Mr Kershaw helped us to do a scientific experiment this afternoon to show us exactly why London burned so quickly in 1666 during the Great Fire of London and brought our first case study to a smoking finale. First we put our Tudor box models close together, just as the houses and buildings were almost 400 years ago. The fire quickly spread from one to the next until all that was left were ashes and glowing embers. Next we lined up the houses just as close, but with a ‘fire break’ – a gap in the row – which was made in the actual event by pulling down a house with fire hooks. The experiment worked perfectly and the fire was prevented from spreading by the gap.

What an amazing way to experience history first-hand. Thank you so much Mr Kershaw for helping us to deepen our understanding in this way. Memories like these are priceless!

Black history month and reading week merged beautifully this afternoon in Year 1 as Crew Rodgers and Crew Stone came together at the end of the day to listen to an event in the life of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a powerful and beautifully illustrated book called ‘Let The Children March’ by Monica Clark-Robinson. In 1963 Birmingham, Alabama, thousands of African American children volunteered to march for their civil rights after hearing Dr. King speak. They protested the laws that kept black people separate from white people. Facing fear, hate, and danger, these children used their voices to change the world. How inspirational is that? Our children listened intently to the story and I was so proud of the mature way they discussed the children’s actions and how much they had to say about the injustice of it all.