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!

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!

80th Anniversary picnic.

11th May 2025Mr Pickering

Year 2 really enjoyed having a picnic on the field with the rest of the school as part of our VE Day anniversary celebrations. We listened to music from the era while we ate and showed our respect during the national anthem. It was great to be together and learn why it is important to learn from the past.

#LovePlover

VE Day Celebrations

8th May 2025Mrs Graves

What a lovely time we had singing WW2 songs and sharing a picnic soon the school field at lunchtime today, to commemorate 80 years since VE Day.

After posing for a whole school photo, it was time for a bit of fun, with some dancing and singing some more recent tunes!

We took a moment to thank those who gave their lives for us today.

Mrs Graves

#LovePlover

Crew Schofield prepare for VE Day

7th May 2025Mr Schofield

Today in crew, we learnt about the significant event of Victory in Europe day – the events leading to and the subsequent celebrations of the end of World War Two. We then consolidated our knowledge by creating posters to decorate the classroom ahead of the 80th anniversary celebrations tomorrow.

I look forward to your designs forming part of our party decorations tomorrow, well done!

Working in a coal mine

28th April 2025Mr Schofield

Today, 5S were shocked to learn that Victorian children as young as four had no choice but to work up to 12 hours a day, 6 days a week in mines to earn money and support their families.

In order to consider the hard work and suffering they experienced, we discussed the different jobs available to people in the mines and the gruelling work they had to undertake. We role played these jobs in groups then got back together to write about how we felt.

We all came away feeling really sorry for our ancestors who had to work this hard at such a young age. I want to praise the class for their sympathy and engagement with this lesson as it was tough to hear about.