Geography and History

GEOGRAPHY
In Geography throughout the school each year group follows the QCA Geography units. In KS 2 Geography is taught as a timetabled activity but planned so that there are sometimes links with other parts of the curriculum.
Year 3
The topics that are covered are:
• Investigating our local area
• Weather around the world

To see photos of Year 3 visit to Worthing Beach September 2011 - click here

Year 4
The topics are:
• Settlements and The water cycle
• Weather, place and people
• Environmental change
•  Through our classroom window
Year 5
The topics are:
• Geographical skills – maps/ scales/ grid refernces
• Places and themes
• Land use in the UK – farming and industry

HISTORY
History in Key Stage 2 is taught by the class teachers and follows the topics laid out in the National Curriculum thereby introducing our pupils to a wide range of subjects which cover ancient and modern, British and foreign history.
Year 3:  1.The Anglo-Saxons. 2.The Romans Click here for photos and information on Roman Day Dec 2011. Click here for information on visit to Bignor Roman Villa. 3.The Vikings.  Click here for photos and information about Year 3's work on the Vikings, summer 2011.
Year 4:  1.The Tudors (see below for Mary Rose visit). 2.The Stuarts, 3.The Aztecs.
Year 5:  1.Classical Greece (see below for Greek Icon work), 2.The Victorians (see below for Petworth House visit), 3.The History of Writing.
Year 6:  1.Ancient Egypt Click Here for photos and write-up of Egyptian Feast & Rainbow Theatre Moses, December 2011.
2. The Home Front. Click Here for photos and write-up of visit to Britain at War Experience in London April 2012

Our aim is to use our many resources, including I.T., to interest and enthuse our pupils while introducing them to historical language and the skills specific to this subject.  Where appropriate, the lessons are supported by a wide variety of activities that take us out of the classroom.  These include:-
Trips, eg. 'The Mary-Rose', museums, monuments, London.
Visits from theatre groups.
Parties, eg. V.E.Day celebration.
Producing assemblies.

Year 6 visit the Winston Church Britain at War Experience
Year 6 travelled by train to London to see the Winston Church Britain at War Experience.
Before they saw the exhibition, the children had their lunch in a covered atrium/shopping arcade which was lucky as, by then, it was pouring with rain! After lunch the rain had stopped so they crossed London Bridge to the Monument and, as a surprise to the pupils, they climbed the 331 steps to the top. Back across London Bridge, they entered the Museum and sat through a poignant film about life for the people of London during World War 2. The children then walked slowly through the museum looking at all the exhibits. They were excited to be able to sit in an ‘Anderson’ shelter, although, as it was dark and noisy, they agreed it wasn’t very pleasant. They also tried on several different uniforms of the day plus a gas mask. Further into the museum they came across a scene of desolation where several places had been bombed, with dummies indicating where people were trying to rescue others, burst water mains, (pretend) fires and, unfortunately, a few bodies. It was quite dark and scary.
Emerging into the shop, the children could buy a few souvenirs before heading back to the train station and home.
Click Here for photos and write-up of visit to Britain at War Experience in London April 2012

Year 6 Egyptian Day Egpyptian Feast and Rainbow Theatre Moses
Year 6 have been studying Egyptians. in the autumn term they had a visit from the Rainbow Theatre Company who presented an interactive production of the story of Moses. All the Year 6 pupils dressed up as Egyptians, and took part in the play. Everyone had a great time.
Click Here for photos and write-up of Egyptian Feast & Rainbow Theatre Moses, 2nd December 2011

Year 5 Artwork on Greek Icons
Year Five have been studying Greece. The principal religion, which is followed by the majority of Greeks, is the Orthodox faith. Here, Year Five have made their own icons. Icons play an important part in the decoration of Orthodox churches and as a focus for prayer and meditation by members of the congregation. Icons were first painted in the early years of the Catholic religion and were particularly venerated as an art form by the Eastern Catholics, who became known as Orthodox Christians, when the church split in two after the fall of the Roman Empire. For many years, the centre of the Orthodox Church was Constantinople. Icon art is very particular and, as you can see, Year  Five have managed to capture the stylistic features of this art form and its highly decorative look.  Many famous icons are furnished in precious metals and even jewels.
Click Here to see photos of their artwork

Year 4 Mary Rose Visit
Year 4 visited the Historic Shipyard in Portsmouth Harbour in September to find out more about the sinking of the Mary Rose. They had a most interesting day handling replicas of artefacts lifted from the sea bed, and even re-enacted a gun drill most successfully ‘on board ship’. The children learned a great deal about the lives of sailors and soldiers who were on board when the Mary Rose sank in 1545.

Year 4 Mary Rose Trip Sept 2011

Year 5 pupils visited Petworth House as part of their work on Victorians
Year 5 pupils visited Petworth House for the day, as part of their history studies on the Victorian period. The trip included seeing the old kitchens, the pantries, the Still Room, the underground ice house and some of the rooms in the ‘up-stairs’ part of the house

Yr 5 Petworth May 2011

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