Bishop Pursglove C of E Primary School

Reach Higher, Think Deeper, Love Wider

Class Photographs

2024-2025

To celebrate World Book Day 2025, we decided to wear our pyjamas and work together to complete a School Book Trail, based on "The Leaf Thief" by Alice Hemming. We worked with Opal Class, and enjoyed guiding the younger children around the School Grounds - reading extracts of the story to them and completing several challenges along the way!

We predicted who had stolen Squirrel's leaf, but were surprised to find it was actually the Wind.

Back in Class, in Guided Reading, we have been studying: "The Wreck of the Zanzibar" by former Children's Laureate, Michael Morpurgo. It is a book that was read to our Teacher (Mr Downings), when he was in Year 5 at school. Set in 1907, it is the diary of a young farmer's daughter (Laura Perryman), who lives on that small island Bryher, in the Scilly Isles, off the coast of Cornwall. Laura desperately wants to be like her twin brother Billy, who sails off to America, before returning unexpectedly on a ship later wrecked off the island called 'Zanzibar'. In the book, Laura rescues a stranded Sea Turtle, and we used this as inspiration to create our own artwork.

As part of the day, we also had the opportunity to create our favourite book character(s) at home, out of paper plates for a competition. Each Class' winning entries received a brand new book.

Well Done to everyone who participated in our fantastic World Book Day activities!

Year 5 + 6: World Book Day 2025 (06.03.2025)

As part of National Reading Week 2025, we have had the opportunity to read extracts from our favourite books to our friends in class, with growing confidence and expression.

In Golden Time, we were also able to come together with other members of our School Community, to read and share different books that we like. Some of us chose to read with our friends, other teachers, or even younger pupils.

To celebrate Reading aloud in front of others (which we know some people can find quite challenging), we received Reading Certificates and Prizes.

Reading can be done anytime, anywhere, and can be a good way to relax, unwind or even develop our imaginations - What sort of Books do you like to Read?

Year 5 + 6: National Reading Week (03.02.2025 - 07.02.2025)

As a reward for achieving our 100 Marble Target, for our Class Treat we chose to design and make our own fruit smoothies. We recapped aspects of Basic Food Hygiene that we had learnt last year during our Sow, Grow and Farm, Creativity Topic, and used what we had learnt to make our smoothies from a list of selected ingredients.

We carefully cut fruits such as: Banana, Strawberry, Blackberry, Blueberry and Raspberry and blended ingredients together with different fruit juices, milk or natural yoghurt, in order to make our delicious drinks - Cheers!

Year 5 + 6: Marble Treat - Making Smoothies (30.01.2025)

In PE, as part of our Dance Unit, we have been learning about the techniques used in Contemporary Dance.

We have studied how we can use our bodies to show the dynamics of expression, and looked at the routines performed by contestants on this year's BBC Series: Strictly Come Dancing.

Using some of the contemporary routines featured as inspiration, we split into small groups and practised our sequences.

What techniques can you see?

Year 5 + 6: PE - Contemporary Dance (Expressive) Sequences (18.12.2024)

Year 5 + 6: PE - Contemporary Dance (Expressive) Dance Sequences (18.12.2024)

A Video Clip showing Pupils using Expression to tell the Story of the Music: Waiting For.

Pupils discussed the dynamics used to 'Show' the Music, and practised their chosen Phrase Sequences in Small Groups using techniques such as: Action and Reaction, Mirroring and Balance, Repetition, different Formations, Levels, Pathways and Contact.

As part of our Creativity Unit: Britain At War, we have been studying how British people rationed goods during the Blitz, in order to survive the conflict. Surprisingly, we found that clothing materials, as well as food items were in short supply, as soldiers uniforms needed to be manufactured as a matter of urgency in order to support the War Effort.

In Design + Technology, we have completed our 'Make Do and Mend' challenge. After looking at adverts and cine-film from the 1940's, we have studied how people were encouraged to turn old items into something else, and reuse materials rather than buy new.

Practising our Running, Whip and Blanket stitches, we then designed and created our own Bookmarks and Pencil Cases using templates, and created them out of felt and fabric pieces, which we measured and cut down to size.

Year 5 + 6: Design + Technology - Make Do + Mend (10.12.2024 + 17.12.2024)

As part of our Topic: Britain At War, we have also conducted a Local History Study, investigating how the local Spa Town of Buxton, was affected by the Second World War, and how it has changed since 1945 and the present day.

We already know about the War's links to our own Village Community, and how the RAF's 617 'Dambusters' Squadron used the Derwent Dams to practice for their raids on Germany in 1943, from earlier in our Topic, but did not realise how important the nearby town of Buxton was.

During our study, we have researched significant local landmarks in the town, such as The Devonshire Dome/University of Derby (formally The Devonshire Royal Hospital), and discovered that many e.g. The Empire Hotel and Buxton Hydropathic Hotel, which was used to station and treat troops during the First & Second World War, no longer exist.

As part of our visit, we took at guided tour through the town and recorded information and observations about what we had noticed. Some shops from the Victorian Era (Potters, and Hargreaves & Son) still continue to serve the town's population.

We also took part in a Second World War Workshop at Buxton Crescent run by Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust. We learnt how the Buxton Mountain Rescue helped to locate and rescue stranded airmen around Derbyshire, The secret RAF ammunitions base at RAF Harpur Hill, and how the town supported evacuees from Guernsey's Elizabeth College at White Hall (now an Outdoor Centre).

In addition, the workshop complemented our learning in School, about how the town's rural location in the centre of England, it's Hotels and Spa Water was ideal to help treat different physical and mental ailments affecting soldiers and other military personnel during the First + Second World War. We have also learnt about the importance of Buxton's LNWR + Midland Railways, in transporting troops and Jewish Refugees to the town in safety, and how Buxton during the war had a thriving Jewish Community.

Chaim Herzog (The First President of the State of Israel) even visited his friends, who were living in Buxton on Macclesfield Road, whilst he was a refugee living in Matlock!

We also discovered that many Italian and German POW's (Prisoners of War) were held in POW Camps near to the town, and that many decided to stay here after the War had ended.

Year 5 + 6: Buxton Local History Visit (04.12.2024)

Members of Year 5 + 6, who take part in the School's Eco-Council, presented information about their chosen fund-raising charity this year: A local Hedgehog Rescue Centre, during Collective Worship.

With the help of Mrs Mallender, and Andrea, the Eco-Council will be raising money through the proceeds of a stall at the School Christmas Fayre on Friday 13th December 2024.

* At the Christmas Fayre, members of the Eco-Council raised £75 for the Hedgehog Rescue Centre. Well Done Everyone!

Year 5 + 6: Eco-Council - Hedgehog Rescue Centre (03.12.2024)

This Term, our School Community has been busy raising money to help improve our Outdoor Learning Environment.

The School Council, with the help of Mrs Craig, Mr Sheppeck and the Friends of School Association, have decided to raise funds to build a new Outdoor Learning Classroom Area, and develop the Woodland around the School so that it can be used to support the learning opportunities for all pupils and staff here at Bishop Pursglove. The School has also recently been successful in securing a Grant Application to help support this.

We invited our Parents/Guardians into School and together we took part in a Sponsored Walk around the local area, followed by singing Christmas Carols with the School Choir, Coffee and Mince Pies in the Hall.

Well done to everyone who helped to support this event. We managed to raise nearly £1100!

*Our Christmas Fayre, held on Friday 13th December 2024, also raised £654 towards this fantastic cause.

Year 5 + 6: Sponsored Walk + Christmas Carols

As part of our Bees, Beetles + Butterflies, Art and Design Project, we have been looking at different insects and developing our observational drawing skills. Using this, we then created our own mixed media collages of our favourite insects, using a variety of different materials.

Year 5 + 6: Art + Design - Bees, Beetles & Butterflies Artwork Challenge (24.10.2024)

In Science, we have been learning about Light Theory, and investigated how light travels in straight lines. We found out that light reflects off a smooth reflective surface and at the same angle it hits it.

Furthermore, we have looked at the Electromagnetic Spectrum and how the human eye processes visible light. We then carried out an experiment using coloured images to test how our Rod and Cone Cells along our retina perceive colours. We then shared our results with each other to see if we saw the same colour and our eyes worked in the same way - we found out that some of us saw slightly different colours to our friends.

Year 5 + 6: Science - Light Investigation (03.10.2024)

In Creativity, as part of our Topic: Britain At War, we have been looking at how Britain prepared itself for the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939.

We have looked at how Britain had learnt lessons from the Great War (1914-1918), and introduced national measures such as: Rationing, Evacuation and Gas Masks, in order to protect the civilian population from advances in technology and the might of Hitler's infamous Luftwaffe (air force), which had wrecked havoc across mainland Europe, through its successful Blitzkrieg tactics.

By destroying the airfields and important communication networks of countries they wished to invade, the Nazis were able to force a quicker surrender. Poland had surrendered by the end of September 1939, Belgium, Norway and France had also fallen by May 1940, leaving Britain isolated and alone.

After also agreeing an non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union, Hitler was now ready to turn his attention to the invasion of Britain (Operation Sealion). The Battle of Britain, could now begin...

Year 5 + 6: How Britain Prepared for the Outbreak of the Second World War Presentations (26.09.2024)

Year 5 + 6 pupils took part in our annual Football Festival. We had a fantastic time working as teams and showing good sportsmanship to our opponents - whether we won or lost. Many of us were also taken out of our comfort zone playing football competitively for the first time, and really enjoyed it!

We did fantastically well with all three of our School Team's reaching the Semi-Finals. Two even played each other for a place in the final.

In a nail-biting final, which ended 1-1, Bishop Pursglove Team C narrowly beat Bishop Pursglove Team A in a sudden-death Penalty Shootout 5-4.

Well done to everyone who took part!

Year 5 + 6: Football Festival (19.09.2024)

In PSHE, we have welcomed representatives from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, into School to discuss Fire Hazards and Safety.

As part of the Workshop, we reviewed the Fire Triangle and talked about how Fuel, Heat and Oxygen are needed to create a fire. We also completed activities (including a jigsaw) to identify Fire Hazards in the home, and what to do to help prevent them.

Thank you to Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, for taking the time to come and speak to us!

To introduce our Topic: Britain At War, we visited our local Village War Memorial, where we identified names of local service personnel who fought and died during the First and Second World Wars. Some of us, were even able to identify our own relatives on the Memorial.

Back in Class, we used Internet Resources including: the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and A Street Near You Website, to research the history behind the names we identified. We were surprised at just how much information we could find from a Name, Date or Regimental Number!

We presented our research in our Writing Books, and some of us were also able to bring in War artefacts such as Ration Books, Gas Masks, Medals or information about our relatives from home. Archie showed us a genuine Iron Cross, that one of his relatives took from a German Soldier they had killed during the First World War.

We have really enjoyed investigating aspects of our local history, and can't wait to see what else we discover throughout the rest of this term!

Year 5 + 6: Derbyshire Fire Safety Workshop (16.09.2024)

Tideswell War Memorial Visit + Military History in our School Community (12.09.2024)

2023-2024

During our 'Sow, Grow and Farm' topic in Creativity, we have been learning about the benefits of eating and growing seasonal produce. As part of our studies, we have investigated foods that are currently in season across the UK and developed our own 'Seasonal Growing Calendars' using our research from the BBC Good Food Website.

We also created our own Pizza toppings based on Seasonality, and evaluated and refined our final choices, before making them using our knowledge and understanding of Basic Food Hygiene.

Year 6: Design + Technology - Creating and Making Pizzas with Seasonal Toppings (17.07.2024)

In June, to celebrate our achievements this year, we went on a fantastic outdoor Residential Visit to White Hall. During the visit, we bravely completed tasks which involved working as a team, taking risks and challenging ourselves. Some of us also learnt how to make our own beds properly!

We really enjoyed Canoeing on Combs Reservoir, in the Goyt Valley, and Rock Scrambling over The Roaches, near Leek.

Year 6: White Hall Residential Visit (05.06.2024 - 07.06.2024)

In Art + Design, we have been studying the work of the Inuits (Indigineous people of the North American and Canadian Arctic Region).

Artwork made by the Inuit includes: pictures, carvings, sculptures and prints. Animals, cultural myths and legends are the main sources of inspiration. However, Printmaking is a more recent addition to Inuit Art, which began in the late 1950's with the help of James Houston, a Canadian artist and government administrator. At first, stonecuts were used to print images. Later, stencils were used.

We used the stencilling technique by drawing our Inuit inspired design onto white card. We then applied paint using our chosen colour combinations over the cut out design, to create an image on the surface below. Inuit Artists use stencils to add detail to stonecut prints or to make several versions of their original drawings.

Today, Inuit Artwork is extremely popular. It is displayed in art galleries and sold all over the world. Famous Inuit artists include: Jessie Oonark, Karoo Ashevak, David Ruben Piqtoukun, Lucy Tasseor Tutsweetok and Pitseolak Ashoona. In 1960, Inuit Artist Kenojuak Ashevak, made a print of an owl called 'The Enchanted Owl'. It features a stylised owl with a spotted body and long, fanning feathers and was made using a stonecut on paper printing technique. The design became a commemorative stamp for Canada in 1970.

Year 6: Art + Design - Inuit Soap Sculptures (13.03.2024)

As part of our 'Frozen Kingdoms' topic in Creativity, we have been looking at how Icebergs are formed and how they travel into shipping lanes across the World's Northern and Southern Oceans. Through our History study of the Titanic, we have also learnt about the catastrophic consequences Icebergs can cause. We then conducted our own experiments to investigate how Icebergs react in different types of water (Freshwater and Saltwater). We chose these types of water because Saltwater is like that seen in the world's oceans e.g. the Arctic Ocean and Southern Ocean.

Year 6: Science - Iceberg Investigation (01.03.2024)

In Design and Technology, as part of our Engineer Unit, we have been looking at Bridge Design and how they are constructed based on different facts such as: size, wind force, span and economy of materials. The main types of Bridge are - Suspension, Truss, Arched and Beam Bridges.

We have been investigating how to strengthen bridges and distribute the mass of loads by using triangles to bolster key points on our bridges. Working in teams, we designed our own bridges out of: Paper, Masking Tape and Art Straws, and looked at how to incorporate triangular strengthening techniques before testing their strength using weights.

Year 6: Design + Technology - Strengthening Bridges (09.02.2024 + 12.02.2024)

As part of our Creativity Unit: Britain At War, we have been studying how British people rationed goods during the Blitz, in order to survive the conflict. To our surprise, we found that clothing materials, as well as food items were in short supply, as soldiers uniforms needed to be manufactured as a matter of urgency.

Practising our Running, Whip and Blanket stitches, we designed and created our own Bookmarks and Pencil Cases using templates.

Year 6: Design + Technology - Make Do + Mend (11.12.2023 + 12.12.2023)

During the Autumn Term, in Music we have made our own musical compositions based on 'Happy' by Pharrell Williams.

After appraising the song and vocalising the lyrics at different tempos, we created our own compositions using varied pitches of note combinations on a glockenspiel.

Some of us even wrote our compositions using musical notation on a Stave.

We also played our compositions as a solo to the melody, as table groups and a class ensemble.

Year 6: Music - 'Happy' Pharrell Williams Compositions (20.11.2023 + 27.11.2023)

Year 6: Art + Design - Mixed Media Collages (08.11.2023)

Year 6: Science - Light Investigation (27.09.2023)

Year 6 pupils took part in our annual Football Festival. We had a fantastic time working as teams and showing good sportsmanship to our opponents - whether we won or lost. Many of us were also taken out of our comfort zone playing football competitively for the first time, and really enjoyed it!

One of Bishop Pursglove's teams were Runner's Up - narrowly beaten by Great Longstone 2-1 in the Final.

Well done to everyone who took part.

Year 6: Football Tournament (21.09.2023)

2022-2023

In June, to celebrate our achievements this year, we went on a fantastic outdoor Residential Visit to Hollowford. During the visit, we bravely completed tasks which involved working as a team, taking risks and challenging ourselves. Some of us also learnt how to make our own beds properly!

We really enjoyed Canoeing on Fernilee Reservoir, in the Goyt Valley, and Rock Scrambling over Higgar Torr, near Hathersage.

Year 6: Hollowford Residential Visit (19.06.2023 - 21.06.2023)

As part of our 'Sow, Grow and Farm' topic in Creativity, we visited Tideswell Allotments in order to investigate the amenities it has to serve the local community.

With help of our brilliant guide Mrs Clements, we learnt how people shared resources and equipment, as well as learning how plot owners improve soil quality and drainage using raised beds and natural fertiliser (manure) off local farmers around the village.

Some plot owners also keep chickens to provide fresh eggs!

Using our notes and observations, we then wrote a conclusion about how well the Allotment serves the village - taking into account it's location, and on-site amenities such as running water.

A huge thank you to Mrs Clements and Tideswell Allotment Association for all their help in allowing us to access the plots.

Year 6: Tideswell Allotment Visit (08.06.2023)

We also created our our Pizza toppings based on Seasonality, and evaluated and refined our final choices, before making them using our knowledge and understanding of Basic Food Hygiene.

Year 6: Making Pizzas with Seasonal Toppings (25.05.2023)

The two most successful bridges were of a Truss design and held 5.7kg.

All our bridges in total, managed to hold a combined mass of 22.5kg.

Year 6: Strengthening Bridges (21.04.2023)

As part of our RE Curriculum, we visited The Open Centre, in Derby, where we took part in faith workshops to further develop our understanding of Hinduism. During the visit, we made delicious chick-pea purris from Chapati flour and chopped and cooked the ingredients with the support of our fantastic helpers. This was a new culinary experience for some of us.

We also observed prayers at the nearby Hindu Temple. Our guide Shain, told us about the different aspects of Hindu Prayer and the importance of the bell during the service. We also received a sweet gift from the temple's Pujari (Priest).

We would like to thank the staff at The Open Centre, for a wonderful experience.

Year 6: Derby Open Centre Visit (20.04.2023)

Many of us in Ruby Class, have taken part in Bishop Pursglove's Annual Easter Egg Decorating Competition. Below are some of our fantastic designs - including some competition winners in the Key Stage 2 category.

A massive well done to everyone who took part!

Year 6: Easter Egg Decorating Competition 2023

As part of our Inuit Art project, we have looked at Inuit Carvings.

The Inuit have a long tradition of being expert carvers. Carvings include: tools, weapons and decorative items, such as animals and figurines. Common materials used in Inuit carving include bone, ivory, stone and wood. The carvings can be in a variety of sizes and colours. Using video clips and pictures as our inspiration, we designed our own carvings and created them from bars of soap, using various tools.

It was surprisingly more difficult than it looked!

Year 6: Inuit Soap Sculptures (30.03.2023)

In Art + Design, we have been studying the work of the Inuits (Indigineous people of the North American and Canadian Arctic Region).

Year 6: Inuit Art Prints (28.03.2023)

To celebrate World Book Day 2023, we used the book 'One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth' by Nicola Davies, as inspiration for our (animal themed) costumes! We created first person narratives - from the point of view of endangered animals around the World - to highlight the positive and negative impacts of humans on our planet. We discussed the effects of Climate Change and how we can help reduce it by making small changes to how we live e.g. recycling, use less energy (fossil fuels). We also made lots links with our current topic: Frozen Kingdoms, where we are studying life in the Polar Regions.

Year 6: World Book Day 2023

Practising our Running and Blanket stitches, we designed and created our own Bookmarks and Pencil Cases using templates.

Year 6: Design + Technology - Make Do and Mend (09.01.2023 - 13.01.2023)

In PSHE this term, we have taken part in the DAaRT (Drug, Alcohol and Resilience Training) Programme, run by Life Skills Education Charity from Nottingham. Over the last ten weeks, we have taken part in a variety of workshops with our DAaRT officer Mr Appleyard, covering topics such as: How to deal with Stress, Dangers of Alcohol, Knife Crime and Drugs and Substance Misuse. We have discussed and learnt how to develop Confident Communication Skills and Resistance Strategies to help deal with peer pressure.

We have recorded our experiences in our PSHE Learning Journal. Furthermore, in the last two sessions, we created our DAaRT Reports, where we identified what we have learnt over the duration of the programme and how we can use these skills in the future at Secondary School, and in later life. We then presented these reports to the class and received our DAaRT Graduation Certificates.

A big thank you to Mr Appleyard for all of his help and support throughout the term, and well done everyone!

Year 6: PSHE - DAaRT Programme 2022

In Music, we have been composing our own melodies to Pharrell Williams' hit song 'Happy'. Using the notes A, B and G on our Glockenspiels, we created eight rounds of our own four beat bars.

Working as a whole ensemble, tables, and individually we found the pulse of the music and were able to maintain our tempo with the beat.

Year 6: Music - Composing Melodies (02.12.2022 + 09.12.2022)

Edward has taken part in the Bakewell Primestock Cattle Show, with other farmers around the local area and won a magnificent 3rd Prize!

Well done Edward - we hope you are very proud of your award.

Edward Wins in Bakewell Primestock Cattle Show

During Maths Week 2022, we have been using tubes of Smarties and knowledge from our recent work on fractions to carry out practical mathematical investigations.

Using the Smarties and our learning we found: Equivalent Fractions for different colours; Simplified Fractions; Added and Subtracted Fractions and identified Fractions of Amounts.

We also did some pre-learning about how to turn our fractions into decimals and percentages, which will help us in our Maths lessons after Christmas.

Year 6: Maths Week - Smarties Fractions Investigation

Ruby Class have kindly nominated Mr Downings, as Teacher of the Week in a National News Magazine: This Week Junior.

We have nominated him for his continued help and support in preparing us for our KS2 SATs.

Thank you and well done Mr Downings!

Year 6: Mr Downings Nominated as This Week Junior's: Teacher of the Week!

As part of our Britain At War topic, we have joined other members of our school community to remember those in HM Armed Forces that have lost their lives in service to the United Kingdom, in conflicts around the world. As part of Remembrance Day, we have also designed our own poppy cards using tissue paper.

Remembrance Day (11.11.2022)

In Science, we have been learning about Light Theory, and investigated how light travels in straight lines. We found out that light reflects off a smooth reflective surface ant the same angle it hits it.

Year 6: Science - Light Investigation (10.11.2022 + 14.11.2022)

Ruby Class have visited Church to see the wonderful displays created by artists from around the country, celebrating our planet and the impacts Climate Change. We had to work in groups to spot different features on the banners around St. John's - we got them all!

Reverend Simon then presented us with a banner to hang in school for the duration of the exhibition. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the display.

Year 6: Experience Church (31.10.2022)

Year 6 have been working as Investigative Historians, evaluating the different causes of the Second World War and justifying why we think they were significant in causing war to breakout on 3rd September 1939.

We have looked at the impact of the Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919 following the end of the First World War, which severely punished Germany (Reparations, seizure of land, reduction in armed forces) and led to the rise of the Nazi Party during the 1920's and 1930's. We also looked at the impact that Adolf Hitler himself had on the outbreak of war. For example, his charisma as a fantastic orator, his disregard of the sanctions set out in the Treaty of Versailles. Also, we investigated Britain's policy of Appeasement, and how the reality of events in mainland Europe reduced its influence.

Year 6: Evaluating the Causes of the Second World War

As part of our Britain at War topic, we've been learning about the conditions soldiers faced on the first line in both the First and Second World Wars. Many of us have personal connections at home from people who have experienced conflict, whether this has been over 80 years ago, or more recently, through family members currently serving in the Armed Forces or class members that have arrived in Britain due to the conflict in the Ukraine.

Below, some of our class have brought in artefacts from the First and Second World War (including James - who brought in his Great Grandfather's prosthetic arm from WW1!) Many thanks to everyone at home who have allowed the children to talk about their artefacts and enriching our learning in classroom.

Creativity - Britain At War Artefact Discussion

In Maths, Year 6 have been investigating the difference between Square and Cubed Numbers. We have been using manipulatives such as multi-link cubes to test whether a number is cubed.

We found that a cubed number is the product of a number multiplied by itself three times e.g. 3 x 3 x 3 = 27. The first five cubed numbers are: 1 (1 x 1 x 1), 8 (2 x 2 x 2), 27 (3 x 3 x 3), 64 (4 x 4 x 4) and 125 (5 x 5 x 5).

Square Numbers are products of a number multiplied by itself twice e.g. 9 x 9 = 81. The squared numbers up to 100 are:

1 (1 x 1), 4 (2 x 2), 9, (3 x 3), 16, (4 x 4), 25 (5 x 5), 36 (6 x 6), 49 (7 x 7), 64 (8 x 8), 81 (9 x 9) and 100 ( 10 x 10).

Charlie says: "Square numbers always have an odd number of factors because one of its factors doesn't have a pair as it is multiplied by itself."

Year 6 - Maths: Investigating the Difference between Square and Cubed Numbers (13.10.2022)

Pupils in Year 6 took part in our annual Football Festival. We had a fantastic time working as teams and showing good sportsmanship to our opponents - whether we won or lost. Many of us were also taken out of our comfort zone playing football competitively for the first time, and really enjoyed it!

One of Bishop Pursglove's teams were victorious in the Girl's event, while our Boy's team narrowly lost out in their Semi-Final against Bakewell 2-0!

Well done to everyone who took part.

Year 6: Football Tournament (22.09.2022)

2021-2022

We really enjoyed Canoeing on Coombs Reservoir, in Chapel-en-le Frith, and Rock Scrambling over The Roaches, near Leek.

Year 6: White Hall Residential Visit (15.06.2022 - 17.06.2022)

In Science, as part of our Companion Project about the Circulatory System, we have been learning about the Blood, and how it flows around the Human Body. As part of our research, we have looked at the differences in the three main types of blood vessel: arteries, veins and capillaries.

As these vessels each have a different function and are designed with varying thicknesses and openings (lumen), we investigated which type of vessel allows blood to flow quicker. Planning a fair test to keep the variables the same, we used two different types of tubing, polystyrene cups and blood (water and red food colouring thickened with syrup to improve viscosity). We then measured the time taken using a stopwatch and repeated the experiment to ensure accuracy.

To record our results with precision, we plotted a line graph and calculated the mean time for each vessel.

Creativity - Blood Flowrate Investigation (04.03.2022)

To celebrate World Book Day 2022, we used the book 'When I Grow Up' by Jon Hales, as inspiration for our costumes. We created poetry - using the rhyming pattern from the story - about our own aspirations about what we would like to be when we are older. As part of our learning, we discussed that it is perfectly fine to be unsure about what we want to do when we leave school and that we can change our minds about the jobs we would like to do in the future - even adults sometimes decide to change career!

Year 5 + 6: World Book Day 2022 (03.03.2022)

In addition to our Maafa Topic - exploring the effects of Enslavement and 'The African Holocaust' - we have been looking at the work of several prominent Black artists, who have been inspired by the social, economic and historic struggles of Black Africans around the world. We then upscaled and recreated our own versions of their artwork as part of our Creativity lessons, using tone and shade to help bring them to life!

Creativity - Trialblazers Art (07.02.2022 + 14.02.2022)

As part of our Dynamic Dynasties topic, we have been studying Taotie Art designs used to decorate and emblazon masks, bronze sculptures and other artefacts of Ancient Chinese Civilisations. We sculptured our designs into clay using a variety of printing materials and painted them in bold watercolour paints.

Creativity - Taotie Mask Designs (20.12.2021 + 21.12.2021)

Pupils in Year 5 + 6 took part in our annual Football Festival. We had a fantastic time working as teams and showing good sportsmanship to our opponents - whether we won or lost. Many of us were also taken out of our comfort zone playing football competitively for the first time, and really enjoyed it!

One of Bishop Pursglove's teams were victorious in the Boys event, while one of our Girl's teams came a respectable 3rd Place!

Well done to everyone who took part.

Year 5 + 6: Football Tournament (14.10.2021)

2020-2021

At the end of June, to celebrate our achievements this year, we went on a fantastic outdoor activity visit to Dukes Barn on the Chatsworth Estate. During the visit, we completed tasks which involved working as a team, and challenging ourselves.

We really enjoyed Canoeing on the Emperor Lake at Chatsworth, and Abseiling down the 80 foot Viaduct at Millers Dale!

Year 5 + 6: Dukes Barn Outdoor Activity Day (25.06.2021)

In Creativity, as part of our Alchemy Island topic, we have been looking at how the crystals found in Crystal Hedge Forest, increase in mass when they are submerged in water over time.

At regular time intervals of five minutes, we observed how much the crystals had increased in mass by weighing them using a set of sensitive scales.

We recorded our results and presented them using a line graph. We noticed that the rate in which the mass increased, slowed down as time progressed.

Creativity - Recording Changes in Crystal Mass over Time (13.05.2021 + 14.05.2021)

As part of our Alchemy Island topic, in Creativity, we have been studying the properties of different materials that we have found during our quest across this mystical land. We have classified them according to their state, transparency, electrical conductivity and magnetism. Using the knowledge we have learned, we decided to create an experiment to test the solubility of materials in water. During this fair test, we looked at how materials such as: salt, sugar, vegetable oil and yeast, dissolved in hot and cold water.

We hypothesised that some materials would dissolve easier in hot water due to the heat. In addition, we recorded our observations in a table.

Creativity - Solubility Investigation (10.05.2021)

In our 'Pharaohs' topic, as part of our Creativity programme of study, we have been investigating the Mummification process and how the Ancient Egyptians prepared the dead for the afterlife. We have looked at how small charms called cartouches, containing the pharaoh's name, were placed on the mummified body (inside the sarcophagus) in order to provide protection to the soul and ward off evil.

Using photographs of artefacts found inside the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, we designed and created our own cartouches out of modelling clay. We decorated our intricate designs using hieroglyphs which spelt out our own names or initials.

Which cartouche design is your favourite?

Creativity - Egyptian Cartouches (11.12.2020 + 17.12.2020)

During our 'Sow, Grow and Farm' topic in Creativity, we have been looking at how plants reproduce. We have looked at how some plants reproduce using Sexual Reproduction - through pollinators such as Bees and Butterflies - to create variation, and how some use Asexual Reproduction - through tubers or bulbs - in order to produce genetically identical offspring.

We also carefully dissected flowering plants in order to identify it's sexual reproductive parts e.g. Stigma, Style, Anther, Filament.

The Carpel (Stigma, Style and Ovary) is the female part of a flowering plant.

The Stamen (Filament and Anther) is the male part of a flowering plant.

Creativity - Sow, Grow and Farm: Flowering Plant Dissection (09.10.2020)

As part of our 'Sow, Grow and Farm' topic in Creativity, we visited Tideswell Allotments in order to investigate the amenities it has to serve the local community.

Some plot owners also keep chickens to provide fresh eggs!

Using our notes and observations, we then wrote a conclusion about how well the Allotment serves the village - taking into account it's location, and on-site amenities such as running water.

A huge thank you to Mrs Clements and Tideswell Allotment Association for all their help in allowing us to access the plots.