Atlas 2026/27

Welcome back to a brand-new term! We have hit the ground running with an action-packed start to our learning journey. Here is a look at what we have been exploring together so far:

Storytelling & Expressive Arts Our learning kicked off with the wonderful story The Lion’s Roar and the Mouse’s Rustle. Inspired by the characters, the children created their own lion and mouse masterpieces. They experimented with a variety of textures and unconventional tools—using everything from crinkled tinfoil to cotton buds and soft cotton wool—to bring their artwork to life with different effects and tactile layers.

Practical Culinary Skills We rolled up our sleeves and stepped into the kitchen! The class carefully followed a step-by-step recipe to measure, mix, and bake delicious homemade scones. The absolute best part, of course, was sitting down together to enjoy their warm creations for snack time.

Local History & Sensory Exploration We have also begun a fascinating local history topic exploring the arrival of the Sikh community at Gravesend. To help bring this history to life, the children took part in an immersive, multi-sensory workshop:

• The River Thames at Gravesend: Using a dedicated water setup representing the historic Gravesend docks, the learners splashed in the water to feel its coldness, navigating small boats along their own mini "Thames."

• Tactile Clay Work: Exploring the concept of finding a new home, the children worked with soft clay to press in historical textures like coiled rope, wood grain, and heavy anchors.

• Immersive Soundscapes: All the while, ambient sounds of a bustling dockside and gently moving water played in the background, helping the children connect tactile play directly to the story of historic journeys and new beginnings.

We are so proud of how enthusiastically the children have thrown themselves into their learning, and we cannot wait to see where this term takes us next!

This Week in Learning

In Week 2 of our sensory inquiry curriculum, our learners deepened their cross-curricular exploration through tactile problem-solving, creative art, and functional communication. Across engaging lessons, students navigated new textures, patterns, and collaborative experiences:

• English & Maths (The Lion’s Net & The Mouse’s Chew): Learners tackled problem-solving and cardinality by untangling plastic numbers and "trapped" lions from 'rope' nets. They practiced counting objects and identifying grid shapes.

• DT & Maths (The Scone Shape & Measure): Kneading and rolling scone dough provided a tactile backdrop for measuring and comparing geometric shapes. Students practiced functional communication by requesting specific cookie cutters from peers.

• Citizenship & Art (Spotting the "Fake" Texture): Exploring the concept of trustworthy media, learners differentiated between real natural items and synthetic materials in feely-bags. 

• History & Art (The Golden Dome of the Gurdwara): Students explored community identity and architecture by molding clay domes and decorating them with reflective tin foil and various other materials, all while enjoying ambient sounds of Gurdwara bells and chimes.

• RE & PSPD (The Rules of the Classroom Mirror): Focusing on personal boundaries and responsibility, learners used foil mirrors and sensory foam to practice physical boundaries, turn-taking, and respectful interactions with peers.

Sensory Explorations & Space Saving in Week 3!

Week 3 was packed with hands-on discovery and creative learning:

• Gurdwara & Langar Learning: We built model Gurdwaras and explored the traditions of Langar through sensory play—smelling herbs and spices, then using total communication to share our likes and dislikes.

• Spice Painting: Mixing our featured spices with water, we painted detailed Gurdwara pictures and colourful Rangoli designs.

• Exploring Boundaries: Using shaving foam to mark personal working zones, we challenged ourselves to build tall towers while respecting each other’s personal space.

We can't wait for Week 4!