St Helena's Church of England Primary Academy, Willoughby

KS1 have spent lots of time outdoors, as part of their foundation learning this half term. With their Geography hats on, Year 2 have been out-and-about in the school grounds, in search of identifying the human and physical features of the environment. Together, Year 1 and 2 ventured down to our church to explore sacred places and objects, an important part of their RE learning. One of our incredibly talented Year 2 musicians even had a go at playing the organ, have a look in the comments for his beautiful rendition! Well done for your excellent attitudes, questions and thinking, KS1! 😊❤🌏⛪️

The next time you enter the foyer, be sure to admire the beautiful Elmer mural, created by our wonderful EYFS children this year. A special thank you to Mrs Kirk and Mrs Woodward for displaying this incredible, collaborative piece of art. 😊❤️🖼️🎨🐘

After such a successful year in 2025, we’re very excited for the Summer Fayre this year! Please share far and wide! 😊❤️☀️🤹‍♀️🎪

We hope everyone had a restful break and enjoyed the sunshine over half-term; we’re looking forward to welcoming the children back (and a number of new children to school!) tomorrow for the final term of the academic year. Please can families ensure PE kits are returned to school tomorrow as some classes PE days may have changed in the timetable. Thank you! 😊☀️

Year 6 have been exploring mechanisms in their D&T learning this term. They began their unit evaluating existing toys and products on the market and how they work, before designing their own automata toys for an audience of younger children, inspired by traditional tales. Across the term, the children have developed their cutting and joining skills (using saws, drills and glue guns) to create their housing, then further developed their understanding of cam mechanisms and made their own, carefully cut to size. After adding their finishing design features this week (and writing a miniature book to go alongside the toy!), the class invited Year 3 to help share and evaluate their finished products. On top of that, all of the finished products have been delivered to and displayed at Alford Library for the whole community to enjoy. Well done, Year 6 - you should be very proud of your efforts this term! 😊❤️🎨📚🪚⚙️

EYFS have had the most exciting end to a very busy term with their incredibly colourful celebration of ! The children have loved their day full of Elmer-inspired activities, such as baking and cake decorating, as well as creating the most beautiful, collaborative art project in their almost life-size Elmer! We can’t wait to display the wonderful piece of work after the holiday. Well done, EYFS, for your inspiring creativity. 😊❤️🎨🐘☀️

Year 1 have been learning about stability, wheels and axles in design technology, this half-term. They have been creating, designing and building their own fairground wheel (which has taken lots of endurance!). We can't wait to see the finished products, KS1! 😊❤🎡🔨🪛

Year 6 have had a wonderful day at Lincoln Cathedral for the Year 6 Church Schools Festival. With a tour of the incredible building, range of engaging activities and concluding with a collective worship, the children came together with other CofE schools from across the county for the beginning of their final journey in primary school through song, dance and prayer. Well done for a great day, children! 😊❤️✝️ Lincoln Diocesan Board of Education

Something very exciting happened in EYFS last week: after lots of waiting, four brand-new chicks hatched! Meet Daffodil, Sunset, Dusty and Miracle!🐥

As part of their learning about life cycles, the children have been fascinated by the incubator that they’ve had in the classroom this term. The children were so excited when the chicks started to hatch, and they have loved observing and discussing the chicks’ first few days of life!

To support their learning, the children immersed themselves into chick-themed provision, using different materials and their fine motor skills to create their own hatching chick and collage their very own chick too🐣

What an amazingly immersive experience, EYFS! Please see a further time-lapse video of the chicks hatching in the comments below. 😊❤️🐤