Welcome to the UKS2 Blog for Autumn 2025 

Week beginning 17th November

Welcome to another fun week for Years 5&6!

Topaz enjoyed a jam-packed day of science learning today in order to further their understanding of micro-organisms. The morning began with us making two different doughs - one which contained yeast and one which did not. Topaz predicted what would happen do both doughs over the following ninety minutes, based upon their knowledge from last week's inflating balloon experiment. Whilst the doughs' heights were measured every fifteen minutes, we set to work setting up our next investigation to answer 'which environment causes mould to cultivate the most?'. The children were given the opportunity to plan how to ensure this was a fair test, before each group was given four slices of identical fresh bread. Each slice was placed in a zip-locked freezer bag, labelled and then placed in a different location. The groups will be monitoring the progression of mould over the next two weeks and are looking forward to seeing it grow! 

In addition to a reading comprehension related to our science topic, we also completed accurate line graphs this afternoon to display this morning's dough findings. I hope you enjoy looking at how professional the line graphs look! As predicted, the dough with the yeast in rose due to yeast being a living thing. As it respired, it produced carbon dioxide, which caused the dough to expand. Topaz were scientific superstars today, and should be very proud of their work. 

Week beginning 10th November

UKS2 have enjoyed a busy week of core learning - including a fun science investigation and getting stuck into 'The Last Wild' in English - and marking Remembrance Day with the whole school. 

In today's science lesson, we mixed warm water, yeast and varying amounts of sugar in three bottles. Next, we placed a balloon over the top of each bottle and predicted what might happen! The photographs above show Topaz's results at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes. After observing this for an hour, we were able to conclude that yeast is a living thing, which reacted with (ate!) the sugar. This caused it to respire, producing chemical dioxide gas. As Billy wisely stated: 'The more sugar, the more the yeast respires, making the balloon inflate more.'

After both Mrs Davies and Mrs Yeldham led assemblies focused on Anti-Bullying Week and kindness, our Year 5 and 6 children were enthused to develop their understanding in today's PSHE lessons. We started with a fun circle-time game, where a member of the class left the room and returned to find that two children had swapped places. Whilst some correctly identified the movers, others found this very tricky, leading to a discussion of how we can be visibly different. Following this, we created our own definitions of bullying, before being shown the Anti-Bullying Alliance's description. We held mature conversations about the aggressors and targets, then learnt about the difference between being a bystander and an upstander. The children were asked to move to areas of the room according to whether they agreed, disagreed, or neither agreed nor disagreed with statements about how to tackle bullying before concentrating on this week's slogan of 'Power for Good'. Working in pairs or threes, the children created attractive posters for how we can use our own power to strengthen friendships. Well done, UKS2 - you were mature and brilliant this afternoon!

In our RE lesson this afternoon, we began to explore the eightfold path. The eight sentiments of this path are followed by Buddhists in their everyday life, and Mrs Carson aimed to create eight memorable activities to help Topaz experience these! From finding the truth to resisting evil (and the temptation to steal sweets just casually lying on tables!), Topaz were enthusiastic and happy to interactively learn about these. We enjoyed learning how Buddhists care for animals and would not take a job that could result in injury to others and also explored how Buddhist people aim to only say kind things to others through giving each other compliments. Topaz were also excited to try and control their minds to see not one, but two woman in a character image. Of course, after avoiding eating the sweets at first, they were devoured at the end of the lesson! 

Week beginning 3rd November

Welcome back to school for the second half of the Autumn term! We hope you enjoy seeing the evidence of how hard we have been working. 

Topaz enjoyed their final Anglo-Saxon lesson today, which was centred around researching King Alfred the Great, who ruled Britain from 871 to 899. After we had gathered facts as to whether Alfred could be considered great or not, we held a debate to argue our own points of view. Topaz excelled at using formal debate language and Mrs Carson loved hearing how articulate they were in demonstrating their opinions. Some of her favourite comments were:

'To my mind, Alfred should not be called the Great because he casually gave the Vikings some of his land.' (Mary)

'I concur with Mary. Although he defended Briton, he took all the credit and recognition when he hid away for some of the battle and gave the Vikings the land they wanted. He also treated his soldiers unfairly by not allowing them to see their families.' (Leo). 

'On the other hand, Alfred was Great because, despite being ill for most of his life, he was still a successful king and leader.' (Sophie)

'I personally think Alfred was Great as he translated so many texts into English for people to read.' (Nicholas)

'I agree. Alfred was Great because he brought peace to Briton.' (Cian).

'Although these are all good points, Alfred conversely couldn't even be trusted to look after some bread when he was in hiding, let alone look after a country!' (Emily)

Year 6 had a very peaceful RE lesson on Thursday afternoon, experiencing a Buddhist-style meditation focusing on having a calm mind and a kind heart. Whilst sitting in a darkened room, Thai music filled the air and a meditation was recited. Afterwards, Topaz and Turquoise artistically responded to Mrs Carson's question of why people meditate, and which benefits they might experience. Their responses were both thoughtful and mature. Well done, Year 6!

Week beginning 20th October

Welcome to our last week of the half-term. Thank you to all of UKS2 for their fantastic work over the past seven and a half weeks. We are very proud of the progress that you have already made in Years 5 and 6 and look forward to welcoming you back to school on Monday 3rd November.

Mrs Carson x 

This afternoon, UKS2 enjoyed working with their Year 1 and 2 Brookmans Buddies in order to write a Halloween poem. This idea came from our wonderful Year 6 House Captains, who spoke to Mrs Davies about how much they enjoy collaborating with the younger children but wanted the opportunity for this to be competitive! We began the session by splitting into our Houses and discussing our aim. Year 5 and 6 then created a 3D cube using a net, whilst Year 1 and 2 selected images to be stuck onto each of its faces. We then put this together to create a cube-shaped dice. Each time we rolled it, a different image was shown to give us a noun to use in a corresponding line of the poem. 

After a fun afternoon break time with our buddies, we read a number of successful spooky poems to give us some inspiration! We then used widgets and word mats to support us in writing own own excellent poems. At the end of the afternoon, each of the buddy pairs performed their poems to the other children in their House. Votes were cast, with the most popular poems ready to be performed to the whole school tomorrow. Mrs Davies will then choose her favourite, and the authors' House will be awarded a mighty 100 House Points!

Following a staff INSET on Wednesday about how to teach Drumba, Mr Cooper very kindly agreed to take the lead and explore this with both Year 6 classes in their PE lessons this afternoon. Drumba combines drumming, music and movement in a high-energy workout. Perfect to encourage movement, improve coordination and boost confidence, Mrs Carson also witnessed all the children LOVING the music and physical activity this afternoon! Both classes had a cardio and strength training lesson whilst also building on rhythmic learning that we have been covering in our music lessons. We are very fortunate that our PTA have helped to purchase a custom-made set of drums and sticks and can't wait to use these more throughout the course of the year! 

Week beginning 13th October

Welcome to another full week in UKS2, featuring Wednesday's House Cross Country event! 

UKS2 have been enjoying learning about Anglo-Saxon beliefs in their history lessons this week. When the Anglo-Saxons first came to Britain, they practised Paganism, which means they believed in many gods. We spent time exploring these, and were interested to discover that we get our name for days of the week from some of these! Did you know that: Tiw (god of war) gave his name to Tuesday, Woden (king of the gods) to Wednesday, Thunor (god of thunder) to Thursday and Frigg (goddess of love) gave her name to Friday? We then chose our favourite Anglo-Saxon god and created a Top Trumps card to represent them, before learning about how three missionaries brought Christianity to Britain in the 7th Century. 

This afternoon saw our annual House Cross-Country Championship take place on the school field. Year 6 were excellent role-models and buddies for Nursery, kickstarting the event with a lap of the field together. After the younger phases had raced, the UKS2 girls took to the field. With excellent personal battles and superb House support, Florence came in 1st place, Bethany in 2nd and Raya in 3rd. Following this, a highly competitive boys race took place! Neck-and-neck to the finishing line, Max proudly took 1st, Jayce 2nd and Will 3rd. Well done to all of the phase, however, for completing a tough course in what this phase leader would very much refer to as 'character building weather conditions'! I was so proud of everyone today, especially seeing them all encourage each other, and look forward to the grand winners being announced in our next celebration assembly! 

Week beginning 6th October

We hope you enjoy seeing what we have been up to this week in Years 5 and 6!

Whilst some of our Year 6 girls were at Tag Rugby, eight members of Sapphire joined forces with the remaining Topaz children for a lesson about notan Japanese art. We discussed the importance of balance and contrast and, after looking at some examples, created our own work based on observations from our classroom window. Mrs Carson was very impressed with the concentration and effort involved today!

Year 6 English - Thursday 9th October

Year 6 have been working on writing setting descriptions in their English lessons today, contrasting the peaceful opening of Varmints with the scene of destruction and despair that we have now reached in the book. Have a look at these fabulous examples, which have truly wowed Mrs Carson!

The fields were plucked out and the wiry grass was gone; buildings as tall as mountains scratched the clouds and demolished the sky. A hoard of loud noises drove away the bees, birds and moles, and all their sounds were silenced. Heavy fog descended from the sky and loomed all around the lifeless, depressing city. The trees withered away, turning into dusty corpses. The landscape was miserable, and all around it was varmints cowering in fear. Chaos replaced nature, tranquillity and peace; the only thing alive was the sounds of crashing voices. Darkened clouds overlooked the city and the dead fields. Thunder raged as well as the clouds, terrifying everything and everyone in its path!

By Christian L

A thundering fog came pounding over the fields. The buzzing bees were lost, the wiry grass demolished and the tiny bugs squished. Chaos crushed over the barren fields. Slowly, tall buildings loomed over everything, pointing their ugly fingers at a sky where birds once called. A perishing rush of rocks tumbled with such force it withered everything in its path. Trees turned to dust, leaves crushed away and wiry glass flattened. Noise erupted, banging, crashing and booming. The sound of the varmints was lost, never to be heard again.

By Ayla

The sky turned black, a magnet of despair. All of the trees became lifeless in the path of dread and chaos. Crashing and banging drove the birds, bees and moles away like a repellent. It was foggy and foreboding. Thunder punched the beauty.

By Charlet

Week beginning 29th September

Welcome to another busy week in UKS2! We enjoyed celebrating Harvest Festival on Monday and have also completed excellent work in the classroom.

UKS2 took part in our whole school Harvest Festival this morning, kindly donating multiple food items to the Hatfield Food Bank during our registration period. In assembly, we shared some lovely examples of poems that we have been studying or writing in our English lessons this half-term. Well done to everyone who was brave enough to read these aloud today! 

This afternoon, Topaz learnt about the importance of using primary sources in order to identify the most likely owner of a burial grave discovered by archaeologists at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk. Firstly, we discussed the benefits of using primary and secondary sources in history and then shared images of items found in the burial chamber. Topaz were incredibly good at suggesting what the items were and what they could infer about a possible owner. Following this, we watched a clip to explain what each of the items were used for in Saxon times, before being told about four possible owners. Using the secondary source information about each of these kings, Topaz had to piece together their understanding from the primary source photographs to make their final predication. Some of them were then delighted to find out that they had successfully suggested Raedwald the Bretwalda (a superior king), based upon his wealth and societal importance. 

Week beginning 22nd September

UKS2 have had their creative juices flowing this week as they have completed some fabulous observational art. The children have also enjoyed exploring how to work well as a team in PSHE to build a bridge that was strong enough to support the weight of a number of toy cards...using only newspaper and tape!

Week beginning 15th September

We have been enjoying a wide variety of core and foundation subjects this week in the classroom, whilst also experiencing some fun additional PE opportunities. 

Year 6 have been working exceptionally hard in their poetry unit in English this week. On Tuesday, Mrs Carson tasked them with using figurative language to write poems about the change of season that we are starting to witness. Here are some brilliant examples:

Autumn Calling,

Like a crisp cloud crawling in the breeze.

As she floats to the ground, she flexes her fingers,

Dancing with the wind like a ballerina.

Grasping the trees as she blows,

Branches crack.

Emerald green stolen from within,

Brightness gone,

Light gone,

Colour gone,

Autumn is calling.

By Seraphine

It starts its journey,

Swiftly through the soft wind,

Dancing and prancing,

Like a figure skater on ice.

Small acorns start to grow,

Begging a fresh start.

Leaves rustle like a party is about to commence,

As trees watch over the blanket of grass. 

The leaves burnt and crisp,

Hoping they'll be blessed with rain,

Then, when time comes, they softly fall onto the grass.

And there she is, free from her home,

Gliding gracefully to adventure.

Autumn is calling.

By Juliette 

Like a soldier ready for battle,

Shiny and reflective like a mirror.

The green hue is an emerald,

A thousand eyes peaking out from the helmet.

Rough wind smashing its face at it blows,

Far, far away,

Tumbling into its new home.

Welcomed and invited,

He finally has somewhere to proudly call home.

As he opens a new chapter,

Autumn has come.

By Alfie

The vast God calls his mighty chant,

And there she falls to bow to him.

Her wrinkled fingers press and crunch,

Letting the young go to the stage.

The emerald light glistens in the wind,

She stands her pride.

But little does she know,

A baby is there,

Ready to grow,

Because Autumn is coming.

By Darcy

In our history lesson today, Topaz explored reasons why the Anglo-Saxons came to Britain. We discussed the importance of the four Fs - flooding (in Germany and Scandinavia), fighting (in Briton), farming and friendship. The last of these was our main focus, with King Vortigern being hot-seated to discover why he formed an allegiance with Saxon brothers Hengist and Horsa when inviting them to Briton. Have a look at Christian C's super example of the letter he may well have written! 

Dear almighty Hengist and Horsa,

The wind has called to me, saying how well you two can fight. I would love for you to join my army to defend Briton from the Picts and Scots. If you are to accept this offer, I will give you a beautiful island just off the edge of Kent. It is called Thanet and it has amazing soil and agriculture. 

Hengist and Horsa, I am really looking forward to seeing you in my army.

Kind regards,

King Vortigern

BREAKING NEWS - THURSDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER - WELL DONE TO THE SEVEN YEAR 6 CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS WHO HAVE JUST QUALIFIED TO REPRESENT WELWYN AND HATFIELD DISTRICT! Boys: Alfie, Harry, Leo and Max  Girls: Bethany, Emily and Florence

Week beginning 8th September

This has been our first full week back in school, with a history workshop and Year 6 Tag Rugby sessions the main headliners! 

Today was an exciting day for UKS2 as we kick-started our history unit with a Life In Saxon Britain workshop. Dressed as Saxons to help us feel more in character, we walked down to the hall to meet our Saxon guides for the day. They told us about their settlement and their work. We then had the opportunity to visit ten tables around the room, each full of Saxon activities! These included sewing, rune-making, pottery, candle making, ink making and visiting the medicine wise woman. Each of these activities was great fun and the children will be able to show you what they made later at home! At the end of the morning, each class had the opportunity to experience a Saxon battle, as they fiercely defended their settlement from Viking invasion on the playground.

In the afternoon, we became archaeologists! We used a small brush to dig through a tray of soil. We excavated artefacts such as horns, pots, cups, beads, shells and jugs. Next, we had to use a catalogue to work out exactly what the items were and who might have used them, before deciding on a location in the Saxon settlement that they might have been found.

We all really enjoyed our Saxon day and would like to thank Jonathan, Hugh and Nina from History Off The Page for providing such an engaging start to our topic.

Topaz spent today's reading session discussing their favourite books from early childhood to the current day. They found images of the covers and then painted a river to demonstrate the journey from their most treasured books read to them to the book which they are currently enjoying. This promoted great discussion around reading for pleasure and has produced a lovely visual for our classroom! 

Year 6 Poetry - Thursday 11th September

Year 6 began their poetry unit in English today, with an initial challenge to create poems about what they DIDN'T do during the summer holidays! Here are two of Mrs Carson's favourites:

I didn’t by Raya

I didn’t play football with the amazing England Lionesses,

But I did kick a football with my cousins in my nana’s garden.

I didn’t ride a unicorn,

But I did ride a camel in the desert.

I didn’t swim in the channel like Trudy Ederle,

But I did swim in the swimming pool on holiday.

I didn’t stroke a great big lion,

But I did stroke my nana’s dog.

I didn’t see a volcano erupt,

But I did see a garden hose spew with water.

I didn’t walk on the moon,

But I did walk round the block in Welham Green.

I didn’t see Taylor Swift sing to screaming fans in a stadium,

But I did hear my dad scream songs in the car.

I didn’t fly to Mars in a big rocket ship,

But I did fly to Morocco in an aeroplane.

I didn’t see the wonders of the entire world,

But I did see many things that made me happy!

I didn’t by Joel

I didn’t ride to Disneyland in a Rolls Royce,

But I did do an ollie on my skateboard.

I didn’t defeat a tiger,

But I did beat my brother in Mariokart.

I didn’t score a goal for England,

But I did land a paper aeroplane in the goal.

I didn’t build a new Golden Gate Bridge,

But I did step on a studded Lego brick.

I didn’t go to see Harry Styles,

But I did, however, have my eardrums burst by my wannabe popstar dad (ouch!).

I didn’t fly to the Amazon as a spy,

But I did get drenched by the log flume.

But…

I did write this poem to be carefully observed by the Lady of Poetry – Mrs Carson!

And that’s the end.

Week beginning 1st September

We welcomed the children back to school on Thursday 4th September and have been delighted with how well they have settled into their new classes. During our first day, we all enjoyed making chatterboxes with positive affirmations as their final messages. Year 6 also completed their next Star reading assessments and greatly impressed Mr Fossey and Mrs Carson with their historical knowledge in creating image timelines of different periods they have studied so far!