R A Butler Academy Infant & Junior Schools

04/09/2026

10/07/2026

It has been a really busy week for the Y6s, not only was it the culmination of their Enterprise Project on Tuesday but on Wednesday and Thursday they took to the stage to perform The Next Big Step. They didn’t let the heat dim their enthusiastic performances as they entertained the audience with an amusing, tongue-in-cheek look back over their time at RAB. Laughter and a few tears accompanied the great staff impersonations. Well done to all the children performing, the backstage team and all of Y6 for putting on a great show.

03/07/2026

We had our wonderful Music Concert yesterday evening. There were performances by RAB Voices, orchestra, recorder ensembles and solo performances on violin, piano, guitar, drums and voice with over 60 children taking part. The children were amazing and their hard work and talent shone through in every performance. It is always such a joy to hear the children who take peripatetic music lessons performing alongside our fantastic Young Voices Choir. We know how much practise and rehearsing it takes to make a great performance.

05/06/2026

What a fantastic way to start our final half term of the year! Science Week was packed with hands-on learning, real-world science and amazing experiences. There was such breadth and variety of activities on offer. Children explored science in action through a wide range of practical activities designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding. The playground became a launch site as children designed and launched rockets, while elsewhere they learned about the engineering behind bomb disposal and how specialist robots are used to keep people safe.
In the classroom, science came to life in creative and memorable ways. Pupils created colourful DNA bracelets, investigated a germ-ridden crime scene and used real surgical instruments on watermelons, under the guidance of a neurosurgeon, to explore medical science. They also became wildlife detectives, analysing time-lapse photography taken from the on-site forest school, investigated the digestive system, and explored food science by designing and tasting their own bespoke crisps.
We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all our amazing parents and STEM volunteers who shared their passion and knowledge with the children and especially to Hester Wheeler and Talia Bywater for arranging and co-ordinating such an incredible week.

01/05/2026

A big well done to our Y4s who travelled to Anglia Ruskin University to participate in the Mighty Oak Public Speaking Competition, performing to a large, full auditorium and three judges. All the children demonstrated great resilience and articulacy, we're very proud of you.

27/04/2026

RAB has lauched our ‘20 is Plenty’ campaign to address concerns around road safety on South Road. Our very enthusiastic children smiled and waved at passing cars, making sure our message was clearly seen. Our next steps will be to reach out to local media and policymakers to continue making meaningful change. We will also be creating further materials and launching initiatives in school to help maintain this positive impact. A big well done to all involved. Remember: 20 IS PLENTY on South Road.

27/04/2026

Y5 stepped back in time to the Stone Age during their exciting trip to Celtic Harmony. The children enjoyed a range of hands on activities, including foraging for herbs to make soup and throwing spears at a wild boar and woolly mammoth. They also built shelters, traded resources and watched a flint knapping demonstration to learn how stones were used as tools. Everyone had a fantastic time and showed excellent enthusiasm and behaviour throughout the day.

17/04/2026

Shiver me timbers!
Year 1 had a fabulous Pirate Day to start their new topic 'Ahoy me hearties!' We loved all the costumes. The children all took part in lots of pirate activities including a treasure hunt, writing messages in a bottle and making pirates hats.

17/04/2026

Year 2 kicked off their Adventurers and Explorers topic with a thrilling visit to our Forest School area on Monday. After spending time exploring the woodland, the children made an unexpected discovery — a mysteriously large backpack packed with intriguing items, including a sleeping bag, walking boots, a map and even some toothpaste. The children shared wonderfully thoughtful predictions about who the backpack might belong to and why it had been left behind. Rest assured, the bag was left safely in place for its owner to return and collect…