London’s Burning! Year 1 recreate the Great Fire

This term Year One have been learning about the Great Fire of London. This topic has ignited an enthusiasm for learning in our pupils as, over the course of the term, pupils have been inspired to complete independent research outside school on the subject. They have been so inspired by the topic that the children have clocked up an impressive number of Subject Merits and Headmaster Awards based on their topic work.

As Half Term approached, Year One celebrated the end of their topic in a very special, King’s Hawford way. Our staff are always keen to provide our pupils with unforgettable, hands-on learning experiences. With this in mind, our Year One teaching team made sure the topic finished with a bang. On Wednesday, Year One were joined in The Barn by their parents for a junk modelling session. The aim of the afternoon was to recreate a model of Pudding Lane. Pupils and parents accepted the challenge and by the end of the afternoon had crafted an impressive version of Pudding Lane in miniature . There was even a mini bakery and a model of St Paul’s Cathedral! It was evident that a lot of hard work had been put in.

On Thursday, there was an air of excitement in Year One; the children were keen to recreate the Great Fire. During the day Mrs Rand and Miss Lake transported the model to a safe location on site. Our Learning Outside the Classroom Coordinator, Mrs Redman inspected the model and ensured it was safely placed.  At 3pm the pupils and their parents gathered around the safety perimeter that was in place around the model. As the children watched on intently Mrs Redman started the fire in the “bakery”. The children gasped as the fire quickly took hold, spreading from building to building.

Within minutes the whole model had been reduced to ash. This was brilliant lesson for the children to witness: not only did the activity provide children with a very memorable end to the topic, it also demonstrated how quickly a fire can take hold once it has started, and the Year One teachers were able to discuss fire safety with all the children.