360 Curriculum

Reception Children’s Magical Adventure at the Minack Theatre

14th March 202514th March 2025 by Amanda Aspden

I was the queen fairy and I was in love with a donkey – Jackson

Our Reception children have embarked on an unforgettable journey to the breathtaking Minack Theatre for a singing, dancing, and performing workshop. The experience was a playful and immersive exploration of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, filled with music, movement, and storytelling.

We went to the Minack Theatre. I was a builder and we also did super heros. We had to save the day – Tristan

Led by the lively and engaging Wenna White, Betty Blue and Ryan Red, the children were transported into the magical world of fairies, kings and queens, builders, and even a donkey! Through song and dance, they brought Shakespeare’s enchanting story to life, stepping into the roles of characters and embracing the spirit of the play.

I was a fairy. We saw the dressing room. We had to collect magic dust. We had to be naughty with it and spread it over the builders and the princess and the donkey ee-or – Esme

The adventure didn’t stop there! As well as performing, the children had the chance to explore the stunning Minack Theatre and its beautiful gardens. They learned about the theatre’s fascinating history and how the remarkable Rowena Cade built it with her own hands. A real highlight was going backstage, where the children got a glimpse of where the performers prepare before stepping onto the famous stage.

I was being the prince – Ava, I was being the queen – Flora, I was being a fairy and I falled in love with a donkey – Georgie

The day ended with a special performance on the Minack’s stage, where the children showcased everything they had learned.

It was a magical and memorable experience for all, sparking creativity and excitement about theatre and performance.

A huge thank you to the Minack Theatre team for giving our children such an incredible opportunity. Who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll see some of them return as future stars of the stage!

Reception Classes Enjoy Outdoor Maths Adventures!

4th March 2025 by Amanda Aspden

My favourite bit of maths is number bonds. A two and a two makes four, a three and a one makes four – Ella

Our Reception classes have been making the most of the drier weather by taking their maths learning outside! The children have been exploring a range of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) maths activities in the fresh air, using the natural environment to develop key skills in a fun and engaging way.

A one and a four makes five and a two and a three makes five – Arthur

I love maths, it’s my favourite. I’m good at numbers – Reuben

Our young mathematicians have been:
🔢 Practicing number recognition by spotting and ordering numbers in outdoor scavenger hunts.
🪵 Using natural materials like sticks, shells, and stones to create repeating patterns.
🎲 Playing counting games with hoops, beanbags, and outdoor number tracks.
📏 Exploring measurement by comparing the lengths of sticks and estimating distances.
🔺 Creating 2D and 3D shapes with outdoor objects, developing their understanding of geometry.

We’ve been learning doubles, double two is four, double four is eight, double 5 is ten – Jackson

Outdoor learning provides a fantastic opportunity for children to apply their mathematical skills in real-life contexts while enjoying the benefits of fresh air and movement. We look forward to many more outdoor maths adventures as the season continues!

I like doing maths outside – Zuri

Lights, Camera, Action for Class 14

17th February 202517th February 2025 by Nic Stanlake

A few weeks ago, some of our pupils visited LightBox Film Company, a local business in Hayle, to provide voice-over work for an Active Cornwall film. This week, it was time to return the favour!

James from LightBox visited Penpol to film the children as part of a new project about geological resources in the region. The pupils not only learned about the exciting developments happening locally but also explored the wide range of careers available within the sector, including marketing, engineering, and, of course, geology!

Once they had played their part as actors, some pupils had the opportunity to step behind the camera. James was fantastic at working with them, taking the time to explain not only how his equipment works but also the wider film industry.

Keep your eyes peeled for our future stars of the screen—I will share the video once it’s completed!

Below is a link to a Cornish film featuring some of our talented pupils.

Year 4’s Planting Adventure!

7th February 2025 by Jack Emery

Year 4 rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty this week as they took part in Cormac’s Green Shoots community project at the Playing Fields!

Both classes embraced the challenge, taking on everything from planning and digging to planting bulbs and native shrubs—and even a bit of litter-picking to keep the space looking great. Both classes were a credit to the school – no matter the task, every child threw themselves into the project with enthusiasm!

A huge thank you to Melissa, Becky, and Kelly from Cormac, who made sure every child felt involved and valued throughout the process. Their support and guidance turned this into a truly hands-on learning experience.

It was fantastic to see the children so engaged, and they’ve already told us they’re keen to visit the Playing Fields more often—what a brilliant legacy for this project! We’ll definitely be planning some of our school learning in this wonderful space to make the most of their hard work and the new picnic area.

More photos to come soon—watch this space!

Year 6 Sports Festival Fun

24th October 202423rd October 2024 by Bethany Waters

Today, 12 pupils from Year 6 participated in a sports festival hosted at Mounts Bay Academy. They split off in to two teams and challenged other schools in both Dodgeball and Bench Ball! Fun was had by all and smiles were worn throughout! A special thank you to Mounts Bay for hosting and to the other schools for some great competition!

360° – Year 1’S NATURE ART

19th January 20254th October 2024 by Clare Sara

Year 1 have been to Gwithian beach for part of our 360° Curriculum to explore NATURE ART!

As part of our ART lessons, Year 1 children went on a fun trip to the beach to create artwork inspired by the artist Andy Goldsworthy. They explored the beach and collected natural materials like shells, pebbles and seaweed. Using these items, the children made their own special art pieces, arranging them into patterns, shapes, and sculptures just like Goldsworthy does.

This activity helped them to channel their Penpol value of CREATIVITY while working with nature, and they learnt how to make art from things they found around them. The best part was that their artwork was temporary, just like Andy Goldsworthy’s, and they took photos to remember their beautiful creations!

Year 2’s Marine Discovery

4th July 2024 by Michael Pearson

On Tuesday 2^nd and Wednesday 3^rd July, our Year 2 pupils embarked upon some unforgettable boat tours of Mounts Bay with Marine Discovery Penzance.

We met the Marine Discovery crew on Albert Pier at Penzance Harbour. While we were fitted with lifejackets and suitably warm clothing, the children explored fact files about a rage of local sea animals, including minke whales and basking sharks. We then carefully descended the steep steps down from the harbour and boarded Shearwater II, a 10-metre sailing catamaran.

We left the calm waters of Penzance Harbour and headed south towards Mousehole. The children observed this historic fishing village from the sea and learned about the history of the Mousehole Cave and its use by smugglers. We learned that the Cornish name for Mousehole is ‘Porthenys’, translating to ‘harbour island’. This refers to St Clement’s Island, situated just offshore from Mousehole.

Historically, St Clement’s Island was home to a medieval chapel. Nowadays it is an important habitat for a host of seabirds and grey seals. We observed several seals, some of which were resting on the rocks and others could be seen ‘bottling’ in the water.

Josh, the crew’s marine mammal expert, let the children explore a real seal’s skull and some seal fur!

The bay also had a plethora of local seabirds, including skuas, Cory’s shearwaters, gannets, cormorants and oystercatchers.

It was time to hoist the sails as we set a course due Northeast for St Michael’s Mount! On the way, we sang sea shanties, spotted a number of different types of boats and kept our eyes peeled for more wildlife. Some children helped to steer the boat, using the steering pole and keeping a keen eye on the direction of travel.

As we sailed across Mounts Bay, we pondered the bay’s ancient past; it is understood that some 6000 years ago, when sea levels were much lower, the bay was home to a vast forest. ‘The Lost Forest of Mounts Bay’ is echoed in the Cornish name for St Michael’s Mount, ‘Karrek Loos yn Koos’, meaning ‘Grey Rock in the Wood’.

The children demonstrated incredible bravery and resilience during their marine voyages, at time battling high winds and choppy seas! They also showed great curiosity and a deep respect for their local environment. A huge thank you to Marine Discovery Penzance for a truly unforgettable experience and inspiring the next generation of marine voyagers!

Penpol Celebrates Languages Day 2023!

15th October 2023 by Jack Emery

On Wednesday 4th October, Penpol School celebrated European Day of Languages for its 6th time. We are so fortunate to have so many languages being spoken as either a first or second language by our students. For this reason, European Day of Languages is a prime opportunity to shine a light on each of these languages which represents our diverse learning community here at Penpol.

Back by popular demand, the French café was a favourite amongst students and staff. Like last year, KS2 students were invited to sample a French breakfast in Class 9 with Mr Emery and his year 4 group. Each class enjoyed singing in French and were then able to order from KS2 students, learning the basics such as ‘Bonjour’, ‘s’il vous plaît’ and ‘merci.’ KS2 students then put their French linguistic skills to the test to then host their KS1 reading buddies in their classroom.

Finally, at the end of the day, Mrs Curnow and Mrs Best had KS1 enthralled with a reading of ‘Goolan’ to celebrate the Cornish language. In addition, Mrs Best and Mr Jones serenaded the children with songs featuring Welsh, Cornish and French. Mr Jones and Mr Emery led a European singalong in KS2, which culminated in a school record of 8 languages being sung in one song. This rounded off a fantastic day which marked an important day in the school calendar.

A huge ‘Meur ras’, ‘diolch yn fawr,’ ‘merci,’ ‘gracias,’ ‘dzien dobry,’ aciu’ and ‘obrigado’ to all of those who helped to make the day a huge success.

Sleeping with the Sharks

1st July 2023 by Michael Pearson

To top off a school year filled with adventure, excitement and challenge, Year 2 pupils embarked upon an incredible opportunity to ‘sleep with the sharks’ at Plymouth’s National Marine Aquarium.

Following a joyous minibus journey up the A30 and across the Tamar Bridge, we arrived at the aquarium, which is located on the beautiful and historic Sutton harbour. Here, we were greeted with a warm welcome by the National Marine Aquarium staff.

The next stop on Year 2’s marine voyage was an ‘Inventafish’ workshop, in which pupils explored some fascinating ocean artefacts (including the jaw of a tiger shark, a giant turtle shell and a sawfish rostrum!) and learned about the adaptive features of a host of sea creatures. We discovered that both the turtle’s protective shell and the humpback whale’s baleen (the comb-like filter-feeding system) are made from keratin – the same stuff that our fingernails and hair are made of!

The pupils were then tasked to ‘inventafish’, using their creative imagination and prior knowledge of ocean animals to design, draw and write about a fictitious sea creature. We had venomous deep-sea creatures with octopus legs, petrifying bioluminescent lures and 30 foot-tall sea monsters that live by the light of the moon!

Following the workshop, we were treated to dinner in the aquarium’s Waves Café, which boasts a panoramic view of Sutton Harbour. The café with filled with excitement and glee and the pupils enjoyed their dinner and watched as the fishing ships pulled into the harbour.

After dinner, we were walked down to the Eddystone Reef Exhibit. This is the largest single viewing panel in the UK, but it’s also home to a stunning array of local sharks, rays and many more amazing ocean animals… It would also be our bedroom for the night!

We were incredibly lucky to be guided on a twilight tour of the aquarium – a fascinating chance to see what the fish get up to at night! The expertly knowledged and entertaining aquarium staff led a series of workshops and activities: we went on a treasure hunt for coral fish, learned about the complex biology of coral and met Cooper, the resident humphead wrasse, whose species can grow almost the size of a small car in the wild!

With beds made and pyjamas on, the children were treated to an ice cream while they watched Finding Dory on a big screen in front of the Eddystone Reef tank. We were then lulled to sleep under the moonlight tank, accompanied by the relaxing sound of water circling through the tanks.

After an early rise, we packed our bags and headed back up to the Waves Café for a buffet breakfast of toast and cereal. Before leaving, the pupils enjoyed a scour of the gift shop, buying a range of thoughtful gifts for themselves and others, which I’m sure will be cherished as fond memories of a wonderful aquarium adventure!

What an incredible experience and a huge effort from pupils, parents and staff alike to make it happen. A massive thank you to the National Marine Aquarium for hosting an unforgettable sleepover!

Year 5 Residential at the Mount Batten Center

24th June 202310th May 2023 by Nic Stanlake

Last week the majority of Year 5 headed on the Train to Plymouth for a three day residential; not content with the one mode of transport we then headed across Plymouth Sound on a ferry. The Mount Batten Centre is a Water-sports centre based right on the water front. Here we spent the week orienteering, bell boating, giant SUPing, climbing and abseiling.

Rafting

The children set off in their white water rafts on to the calm waters of Plymouth Sound where they had to work together in teams to paddle and steer around the buoys to race each other in a friendly race. They then had the opportunity to jump in, a real challenge for some but one in which the children accepted.

Climbing

We had the opportunity to take advantage of the onsite climbing and bouldering wall. Again an activity that required strength, flexibility and teamwork as the children were responsible for ‘spotting’ and belaying their friends and class mates.

Bell Boating

The bell boating was quite leisurely. That was until we payed a game where you had to drop your paddle between the two boats and crawl to the back to catch it before we paddled off without it!

Abseiling

It was on the abseiling and ladder that many children felt uncomfortable but many a fear was conquered. The still images of the ladder do not show how violently it wobbles as you try to climb it! The sheer nature of the ladder meant that every run the children climbed was a huge step in conquering the fear of heights some possess. The abseiling was not only fun and exciting but provided the opportunity to look over over the sound to Barbican and beyond. The abseiling was the firm fan favourite amongst the children.

SUP

The giant stand up paddle boards should be renamed to ‘ the giant sit on paddle boards’ as standing and balancing with 7 to 8 other people was neigh on impossible but boy did the children give it go! The paddle boards again required a huge amount of team work as well are core strength.

Beach Clean

One evening we went for a wander and stumbled upon a small beach; here the children decided to perform a beach clean. This was particularly pleasing as in class we have been studying the topic of conservation and the dangers of plastic pollution. We found lots of different things which we disposed of safely as well as some shells and sea glass to bring home with us.

Orienteering

After the extensive work we have undertaken learning how to orienteer at school, this was a walk in/near the park. The children needed to use their map reading skills to find some clues. These clues were then work different amounts of ‘Mount Batten Money’ which the children exchanged for different materials to protect and safely bring an egg down to land from the balcony- here we had differing levels of success.

School residential are a wonderful way for the children to show a slightly different, more relaxed side to themselves. The provide a wonderful opportunity to spend a night or two away from family, some for the first time and try lots of different things they would maybe never have done before. Residentials are brilliant and this one was no different.

Best Selling Author Drops into Year 3

“Penpol pupils are curious, creative and courageous learners. Our school community believes in authenticity as the foundations of deep-rooted learning. Through our rich and relevant curriculum, we nurture community-minded, forward-facing international citizens of the future.”