Summer Term Forest School

Forest School (sometimes called Woodland Learning) is an important part of the curriculum at Heritage, with pupils from Upper Prep through to Year 8 taking part in sessions at different points throughout the year. This term, Year 2, Upper Prep and Year 7 enjoyed their time in the woods, taking part in a variety of outdoor learning activities designed to build confidence, practical skills and an appreciation for the natural world.

Each Forest School session offers something different. Pupils might learn bushcraft skills, discover how to make a water filter, develop navigation skills or work on creative projects using natural materials. The emphasis is on learning through experience in an outdoor setting.

The woodland environment provides a welcome contrast to the classroom and gives children the chance to engage with nature in a hands-on way. Seasonal changes, weather conditions and the interests of the pupils all help shape the activities, creating fresh opportunities for discovery throughout the year.

It has been wonderful to see pupils embracing everything that Forest School has to offer this term. Whether learning practical outdoor skills, working together on a challenge or simply spending time exploring the woodland environment, they have gained valuable experiences that support their learning.

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Year 5 & 6 Camp: Outdoor Adventure in Norfolk

This year’s Year 5/6 Camp in Norfolk was a fantastic week of adventure, challenge and friendship. Set in the beautiful Norfolk countryside, the camp gave pupils plenty of opportunities to step outside their comfort zones, work together and develop their confidence.

One of the highlights was a visit to a local activity centre, where pupils took on climbing challenges and worked in teams to build and test their own rafts. They also enjoyed a day on the River Bure at Horning, trying paddleboarding and putting their balance and determination to the test. A boat trip on Hickling Broad provided a more relaxed opportunity to explore the area’s wildlife.

Although the weather was sometimes wet and challenging, the pupils approached every activity with enthusiasm, resilience and a positive attitude. They represented the school brilliantly and should be proud of everything they achieved.

A huge thank you to all the staff and volunteers whose support, encouragement and hard work made the camp such a success: Mr Fox, Mr Dalton, Mrs Young, Mr Carter, Miss Woodroffe, Mr Seth Fletcher, David Johnson and Steve Wright.

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Heritage Finalists Impress at National Shakespeare Event

This year, as part of their Shakespeare Monologue Competition, the ISA for the first time selected young actors to take part as finalists in a day of workshops and performances inspired by Shakespeare. Excitingly, three pupils from Heritage were chosen as finalists — making us the only school to have a finalist in each age group.

William (Y6), Hanna (Y7), and Eva (Y11) travelled to Milton Keynes to compete on 22 April. During the day, they took part in inspiring workshops alongside the other finalists before performing their prepared monologues.

All three pupils performed with both zeal and sensitivity, and were thrilled when Eva received the Shakespeare Specialist Judges’ Award in her age category. The judges commented: “A funny, thoughtful response… lovely writing, witty and interesting… Great stage presence, great comedy timing and wonderful confidence.”

Well done to all the Heritage pupils who submitted entries to the competition, and especially to Eva for this fantastic achievement.

 

 

Year 7 & 8 Camp

Year 7 and 8 pupils recently returned from an adventurous four-day camp in the Peak District, held from 5–8 May. Centered at the Thornbridge Outdoors site, with 55 beautiful acres of countryside, the camp provided an opportunity for pupils to challenge themselves, build friendships, and enjoy the outdoors together.

Throughout the week, pupils took part in a wide variety of adventurous activities. These included mountain biking along the Monsal Trail, canoeing on Combs Reservoir, team problem-solving challenges, volleyball, and the always popular Capture the Flag. Pupils also explored the Peak District on foot, including a memorable 13km hike from Edale up Grindsbrook Clough onto the Kinder Scout ridge, past the Woolpacks and down Jacob’s Ladder — a rewarding physical challenge set amongst some of the area’s most dramatic scenery.

During the evenings, pupils gathered around the campfire to share s’mores and sing camp songs together. Despite the chilly early-May temperatures, the pupils adapted brilliantly, showing great resilience throughout the trip. The fantastic food and beautiful surroundings helped make the experience especially memorable for everyone involved.

A huge thank you goes to the staff who attended and helped lead the camp: Mr Fox, Mr Burden, Mr Seth Fletcher, Mrs Scarlata, and Mrs Eastwood. We are also extremely grateful to the volunteers from the wider Heritage community — parents, former parents, and family members Rachel Bruins, Ruth Bruins, Pete Smye, and Paolo Marozzi — whose support and generosity helped make the trip such a success.

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Heritage Seniors Win Top Awards at RoboCon Robotics Competition

During the Easter holidays, following over a term of dedicated preparation, two teams from Heritage competed in Hills Road Sixth Form College’s RoboCon — a highly competitive robotics event for Year 9–11 students.

Our pupils designed, built and programmed their own robots to compete in an arena challenge, where the goal was to capture and steal blocks while avoiding collisions with walls, vertical columns and rival robots — hazards that could (and sometimes did) cause significant damage to their machines.

The teams showcased two distinct robot designs: one developed using CAD software alongside laser cutting and 3D printing technologies, and another created through hand-drawn plans and traditional construction methods.

As is often the case with this two-day event, the first day was a mix of intense effort and last-minute problem-solving. Teams made rapid modifications to meet competition regulations — with drills and saws in action — and worked to ensure their software performed reliably in the arena environment.

Day two brought outstanding success. The Heritage teams secured both first and second place in the final knockout stage, competing against a strong field of innovative and highly capable young engineers.

Congratulations to all sixteen teams from across Cambridgeshire for their hard work and creativity in bringing their robotic ideas to life.

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Heritage pupils competing with robots at RoboCon.