A journey back to ancient Greece immersed children in its culture and heritage at Upton Juniors in Broadstairs.

As part of the wide-ranging adventure into the important civilisation Year 5 pupils celebrated by dressing in costume to immerse themselves in the period.

It was part of a WOW Day aimed at engaging the year group in a hands-on manner, fostering a deeper understanding of this significant historical era.

Throughout the day, they explored various activities that highlighted aspects of life in those times. This included Greek good tasting that introduced them to traditional flavours and culinary practices. Additionally, they engaged in sports events, including discus throwing and tug of war, allowing them to experience the physical challenges faced by athletes in the early days of the Olympic Games.

The creative side of the period was also explored through pottery designing, where students linked their designs to the Olympic events. To further enrich the experience, traditional Greek dancing sessions were enthusiastically enjoyed providing an insight into the cultural expressions of the time.

They also listened to captivating Greek stories and myths, sparking their imaginations.

Head of Year 5 Billie Danson said: “Our children looked resplendent in their colourful costumes that depicted a cross section of society. Clearly a lot of effort went into creating the outfits and this helped make the day so memorable.

“Overall, it was a resounding success, offering our children an enriching opportunity to delve into the history of Ancient Greece in an engaging and memorable way.”

Pupils plan to create a double-page spread dedicated to Greek Gods and Goddesses, focussing on the use of parenthesis, enabling them to add additional information and detail to their descriptions.

They will also write an internal monologue from the perspective of Odysseus, exploring his feelings of failure regarding his men. This exercise aims to deepen their understanding of character motivation and narrative voice.

The architectural significance of the Parthenon will be explored to understand its cultural importance in Ancient Greek society, providing a deeper appreciation of historical landmarks.

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “Exploring such a memorable civilisation as the development of ancient Greece is important - it offers our children the chance to understand its place in history through a broad range of learning opportunities.”

For more information contact Head of School Darci Arthur on 01843 861393