The Durham Dales Federation is a federation of small rural primary schools, which was formed in September 2023. Staff from all schools work together to share expertise and to plan and deliver the curriculum. Our subject leaders co-ordinate their subjects across all the schools within our federation, which ensures that we can offer the same high-quality experiences to all pupils in our schools.
The Upper Dales schools of Wearhead and St John’s Chapel work together on a regular basis each week. At the start of the week, each school works in their own building and on Thursdays and Fridays, the schools come together on the St John’s Chapel Primary School site. On Federation days, we take advantage of the opportunities to work in larger groups with other children of the same age, and we often arrange visits and visitors for these days so that everyone can participate.
Wearhead and St. John's Chapel Primary In science today, Year 3 and 4 were classifying and sorting light sources and reflectors. Then they investigated materials to discover if they were reflective or non-reflective. We loved learning a new word - retroflective! Ask your child what it means!
View this PostSt John's Chapel and Wearhead Primary Schools Bikability Club Over the past four weeks, the children have had a fantastic time during bikability club. We have learnt how to perform clothing and helmet checks, as well as ABC (air, brakes, chain) bicycle checks to make sure we are safe to ride. On our bikes, we have practised controlling our bicycles to ensure we are riding safely, making sure to avoid other riders and obstacles. Some of our favourite games are 'Grandmother's Footsteps' and 'Follow the Leader'. We have enjoyed finishing our sessions with some races.
View this PostHamsterley Primary School Sustainability in Action! Today, the children took part in an exciting sustainability workshop with Alex from Northern Gas Networks! KS2 explored hydrogen energy, built a network from straws to connect different areas, and tested how long a hydrogen car could last on different surfaces. Meanwhile, KS1 created their own network using straws and compared the things that help and harm our planet.
View this PostExploring Microhabitats! This morning, our KS1 pupils at St. John's Chapel and Wearhead Primary Schools became mini scientists, investigating the fascinating world of microhabitats! They discovered invertebrates hiding under logs and stones, used magnifying pots to observe them up close, and even created a bar chart to record their findings.
View this PostSt John's Chapel & Wearhead Primary Schools Sustainability in Action! Yesterday, our children took part in an exciting sustainability workshop with Alex from Northern Gas Networks! KS2 explored hydrogen energy, built a network from straws to connect different areas, and tested how long a hydrogen car could last on different surfaces. Meanwhile, KS1 created their own network using straws and compared the things that help and harm our planet.
View this PostHands-On Science! Our Year 5 & 6 pupils at St John's Chapel & Wearhead Primary Schools have been diving deep into their Science lessonsquite literally! To explore the structure and function of the heart, they carried out a sheep heart dissection, gaining a fascinating, first-hand understanding of the circulatory system. A huge thank you to Keenan's Butchers in Wolsingham for supplying the hearts!
View this PostStorytime Adventure @ St John's Chapel & Wearhead Primary! In Early Years, our little learners dived into this week's story: "The Three Billy Goats Gruff"! They set off on a stick hunt, gathering materials to build a bridge for the goats to cross. Then, using props, they brought the story to life, retelling it in their own creative way!
View this PostSt John's Chapel and Wearhead Primary Schools Well done to this week's special certificate winners!
View this PostCookery Club Fun! Today our young chefs rolled up their sleeves and got creative in the kitchen, making delicious gingerbread biscuits! From mixing and rolling to cutting out, the children had a fantastic time baking together. We're sure they'll enjoy eating them even moreif they haven't already!
View this PostHamsterley Primary School Our EYFS children have loved bringing 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' to life this week! They have been retelling the story using characters and props, practicing their fine motor skills by cutting 'grass' , trip-trapping over the bridge in the water area , making troll-green jelly for some sensory fun and reimagining the tale with crates. We have had so much fun retelling the story!
View this PostHamsterley Primary Maths Café Today, we hosted our Maths Cafés with DurhamLearn. The children teamed up with their parents and carers to explore maths through games and puzzles - it was great fun! Thank you to everyone that came along!
View this PostWearhead Primary School EYFS children have been listening to the story of 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' this week. They have been building bridges for the goats to cross the river and also building towers as part of their topic work around fairy tales.
View this PostWearhead Primary School This afternoon, we changed our plans in our forest school session when we couldn't unlock the shed! We continued with some gardening and began to move the fire circle to a more sheltered spot.
View this PostHamsterley Primary School Happy World Bee Day! Today, Class 2 had a buzzing time in Forest School, learning all about why bees are so important to nature and to us. We built cozy bee houses to give our pollinator friends a safe spot in the trees and got creative painting bee-themed pebble stones. Of course, no Forest School day would be complete without a delicious treats'mores!
View this PostHamsterley Primary School Class One have had a lovely afternoon using the MUGA, in the village, for PE. They had a super tennis lesson and have learnt some new skills. As it was so warm we had lots of shade and water breaks. Great fun was had by all.
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