Upper Beeding Primary SchoolUpper Beeding Primary School
Upper Beeding Primary School

VE Day commemorative tea dance among activities enjoyed by Upper Beeding children

It has been a busy time at Upper Beeding Primary School as children enjoyed getting stuck into a variety of activities.

On Monday, January 27, the secretary of the Penny Farthing Club came to visit with his retro bicycle.

Neil Laughton talked to the children in key stage one about the history of the bicycles, answered their questions, showed them how to ride a penny farthing and then allowed some of the children to have a go.

This was part of the school’s new ‘On the Move’ topic which was launched recently when pupils were able to bring in their own bikes and scooters.

The playground was turned into a road and the children had to follow the rules of the road, looking carefully at the road signs.

Other activities as part of this topic will include visits from a tractor, vintage bus and motocross bike as well as a visit to Amberley Museum.

Last term, pupils in years five and six learned about the Second World War and enjoyed a themed day and a tea dance to commemorate VE Day.

Children were challenged to learn the steps for a high energy jive and a traditional waltz in just 45 minutes which saw pupils enthusiastically join in.

Parents were invited to the tea dance and even took to the dance floor themselves.

As part of the day, pupils also visited a genuine Second World War Anderson Shelter and experienced what it would have been like in an air raid.

To end key stage one’s autumn topic – castles and dragons –a medieval day was held which saw children make stained glass windows to decorate the main hall to make it replicate the Barons Hall at Arundel Castle – which the children also visited – make their own crowns, have a medieval feast and learn a medieval dance which was performed by all 90 children for the school’s headteacher.