This week in Elm class we were brining drama to our English lessons, we were acting out Shackleton departing Patience Camp in order to find rescue for his crew. We used direct speech to show how the conversation might go to bring into our writing.

Bedtime stories

Our children had lots of fun coming back to school to read bedtime stories in their pyjamas with hot chocolates and biscuits! Thank you to Hampshire School Library Service and all of our parents who supported this popular event.

Maple

This week, we have been learning about different settlements in Geography. Children have enjoyed creating their own cities collaboratively. In art, children have made their collages to represent the weather, ready for printing.

Rowan

This week, Rowan have started a new maths unit on multiplication and division. The children have worked so hard to recognise and make equal groups and are really excited to start multiplying numbers next week! In geography, we have been thinking about erosion and how this can change the way a coastline looks. It was really exciting to see how the waves, rain and wind can change the shape of the cliffs over time!

Birch

Birch class have been learning about how fossils are made as part of our 'rocks, relics and rumbles' geography topic. To help us remember this, we made books to explain how they were made.

We have been learning how sequencing works in programming. Children came up with code on paper today and tested whether it worked how they thought it would on scratch.  After that they had some time to program something of their choosing. The children have really enjoyed this topic so far, many of them said they were going to carry on at home.

Sycamore

Sycamore are lyricists in the making! We have started a new unit in music called 'River Journey' and we are making short songs that are about how rivers move and flow.

Next week, we are hoping to add some music to accompany our impressive lyrics!

Aspen

This week Aspen class have been continuing their art project, Line, Light and Shadow, by creating a gradient on black paper using chalk. We discussed how by using colour, you can create light and shadow to add perspective. 

Elm

This week in Elm we were working on our printing techniques inspired from a Canadian piece- The Enchanted Owl.

Eco and Elm Trees

Eco Team

Our Eco team at Stanmore gives our children a voice in developing environmental awareness, understanding of sustainability, and a sense of responsibility. This week our Eco Committee were delighted to have worked in partnership with Hampshire Rotary Club who secured 6 Elm trees from Hampshire Forestry Partnership for our school. The Eco team led by our Year 6 pupil leaders used the gardening tools efficiently to plant the trees. They were able to put their names to the trees leaving an eco-legacy for the future. We wish to thank the Rotary Club for their support. 

Maple

We have been busy learning about seasonal changes in Maple Class. Children have explored different symbols for the weather, learnt how deciduous trees change during the year and even represented different types of weather using musical instruments.  We have been making collagraphs for printing using different materials too - great fun

Rowan

Year 2 have been thinking about how to shape different materials. We had lots of fun trying to twist, stretch, squash and bend different materials which helped us to understand why different materials are used to make certain objects. In computing, we have started using Bee Bots to understand that the order we give instructions in can impact the final result.

Birch

Year 3 have been learning about friction in science. We compared rough and smooth surfaces by rolling a toy car down them. The children learnt that rough surfaces had more friction, causing the car to roll slower.

 In art we have been learning about shape and form, looking at different mediums for art. As part of this, we have created 3-D flowers using clay.

Sycamore

This week we have been learning about dividing when there are remainders. First, we had to recap partitioning and exchanging, so that we were able to make equal groups. We used place value counters to help with that. 

Aspen

This week in Aspen class we have been looking more in Geography at allotments and have been looking closely at the type of plants we may plant in them. We looked carefully at the life cycle of plants and the difference between seeds, bulbs, and tubas. They then got to choose from wildflower seeds, red or white onions, flower bulbs and potatoes, to then plant. Over the coming weeks we will care for the plants and watch them grow, with the hope to transfer some outside.

Elm

This week in Elm class we started our Algebra unit. The children were learning and practicing forming expressions using multilink and dienes. We got very creative and had a great practical lesson

Creative Curriculum

Maple

This week in Maple Class, children have been exploring the concept of 'Specialness'in RE. Through storytelling and drama, they have been learning about some of the miracles Jesus performed and why that makes him a special person to Christians. 

Rowan

In maths, Rowan have been thinking hard about how to make £1 in different ways using different coins. The children had to count carefully to make sure all their coins added to 100p. In English, the children have started to use dictionaries to find different words to make their writing even more interesting to read.

Birch

In art, Birch and Rowan have been thinking about the details on leaves and other natural objects like flowers and sticks. The children printed their leaves into clay which revealed lots of intricate patterns that they observed and sketched. In PE, the children have been thinking about different ways to move their body and have been practising different balances.

Sycamore

Sycamore experienced an exciting launch to our topic 'Misty Mountain, Winding River' by creating our own mini rivers! We used soil and created  a river bed and gained an understanding of how water often takes the path of least resistance as it moves downhill. As you can see from the smiles, it was a lot of muddy fun!

Aspen

Aspen have recreated art inspired by abstract artist Pablo Picasso, using his style of continuous line drawing. In geography, we learnt more about allotments and Mrs Jones brought in some home-grown leeks for us to investigate, fresh from her allotment! We've also been learning about completing a primary survey in PSHE. Finally, we've been learning about the life cycles of different animal and comparing them. What a great week!

Elm

This week in Elm class we have been practicing our G major scale using body percussion in small groups. We worked on having a rhyme to keep in time.

Welcome back to the Spring Term 2026

Maple

The children in Maple Class were very excited by the snow this week. They will be learning more about seasonal changes throughout the term. In art, children used transitional art to represent weather symbols and in science, they explored our wonderful school grounds to describe features of the environment in winter. 

Rowan

Year 2 have had a lot of fun this week playing in the snow, it was such a nice surprise!

In RE, we thought about what it means to have courage and what a courageous person might say and do. We then wrote these things in speech bubbles to remind ourselves that we can always have courage, even if we feel scared at first.

Birch

Birch have looked at a Chinese lantern song in music. We first learned how to sing it and practised singing it in a round. We then learnt how to play part of it on a glockenspiel. The performances were the best they have done so far on the glockenspiel.

We experimented with programming and learnt some of the basics. Some children managed to produce playable video games. They have done this with scratch, and they are able to continue editing this (or playing their games if they made one) at home if they wish.

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Sycamore

This week Sycamore Class started their new science topic called 'States of Matter'. We are learning about solids, liquids and gases. The first task was to group a range of different materials into those groups. But there were some very tricky ones such as shaving foam and toothpaste! 

Aspen

Aspen class have had a brilliant start to the term. They have thrown themselves into their new learning across the curriculum. Highlights include learning the area model in maths for multiplying two-digit numbers by two-digit numbers, starting our new book in English, "The Misadventures of Frederick", and starting to look at art inspired by Picasso. They completed some continuous line sketches in art. This was tricky at the start but turned into a massive success as the children challenged themselves to create more complicated art pieces.

Elm

This week in Elm class we started our Inuit art unit. Looking at Arctic artists. We then used stencils and sponges to create our own.

R2L

This week in R2L we have been focusing on the power of words and how one little word can change a mood. For example, "chocolate!" how does this word make you feel? Hungry? Warm? Fuzzy?  Equally, saying kind words to each other such as "hello, thank you, I'm sorry, are you ok?" can also  be positive mood changers. The magic of words is that by saying kind things to others can not only make them feel good, but it can also make you feel good!

Children in R2L practised kind words by complimenting each other and also by creating a kind word tree. We also took advantage of the fluttering of snow and enjoyed snowy activities.

Christmas Week

Maple

Rowan

Sycamore

Aspen

Elm

Beyond the Beat

Marvellous Minstead

Sycamore

Sycamore Class visited Minstead Study Centre. They enjoyed exploring the site and beyond. They are a lovely group of children and it was a pleasure to be on residential with them. For parents of children in Sycamore Class there are more photos on Google Classroom.

Birch

Birch class have finished learning how to work out our 3, 4 and 8 times tables. We now need to learn these times tables so that we can recall them quickly. The children have had a go at Mr Curran's maths video game to help them remember these times tables.

 In geography we have looked at our local area and seen how land is being used, categorising it based on what it is used for. We have learnt several new words to do this, such as residential, agricultural and urban.

Maple

As part of their DT topic, Shade and Shelter, Year 1 children have been designing and making pet shelters. They have selected materials that will be waterproof and have tested them by leaving their pet shelters (pets inside!) out in the rain. I hope that they stay dry!

Year R children have been making thank you cards for a family member to show their appreciation as part of their PSHE 'Belonging' unit. What super writing, Year R!

Aspen

This week Aspen class have been diving into their learning about the Earth and Space. In Geography they have been exploring maps and the relative distance and location between cities. In Science they have been exploring how ancient civilisations believed the Earth was flat, and how scientists discovered the curvature of the Earth and the idea that the Earth was actually a sphere. Through completing a simple experiment, they were able to see just how the orbit of the Earth can impact how much we can see with mere observation.

Elm

Elm class the children were making a spinach pesto pasta sauce, they each prepared the ingredients using the method as instructed.

Let the Christmas festivities begin…

Maple

Maple Class have been extremely busy rehearsing their Christmas performance, 'Wriggly Nativity'. They have worked very hard to learn all the songs and look fantastic in their outfits. For those of you who have seen it - we hope that you enjoyed the show!

Rowan

In art, Rowan have been thinking about still life and how to create still life art with different methods. The children had to sketch a candle, make some grapes out of clay and paint a vase of flowers. The children can't wait to compose and paint their own still life paintings next week. 

Year 2 also loved being the choir for Maple's nativity this week - they practised hard and looked amazing in their costumes!

Birch

Birch class have been looking at wildlife recently. They have looked into animal classifications and have now begun to look at nature around us. This week they have been investigating the pond.

Sycamore and Aspen

We had a fantastic time at the Christmas Fair - Thank you Friends of Stanmore

Elm

 This week in Elm we had the pleasure of attending a sheep and ox heart dissection at Winchester College ahead of our science unit - Circulatory System. The children were engaged and got to explore the different aspects of the heart with some even being confident enough to have a feel themselves!

Shapes, Stomp and Speak Out Stay Safe!

Maple

Children in Maple Class Y1 have been learning about 3D shapes. They were challenged to build the tallest tower that they could and talk about which shapes were the best for tower building. 

In Year R, children are showing off their phonics skills by spelling words and learning about circles and triangles in maths.

Rowan

This week Rowan have been working hard to count the sides and vertices of 2D shapes. The children had lots of fun making the shapes in different ways and making patterns with them. Whilst they were doing this, they noticed that the number of sides a 2D shape has is the same as the number of vertices

Birch

In science, Birch have been thinking about animals with different types of skeletons. We learnt about vertebrates and invertebrates and thought about how we can identify animals with endoskeletons and exoskeletons before sorting some unknown animals into groups

Sycamore

This week, Sycamore Class have transformed into musical maestros! They have used their junk modelling instruments to channel the skills of “Stomp: The Musical” to join together to form a band to create a short musical arrangement. 

Aspen

This week Aspen class has a special visit from the NSPCC, learning about how to speak out and stay safe. It was a valuable visit and inspired the children to use their voice and encourage others to speak out and stay safe. We always encourage children to have five trusted adults that they can speak to about their worries or concerns. They were incredible during the session. 

We also had a wonderful trip to Winchester College this week to have a wildlife talk from the Hawk Conservancy Trust. Once again, their behaviour was impeccable during the visit. 

Elm

This week in year 6 we have been drawing on our Maafa knowledge and connecting this with our Trailblazer artwork. The children researched Maafa inspired artwork or took inspiration from other trailblazer artists to create their own. Some children used red, black and green portrayed in 'Union Black'  whilst others used 'No Woman, No Cry' by Chris Ofili.