In the Spring Term to compliment the African topic, the children take part in an African Drumming workshop led by Inspire-Works. The rhythms and patterns learned are then continued into the weekly music lessons and in the past groups of children have performed a drumming composition in the African Performance at the end of term.
At the beginning of the summer term Year 3 take part in a cross-curricular educational, fun and exciting visit to the Celtic Harmony village outside Hertford to experience how people lived in Iron Age times. Celtic Harmony is an Iron Age style village in a peaceful woodland setting. The team there guide the children through a series of hands on activities.
During the summer term as a continuation of their History and R.E studies Year 3 visit St. Alban's Abbey to walk the path Alban took on his way to being martyred. They meet the education team who lead them through a series of activities including brass rubbing and walking The Monastery Trail when they role play, discuss and sing their prepared Gregorian chant.
During Activity Week at the end of June the Year 3 children either walk the Chesham Trail where they see the sights and hear the stories related to the history of Chesham, all of which they have learned about in History and Geography lessons. Those who feel more adventurous walk the first part of the Ridgeway (11 ½ miles from Wendover to Ivinghoe Beacon) learning more about the Celts and Romans and their trade route and living conditions.
Included in the Activity Week is a ‘Walk Like an Egyptian' workshop. This is a fantastic way to explore the topic as the children ‘go on an archaeological dig', investigate the make-up and jewellery worn by both men and women, barter for good, discover the book of the dead and much more.
Year 4
In the Autumn Term Year 4 children visit the Mop End Field Studies Centre to consolidate and continue their geography topic on rivers. This involves classroom work at the centre then a visit to the River in Chesham and to Scotsbridge Mill in Rickmansworth. This very practical day involves pond dipping, analysis and various river investigations.
During the term that each Year 4 class studies Islam in R.E the children visit the Chesham Mosque. There they discuss Islam with a Muslim and have the opportunity to discuss the similarities and differences with Christianity. The tour of the mosque shows them how Muslims prepare to pray, where they pray and the Koran.
In the autumn term as a continuation of our History topic we have a visit from some Romans who show us numerous artefacts and tell exciting stories about how people lived, worked and played two thousand years ago. In the afternoon more Romans join to teach and lead us through the Roman military, even teaching a little bit of Latin and finishing with spear throwing competition.
The Year 4 day at The Natural History Museum in London consolidates the spring term Science Rocks and Soils topic. The children visit a variety of galleries and spend time in a laboratory with one of the museum's teachers, learning more and experiencing different rocks and minerals.
During Activity Week Year 4 visit The National Gallery in London to view the various works of art. As part of their visit they are guided as to how to analyse paintings with the help of a teacher from the gallery. This is a truly wonderful day and frequently the children leave awed, amazed and inspired by what they have experienced.
Another visit during Activity Week is to Wendover Woods where the children partake in orienteering, shelter building and collage making with the natural materials they find. This is an interesting day where the children discover more about plants and the environment. The shelter building is great for team building with each child taking on a different role. The finished shelter is tested for its waterproofing qualities.
During Activity Week we are visited by some Vikings who encourage us to learn and think more about how people lived one thousand years ago. We all dress up and in the past Thor Hamson, our Viking visitor talked about his clothes and very heavy helmet. We learn much about how they lived one thousand years ago and how bloodthirsty the Vikings were who fought in ferocious battles. The day finishes spectacularly with a (friendly, safe) battle!