Should the pits be closed?

16th June 2025Mr Schofield

Today, we learned about the miners strike of 1984-5 and debated the reasons for and against the pits being closed.

We learned about the impact of the strike action on families and the steadfast resistance that was presented from Thatcher’s government.

Children were provided a ‘side’ of the debate – that of Thatcher and the National Coal Board vs that of Arthur Scargill and the National Union of Miners.

It was great to see the children articulate both sides of the argument so clearly and build on their knowledge that there always two (or more!) sides to a debate.

Year 5 are on strike!

11th June 2025Mr Schofield

(Not really!)

Today, Year 5 learnt about the reasons workforces take strike action, what happens on a picket line and why it can be a difficult decision for employees to work without pay when they feel their rewards or conditions are unacceptable.

The children were challenged to consider a reason they might want to strike then take part in a peaceful demonstration and picket to illicit support for their cause. Well done all!

Community Crew

10th June 2025Miss Lotysz

Well done to Crew Garnham, who are this weeks TTRockstars winners with a whopping 426 points! Keep up the fantastic work. Shout out to Crew Myers for their improved attendance this week.

Pride of Plover

10th June 2025Miss Lotysz

Well done to this weeks Pride of Plover winners. You have all shown fantastic learning behaviours this week and we are all so proud of you- keep up the great work!

Year 5 PE

5th June 2025Mr Schofield

Would all parents and carers please be advised that from next week, in school PE will take place on Tuesdays.

Children should come dressed in their correct kit on these days.

Further details on kit requirements can be found on the school website.

There is no change to the swimming schedule. .

Year 5 Family Learning at Markham Main (Armthorpe)

4th June 2025Mr Schofield

Year 5 showed great determination on this afternoon’s hike from school to the historic Markham Main (Armthorpe) colliery pit top. We ventured through the woods and were pleased to find the now defunct spoil tips had been made into a beautiful nature reserve for the public of Doncaster to enjoy. We explored onward to the new housing estate where we discovered the monument and stones marking the two mine shafts, also being surprised to learn that the nearby street names were named after those who had lost their lives underground.

We spent some time to reflect on the miners’ of Doncaster hard work through the years, working on our sketching skills by drawing the monuments.

Next, we ventured up high to the very top of the area, resting around the cairn to complete some beautiful sketching of the panoramic views of the city.

It was a long walk and we were very impressed at the resilience and engagement shown from everyone.

A huge thank you, also, to the family members who attended to help make this a really special learning opportunity out in the field.

Well done everybody!

Year 5 Crew

Our Mining Expert

4th June 2025Mr Schofield

Today, Years 5 and 6 were visited by Rob, a local expert in mining with over forty years’ experience in the industry. We felt truly immersed in the life of a miner in Doncaster as he answered all the children’s brilliant questions and showed us through the range of artefacts he had gathered over his exciting career. It was great how he and the children made connections between our recent visit to Caphouse colliery and the vast number of coal mines in our home city of Doncaster.

This experience really helped to tee up our afternoon of family learning, keep an eye out for the next blog!

Coal Mining Museum

2nd June 2025Mr Schofield

Year 5 had a fabulous time at the National Coal Mining Museum, touring the site of a real coal mine (Caphouse), learning about all the processes and history of the site from TC – our tour guide with over 40 years’ experience working in the industry.

It was great to hear that our groups were the best behaved their guide had ever led through the tour – you represented the school brilliantly!

Reading plus winners

19th May 2025Miss Lotysz

Well done to this weeks reading plus winners, you have worked really hard this week.