Upper Base

Upper Base consists of children in Years 5 and 6. Lessons follow the National Curriculum but are enriched by a variety of visits outside of school. These range from a Victorian mansion in History lessons, to Junior Citizen for PHSE, to ice-skating for PE. We also welcome special visitors or workshops into school, such as The Young Shakespeare Company who perform Macbeth to Year 6, and the Astrodome which enables us to marvel at the Universe. 

Children in Year 6 are also given the opportunity to visit the Isle of Arran in Scotland. This trip has become almost legendary; every year children return full of awe and wonder at the beauty of the location and with many happy memories. The trip plays a great part in helping them to gain independence in readiness for their move to secondary school. 

The school year ends with a musical performance of singing, dancing and acting. Past productions have included the Sound of Music, Midsummer’s Night’s Dream and Cinderfella. These productions are led by the children who attend the weekly Dance/Drama Club. This club is just one of the many clubs on offer to Upper base. Children are encouraged to attend extra curricular clubs as we feel this enriches their learning and encourages them to broaden their curriculum at secondary school. 

We encourage Upper Base children to volunteer for specific roles within the school. Two of these roles are BFGS and Peer Mediators. BFGs (Big Friendly Giants) “befriend” a child in Early Years, Year 1 or 2 to help that child gain confidence or play more o-operatively in the playground. Peer Mediators are given 6 weekly training sessions to enable them to support children with resolving some friendship issues. As well as this, every Year 6 child has a responsibility in the school from reading with younger children to setting up for assemblies.   

 Throughout their two years in Upper Base, we gradually prepare children for their move to secondary school. A trained counsellor holds lunchtime “drop-in” sessions for any child who feels the need to discuss any concerns. Our PHSE curriculum encourages pupils to reflect on the consequences of their behaviour and support them with making new friends at their next school. We are proud that our children leave primary school as confident individuals prepared for the next stage of their education.