KS2 pupils enjoyed an exciting and immersive learning experience today as the school welcomed a special visitor to explore the animal kingdom using virtual reality technology.
Emma, a VR expert from the Education Group, visited the school to deliver an engaging virtual reality session that took pupils on a journey through the five main groups of animals. Using VR headsets, children were able to explore animals and their habitats in a vivid, interactive way that brought learning to life far beyond the classroom.
Each year group took part in a 40‑minute session with the VR devices, ensuring that all KS2 pupils had the opportunity to fully engage with the technology. The sessions were carefully designed to enhance pupils’ understanding of animal classification while supporting the science curriculum.
The experience was highly engaging and very exciting, with pupils showing curiosity, enthusiasm, and a real sense of wonder throughout the day. Staff were impressed by how focused and motivated the children were during the sessions.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Friends of School, whose generous funding made this fantastic experience possible. Their continued support helps to provide enriching opportunities that inspire and enhance our pupils’ learning.
Today, we were delighted to welcome Ady Royston from the Canal & River Trust, who visited Year 3 and also delivered an informative whole‑school assembly.
During his time with Year 3, Ady helped pupils explore the fascinating journey of a river, from source to estuary. The children learned about the key features of rivers and discussed the many ways rivers have been used throughout history, including for defence, food, and clothing. Ady also explained the water cycle, helping pupils develop their understanding of how water moves through our world.
In the whole‑school assembly, Ady focused on the very important topic of water safety. He spoke to the children about the dangers around water, how to stay safe, what to do if you fall into water, and the correct actions to take if you see someone else in difficulty. The session gave pupils practical, memorable advice that could help keep them safe in real‑life situations.
We would like to thank Ady and the Canal & River Trust for an engaging and valuable visit that supported both our geography learning and our commitment to keeping children safe.
Our school choirs enjoyed an unforgettable experience recently as they travelled to the Nottingham Royal Albert Hall to take part in a spectacular choir performance. Joining forces with two other schools, our pupils performed in front of an audience of thousands, creating a truly inspiring and memorable event.
The choirs rose to the occasion with confidence and enthusiasm, showcasing both their musical talent and their commitment to excellence. Performing in such a prestigious venue was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils and a moment they will remember for many years to come.
We are incredibly proud of every student who took part. Their hard work, dedication, and teamwork were evident throughout the performance, and they represented the school superbly.
Special thanks and congratulations go to Miss Jones, our Music/Choir Lead, whose tireless dedication and passion made this opportunity possible. Miss Jones has worked exceptionally hard with the choir, preparing them to perform to such a high standard, and her commitment has made a lasting impact on all involved.
Well done to everyone who participated in this remarkable achievement – a true celebration of music, collaboration, and school pride.
Our annual Easter Craft Day was a wonderful celebration of creativity, teamwork and springtime fun. Pupils from across the school took part in a range of seasonal activities, showcasing both their imagination and their enthusiasm throughout the day.
One of the highlights was the Easter Bonnet Competition, where children proudly displayed their beautifully crafted bonnets. From colourful spring designs to imaginative themed creations, the entries were full of personality and flair. Staff were incredibly impressed by the effort and creativity that went into each bonnet, making the judging both enjoyable and very challenging!
Children also brought in their designed eggs. We had some ingenious and creative entries. The hall was filled with excitement as children shared ideas and admired each other’s work. Well done to those that won!
Throughout the day, Mr Lee gathered each class into the hall for the much‑awaited Egg Rolling Competition. Pupils cheered one another on and took part with fantastic sportsmanship. It was wonderful to see the respect and encouragement they showed, celebrating each roll—whether fast, slow, wobbly, or wonderfully unpredictable!
Overall, our Easter Craft Day was a joyful celebration that brought our school community together. The children had a brilliant time getting creative, working together, and embracing the fun of the season. We are extremely proud of the effort, behaviour, and enthusiasm shown by everyone who took part.
We hope you all have a wonderful and well‑earned two‑week break!
This week, Cropwell Primary was buzzing with excitement as we celebrated our annual Science Week, centred around this year’s inspiring theme: curiosity. Each class embraced the theme by exploring their own scientific questions through hands-on experiments, investigations and lots of enthusiastic discussion.
Curious Experiments Across the School
Our classrooms were transformed into laboratories as pupils set out to test their ideas:
- Year 2 explored the fascinating world of food science by investigating whether wonky vegetables taste the same as “perfect” ones. The children were surprised by the results—and delighted to learn that appearance doesn’t always matter!
- Year 3 looked into human biology, examining whether there is a relationship between height and age in children. Clipboards, measuring tapes and careful observations guided their work as they analysed the trends in their findings.
- Year 6 took on a classic scientific question: Does toast always land butter‑side down? Through repeated tests (and lots of toast!), they explored probability, forces and a little bit of luck.
Each class showcased a fantastic sense of inquiry, teamwork and enthusiasm for discovering how the world works.
Sci‑Tech Competition Final
As part of Science Week, we also held the exciting Sci‑Tech Competition Final. Pupils who had been busy engineering their own egg‑transportation devices put their creations to the ultimate test. Their challenge: to propel their device as close as possible to a barrier without touching it—a task requiring precision, creativity and problem‑solving.
The catch? Each device had to be entirely self‑propelled.
The atmosphere was electric as competitors launched their designs, cheered on by classmates and staff. We were incredibly impressed by the originality and ingenuity displayed by all participants.
The winners will be announced later this week and they will head to Heymann Primary School for the trust final so stay tuned!
On Thursday, our school enjoyed a wonderful World Book Day full of creativity and a shared love of reading. The day began bright and early as children arrived with their parents for a special breakfast in the hall. Families tucked into croissants and pain au chocolat while enjoying hot drinks, creating a wonderful atmosphere as children read their favourite books aloud to their families. It was a lovely way to start the morning and truly highlighted the importance of reading together.
A sea of colour quickly filled the school as pupils came dressed as their favourite book characters. From classic story heroes to modern favourites, the creativity and excitement on display were incredible. Staff were equally enthusiastic, joining in the fun with their own book-themed outfits.
As part of the celebrations, our English Lead, Mrs Simpson, led a special assembly exploring the purpose and importance of World Book Day. She spoke about the power of stories, the joy of reading for pleasure, and how books can inspire, teach, and connect us. The assembly reminded everyone just how valuable reading is in our everyday lives.
To continue the celebration, don’t forget to check out this week’s Website Club News. The team has been busy interviewing children about their costumes and discovering why they chose their characters. It’s a wonderful insight into the stories that inspire our pupils.
Thank you to all families and staff for making this year’s World Book Day such a memorable event. It was a fantastic celebration of imagination, community, and the magic of books.