Year 2 pupils at GPFS were very excited to visit the Tower of London. Despite the rain, the pupils had a great time exploring the Tower and learning more about its history. During the visit, pupils got to see the Crown Jewels and participate in an exciting workshop all about the Great Fire of London. We were very proud to show all of our knowledge, such as where the fire started, how long it lasted, and how it spread across London. We also learned many new facts, including how many people were affected by the fire and what people did at the time to help stop it.

One of our favourite parts of the day was watching the guards outside the Crown Jewels. We enjoyed watching them march up and down, and we were very excited when we even managed to make them laugh. Overall, the pupils had a fantastic day and returned to school with lots of new knowledge and happy memories.

This term, our topic focus is London, and the children have been thoroughly enjoying exploring it through a range of sensory and interactive activities. Our first class text is Paddington Goes to the Palace, which has been a fantastic starting point for learning. Through a sensory story approach, learners have enjoyed listening to a marching band, wearing police and soldier hats, and exploring different sensory experiences such as smelling flowers. These activities support attention, listening skills, and engagement while making learning fun and meaningful.

Our cooking sessions are also linked to Paddington, with learners making marmalade sandwiches. This has provided wonderful opportunities to practise fine motor skills, develop independence through hand washing, improve cutlery skills, and explore new foods and textures.

The Christmas celebrations included a festive Christmas dinner, enjoyable performances, and a Christmas jumper day, all of which helped to create a joyful and inclusive atmosphere. It was a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to celebrate the season together and share in the festive spirit.

The Gateway Primary Free School children who earned a place in the 100% Club for their fantastic attendance in Autumn 2 were rewarded with a brilliant silent disco celebration. Smiles and dancing filled the room as the pupils enjoyed a well-deserved treat for their outstanding commitment. Their enthusiasm and dedication made the event a joyful reminder of how important and exciting great attendance can be.

We had a brilliant time at our first-ever 'Campfire Stories' event on Thursday 16th October. Over 170 children took part in the event, which took place in the Forest School area on the school field. Mrs. Alexander, our specialist Forest School teacher, Mr. McQuade and Miss Banfield started us off with some great songs around the campfire. Then, the teachers read some much-loved stories to the children. We all read together and the children were encouraged to join in the fun! It was great to see everyone loving books and loving reading. It was a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors and see how much our children are developing a love for reading!