We like to be learning out of doors as much as possible.
We take our EYFS and KS1 children to the Old Copse in Sonning Common. We have an extensive Forest School’s Curriculum including bug hunting; identifying trees and leaves; mud painting; leaf printing; den building. Caversham Prep is a member of the Woodland Trust and working on their Green Tree Awards.
Where we plant and harvest vegetables and fruit from the fruit trees; tend our flower beds; make bird feeders; have our bug ‘hotel’; learn about plant science and enjoy the fresh air and working to a common purpose. We very proudly have the RHS Level 3 Award.
The Reception class is outdoors every day in their Learning Garden.
We do a great deal of science outside in the natural world – bug hunting, butterfly counts, pond dipping, in the woods identifying trees and ferns. Measuring rainfall or outside temperatures at different times of the day and how the shadows lengthen. Sketching the River Thames, photographing the flora and fauna around the school, filming school events especially for fund-raising.
Curriculum outings will be an exciting start to a new topic or a culmination of work learned. Visiting the post office or local library. Making sushi at Yo Sushi for our Japan topic or Waitrose to do some ‘healthy shopping’ and calculate our spend.Reception visit the Farm in the summer term. Year 1 visit Warwick Castle as part of their History Topic on Medieval Knights and Castles. Watching the drawbridge being lowered or trying out the bed with the pea under the mattress to see if they may be a real princess, is a highlight of the trip. Year 2 go to London for the day to explore St Paul’s Cathedral, walk along the Thames and visit Pudding Lane where the Great Fire started and see Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Year 3 study Britain at War and visit the RAF Museum in Northwood. Year 4 visit The Living Rain Forest as part of their Science Diversity project.
Years 5 and 6 take a Residential Trip to Skern Lodge in Appledore, Devon for a Geography Field Trip. We wave off very excited children for four days of watersports, hiking and studying sea and river erosion begins. Abseiling, kayaking, orienteering by the stars and the party night with a disco, and new friends to make – so much to tell us about when they return!
Residential trips are a well organised addition to pupils’ learning opportunities. These focus on team-building activities linked to their academic learning and are much enjoyed by the children. -ISI Report
Matilda the Musical in London, Fantastic Mr Fox in Oxford or Room on the Broom in Reading. Our Annual Whole School Trip to the Pantomime at Christmas starts our holiday season off with a BANG! – “Oh, no it doesn’t, oh, yes it does!”
Community nurses, the local vet, dental nurse, fire engine, drama companies to share acting experiences and a Bhangra Dance Company to celebrate Diwali all complement the curriculum.
The inclusion of appropriate outings or visitors to the school as part of the planning for a particular topic is a strength, extending the pupils’ breadth of understanding. These have included a Bollywood event to celebrate Diwali and a whole school expedition to the Thames when learning about water. - ISI Report
