Year 1 and Year 2 Prep School pupils had an exciting first day of term when they arrived in costume to support the topics they are exploring over the coming weeks.

Year 1 children and teachers dressed as Superheroes to help inspire some extraordinary creative writing, and the Year 2s arrived dressed as an important figure from the 1900s back to the Vikings, in support of the Timeline of Brilliant Britain.

Lessons for Year 1 began on a high note when they launched the topic by learning a Superhero song, before reading a book about how to be a Superhero. Every child then explained to the class why they had chosen their character and the powers which made him or her exceptional.

Year 1 teacher Mrs Bonnie Steel said: “My Team Super Steel made the first day back at school really special. They did a fantastic show and tell about their costumes, which will help in this term’s task of inventing their own Superhero profile. We’ll be inspiring each other to invent a new Superhero: his or her powers, outfit and origins will feed into a storyboard to guide them in planning a Superhero story.”

After half term the children will learn about real Superheroes in our community and will be visited by guests such as a school nurse and lifeguard, who will talk about their roles. Further inspiration is planned in the form of trips to the Lighthouse at Flamborough Head and Bridlington Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Year 2 are exploring the Changes over Time theme this term, with a focus on a Timeline of Brilliant Britain. Everyone made a presentation about the historical character they had dressed as for the day, and the class made a timeline, ordering their characters chronologically and discussing their influence in history.

A living history interpreter from the Danelaw Dark Age Village at Murton Park visited to show children how the Vikings used to live. A few myths were dispelled as pupils examined evidence showing how Vikings worked together as raiders, sailors, traders, settlers, farmers and craftsmen.

Comments from Year 2 children included:

“My Viking Helmet fell down and I couldn’t see anything. Viking helmets did not have horns as they would have not been practical for fighting.” Oliver

“The Viking girls wore keys on their aprons to show they were married.” Florence

Year 2 teacher Mrs Romney Walton said: “There are numerous reasons why I love teaching children about the History of Britain. Not only is it part of where we have come from and about our identity but it is about nurturing an interest in people and places. History is full of wonderful characters and stories which hook the children’s interest in the subject. From this we encourage critical thinking about how and why the characters act in in different ways and what happens because of it - the cause and effect. It helps children to understand how living has changed and how in some ways it may be the same.

“Processing and understanding different points of view are key skills to develop as children navigate their journey through life. This learning also supports our core British Values as children express an interest and understanding of our Brilliant Britain!”