Nunney First School believes that school visits and visitors to the school have clear benefits for pupils’ learning. These experiences help to bring the curriculum to life. They provide deeper subject learning and increases self-confidence. They also help to build children’s awareness of risk. Visits and visitors help to place learning in real life contexts and are motivational and deeply memorable.
Teachers build visits and visitors into most projects and children at Nunney First School experience a wide range of out-of-school activities that include visits to museums and country parks, trips to towns and cities, outdoor activities in the local area and taking part in challenging and adventurous activities.
Below are some of the visits and visitors that have enriched the curriculum for pupils at Nunney School.
Visit to Carymoor
On the Somerset levels is Carymoor, an education centre run by Wessex Water. On a hot summer’s day, the whole school had the most amazing day out exploring this magical environment. In the shade of the forest, the children had the freedom of the stream to build dams and on the banks build dens and hideouts. After hunting for and then identifying minibeasts, we walked round the reservoir to see the wealth of flora and fauna as well as the swans, cygnets and many dragonflies.
From one of the children… “Can we come back again soon?”
Children’s Mental Health Week
At Nunney First School, we support the development of our children beyond our academic focus. We recognise national events linked to mental health and link to resources to support children, families and staff. During Children’s Mental Health Week we put on a range of activities at lunchtime for children to express themselves. In 2022 this included whole school art projects, creation of gratitude hearts, yoga and dance sessions and a pause for reflection.
Worldwide citizens
Our commitment to our children is to raise them as responsible members of the worldwide community. We engage in fundraising opportunities throughout the year and support our chosen charities – Red Nose Day, the Royal British Legion, Children in Need and Fair Frome. In 2022, children raised money through a dancathon, wearing their own clothes, buying branded items. Families also collected toiletries for Fair Frome as part of our Harvest festival and joined a local initiative to send resources to families fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.
Otter Class Visit Frome Bouldering Centre
Linked to their project on rocks, relics and rumbles, Otter class launched their learning with a trip to Frome Bouldering Centre. Children supported each other to try new challenges and were resilient and enthusiastic. They also tried archery at the centre before returning to school to investigate different types of rocks.
Living like Victorians
As a school which was founded in 1896, learning about History can be made more meaningful when we link to how Nunney First School children lived in the past. Children in Hedgehog class enjoyed immersing themselves in Victorian life with costumes and attending classes with a very strict teacher! They finished their topic with a trip to the Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury last week. They learnt about how the Victorian’s celebrated Christmas and the origins of some of our traditions, made decorations and sweets for the tree and explored the museum in small groups.
Making Science real
Otter class really enjoyed a visit from Mr G, watching things explode, exploring all the equipment he brought across and making their own screaming cups! He amazed us with his science show before hands on exploration for everyone with a wide range of different tools and activities. The children really enjoyed his huge contraptions, especially the one which could knock the cups off our heads from a distance using air!
Careers inspiration from Jenna Herman
As part of our World Book Day celebrations, we were lucky to have Jenna Herman join us at school. Jenna was launching a new book about habitats and life cycles and joined us to deliver bespoke lessons for each class. We finished the day with everyone in the hall following Jenna’s step by step instructions to draw a koala. Children were able to learn about her job and how Jenna became an illustrator as well as finding out more about different creatures.
Children at Nunney First School regularly make the short coach journey to Oakfield Academy to take part in interschool sports festivals. Festivals, which are run by Sports Coordinators who work for the Frome Learning Partnership, have a specific focus such as tri golf, striking & fielding games and athletics. They provide an opportunity for children to engage in and enjoy sport with children of a similar age who attend schools in Frome and its surrounding villages. The school uses money received through the Sports Premium Grant to pay for the transport that enables Nunney pupils to participate in these events, which are enjoyed by all.
