Children from all age groups were inspired by a diverse range of poets who they have explored as part of their literacy learning.  As well as researching about the poets, pupils added choreography to their presentations, while some even used props.

Poetry is an important part of the curriculum at Upton and every child was given the opportunity to learn a poem off by heart with their teacher.

They thought about the importance of projecting their voice and using their bodies to perform the poem as well. Furthermore, they had so much fun with poetry, thinking about the actions they could use and how they could use their voices to exaggerate words or make them more emotive.

Works performed included Gran, Can You Rap?, Just A Book, Scissors, The Magic Box, Homework!Homework!, and The Schoolkids’ Rap.

Assistant Head of School Gemma Scarr explained: “Oracy - the ability to articulate ideas, engage in active listening, and communicate effectively through spoken language - is one of Upton's golden threads and it runs through everything we do.

“The poetry recitals have been an important part of the children's learning around oracy especially that of speaking and listening.

“It was a wonderful event celebrating poetry, performance and oracy. The hall, on every occasion, was full of parents and families celebrating the children and the wonderful job they did.

“Poetry is so important and watching the children immerse themselves and be creative was a joy.” 

The recital was described as “a fantastic celebration of the many and varied styles of poetry the pupils have been enjoying” by Head of School Darci Arthur.

She added: “They showed a great deal of confidence and performed very well. The recital also demonstrated their communication skills and helped reinforce self-esteem and team building. It was a lovely event which we all enjoyed.”

Upton Juniors is part of the Viking Academy Trust with partner schools Chilton Primary and Ramsgate Arts Primary.

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

The global annual event saw Upton’s digital leader team from Year 5 and Year 6 pupils present a special information assembly to the whole school.

They delivered an engaging and informative presentation and explained how AI works in everyday apps and platforms, discussed both the benefits and risks of AI, and shared practical advice on staying safe while using AI-powered tools.

The digital leaders encouraged their peers to become responsible digital citizens and reminded everyone that while AI can be a powerful tool for creativity and learning, it must be used thoughtfully and ethically.

Teacher Chris Rowe is Head of Computing. He said: “Technology is evolving quickly, and it’s important that our pupils understand both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with it.

“Safer Internet Day gives us the chance to have meaningful conversations about how we can all contribute to a safer, kinder online community.”

In addition, the school also hosted a parent workshop to reinforce key online safety messages about apps, games, and social media platforms so that they can support their children at home.

Mr Rowe added: “Parent workshops are great way to strengthen the partnership between school and families in promoting safe and responsible technology use.

“Upton Juniors remains committed to promoting digital literacy and ensuring that all students feel confident and safe navigating the online world.”

Head of School Darci Arthur agreed and added: “We are mindful of the need for our children to make informed choices about the way that AI and all computer and smart technology is used. Safer Internet Day was a great platform for us to reinforce information that we regularly discuss with our children throughout the year.”

Safer Internet Day online says: “Over the years, Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is now celebrated in approximately 170 countries worldwide.”

The event is held every February 10. Find out more online at www. saferinternet.org.uk

Upton Juniors is part of the Viking Academy Trust with partner schools Chilton Primary and Ramsgate Arts Primary.

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

Pupils and staff showed their creative cleverness as the whole school celebrated the NSPCC national Numbers Day 2026 and have so far already raised £262 (donations are still coming in) to wear their own outfits to raise awareness about the charity that helps keep children safe from abuse.

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “Our number day was built upon the premise of raising money for the NSPCC to maintain the highly important and effective work that will help their support/help line.

“This charity does crucial work keeping children safe and we are proud to offer our support.

“Maths is very strong at Upton and Number Day each year gives the children an opportunity to experience the fun and creativity of the subject.”

Upton’s Maths Lead Maisie Prescott discussed how the day unfolded. She said: “We began with a number day assembly that discussed the importance of the NSPCC’s charity work and then children participated in a whole school maths challenge.

“Pupils dressed as digits or as their favourite times table rockstar in lieu of uniform and made a donation to the charity. They enjoyed a range of fun, interactive Maths activities such as escape rooms, using treasure maps and mathematical art and music to celebrate the importance of Maths.

“It was wonderful to see the children so enthusiastic about their learning during Number Day. Throughout they were enthusiastically engaged in a wide range of hands-on activities and games, and it’s been fantastic to witness their excitement for learning and exploring many different elements of Maths.”

Cracking the Earth’s Core is the challenge for Year 4 children who are investigating how earthquakes occur and how volcanoes are formed.

A special WOW Day saw pupils take part in a range of themed activities. They created and painted picture of a volcanic eruption by using cotton buds and made a 3D volcano using sugar paper and tissue paper.

Guest visitor Tom from One Day Creative used drama to teach the children about the myths around volcanoes and earthquakes from different cultures, while Anna from PrimeVR helped transport the group to different volcanoes around the world, watching real footage of them erupting in 3D.

During their normal lessons they continued with an English text called ‘I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens', an historical fiction based on the 1980 eruption in America, witnessed by an 11-year-old girl who watched in terror and awe as the mountain exploded with the power of ten million tons of dynamite.

They wrote a setting description of the mountain before and after the eruption, focusing on using figurative language. They brought it to life by acting out a scene from the text and created a storyboard with the images.

They are also discovering the story of Mount Pelée's devastating 1902 eruption in Martinique, where a powerful pyroclastic flow (hot ash/gas cloud) from the volcano obliterated the city of Saint-Pierre, killing nearly all its 30,000 inhabitants in minutes. Their descriptive challenge is to write a newspaper report based on the details.

The learning continues at home where pupils are invited to delve into the topic by exploring the subject further and putting together work such as a presentation, a poster or other creative efforts to bring in to school.

Head of Year 4 Nikki Lewis said: “The WOW Day was extra special. The group was so enthusiastic and really enjoyed the various activities that dovetail in with this fascinating topic that is weaving its way through their learning this term.

“Pupils are really embracing all the different elements to gain a varied, balanced and informed overview of earthquakes and volcanoes in our world.”

Upton Juniors is part of the Viking Academy Trust with partner schools Chilton Primary and Ramsgate Arts Primary.

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

The Year 4 group unearthed a variety of information as they pieced together the creation and development of one of the most fascinating periods in history.

Their learning encompassed a range of skills to help them understand what made Ancient Egypt tick and why it has remained such a rich and interesting subject centuries later.

They discovered the creation and intent behind the building of the majestic pyramids and understood the importance of the River Nile to the survival of the ancient Egyptians and created a 3D model of the waterway.

The group visited an exhibition at Maidstone Museum and focussed on the meaning behind the rite of mummification, as well as creating a canopic jar out of clay. To further their understanding of the mummification process, the children mummified a tomato following the different steps.

In class, they researched the Egyptian hierarchy and placed some key events on a timeline (which the children made using string and the events on cards). They also looked at the reliability of sources and ancient Egyptian architecture.

A special focus WOW Day, encouraged pupils to dress in costumes linked to civilisation with a range of colourful, detailed outfits on show as they worked through a range of activities.

These included making a clay cartouche and deciphering a story written in hieroglyphs, performing a drama based on the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, creating a death mask headdress, constructing pyramids made out of lolly sticks, and designing and playing a Top Trumps style game about Egyptian gods and goddesses.

Head of Year 4 Nikki Lewis said: “Our children were enthusiastic and really engaged in digging deep to discover the many and varied aspects of how Ancient Egypt evolved. It was a fascinating topic for them.”

Head of School Darci Arthur agreed and added: “Exploring an ancient civilisation, learning about the culture and heritage and then having a day of creativity gave our Year 4 group a rich all-round rich experience in the classroom that was enhanced by their visit to the museum.”

Upton Juniors is part of the Viking Academy Trust with partner schools Chilton Primary and Ramsgate Arts Primary.

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

Year 5 children took part in a special STEM Day (Science, Engineering, Technology and Maths) working from an RAF video information film where they acquired insights into the engineering principles underlying rocket design and construction.

It encouraged them to design and build their own rockets, culminating in a series of exhilarating tests.

It was part of a term-long fascinating journey through the stars as the group discovered the mysteries of space.

Their learning began with an in-depth study of Galileo Galilei and his groundbreaking discoveries - pupils actively engaged in dramatisations, portraying Galileo’s findings and the societal reactions they provoked during his time.

The voyage of discovery also encompassed a comprehensive exploration of the planets within the solar system, examining their distinct properties.

Through this, pupils gained an understanding of the Earth’s orbit around the sun, as well as the moon’s orbit around the Earth. To facilitate this learning, an innovative approach was employed using Oreo biscuits to illustrate the various phases of the moon, thereby enhancing the students’ grasp of celestial dynamics.

Modern-day space tourism was also explored, with children creating their own space adverts, showcasing their imaginative ideas about travelling to the stars.

They also crafted their own space narrative poetry, letting their imaginations soar using rich figurative language to transport the group through the wonders of the universe - from twinkling stars to distant planets, their poems were a vibrant reflection of their thoughts and feelings about space.

Head of Year 5 Billie Danson said the space learning work was multi-faceted. She added: “Furthermore, the concept of day and night was thoroughly investigated, fostering a deeper comprehension of the Earth’s rotation.

“The enthusiasm displayed by the children has been remarkable, with many conducting additional research at home to enrich classroom discussions.

“We explored the thrilling space race and discussed the monumental achievement of the first landing on the moon. Their curiosity and excitement have been infectious, with many sharing their own thoughts on what it must have been like to be an astronaut. It’s incredible to see them drawing connections between past events and our present understanding of the universe.

“This term has proven to be both educational and inspiring, igniting a passion for space exploration among the students.”

Upton Juniors is part of the Viking Academy Trust with partner schools Chilton Primary and Ramsgate Arts Primary.

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

They have vowed to increase their support for the natural world and local habitats following an inspirational meeting from local environmentalist George Cooper, winner of the BBC Kent ‘make a difference’ green award, who was a special guest at their first meeting of the school year.

Hannah Cheshire, Deputy Head of School at Chilton Primary, said: “Mr Cooper has been working on Minster marshes for years, protecting and encouraging all wildlife, but mostly bird populations.

“He taught the children about the importance of this local area and shared with the children how he has campaigned to make a difference.

“Inspired by his actions, the children have gone back to their individual schools to spread the word in support of being more vigilant about these important issues that affect us all.

“It is an excellent opportunity for our pupils to be engaged with considering how each school can work together to further expand their green initiatives like being eco warriors, caring for wildlife and encouraging sustainability.

This year the joint meetings of the Junior Leadership Team will further focus on how the children can make a difference within their school and local community.

At their first get together held at Upton Junior School the group also discussed National Parliament Week, linking the role that junior leaders have in school to that of their local members of parliament. They discussed the importance of listening to and representing the thoughts and wishes of their peers in school and considering the positive changes they could make in school.

The children will the democratically choose another local issue they wish to raise awareness of and create a campaign in support of it.

Their simple but critical aim is to support senior leaders in the running of the Trust’s three partners, Upton Juniors in Broadstairs, Chilton Primary, and Ramsgate Arts primary.

Elected by their peers, each school’s individual leadership group meets together three times a year in order to learn from each other or work on joint ventures.

The inter-school networking and pupil voice initiative can involve many aspects ranging from fund raising to making lunchtimes more exciting – the junior leaders’ views are vital in raising what is important from them and in shaping school improvement.

Executive Head Teacher of the Trust Michaela Lewis says the joint JLT networking sessions and the roles each group has to play in their own schools are vital.

She explained: “Our senior staff embrace their ideas and suggestions, which are discussed thoughtfully and seriously. It fully involves our children in having a true voice in what could be done to further enhance life in our three schools and in our wider community.”

*Contact Viking Academy Trust Executive Head Teacher Michaela Lewis on 01843 582847

Children collectively put their best feet forward to take part in the Odd Socks Day to highlight the UK Anti-Bullying Week that runs from November 14-18.

Pupils donned their brightest and boldest socks in a mismatched pair as the fabulous footwear made a sparkling show in classrooms and around the school backed up by the nationwide Anti-Bullying Alliance charity’s serious message – everyone is different in their own way.

The learning centred on the theme Power for Good and children engaged with the nationwide BBC live lesson which embraced kindness and the importance of standing up and speaking out.

Upton’s Personal Development Lead Izzy Reed explained: “Anti Bullying Week works in relation with the Anti-Bullying Alliance to raise awareness of bullying and teaches ways to prevent and stop this.

“It forms part of Upton's personal development curriculum - with key links to our overarching themes of relationships, health and wellbeing, and living in the wider world.

“It is important that children feel confident in their power to stand up for what is right.”

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “Upton was even brighter than usual as the children wore odd socks with their school uniform. This was an initiative to celebrate being unique and different - with each child wearing mismatched pairs with various patterns, images and words.

“It reflects and endorses the Dr Seuss inspirational quote that can be found on our school walls – ‘why fit in when you were born to stand out’.

“Kindness, tolerance and respect are central to our core values and our pupils are aware of our ongoing anti-bullying message which is reaffirmed regularly. They know they have a safe and secure school in which to enjoy their learning, and if any of them need to discuss any issues including bullying they know they can speak in confidence to a member of staff immediately.

“Anti-bullying week is an excellent nationwide campaign and offers a platform for our school community to further discuss important issues.”

Anti Bullying Week ran from November 10-14. Upton supports the 2025 Anti-Bullying Alliance core message. It reads:

“Every year, bullying impacts the lives of countless young people and silence helps it grow.

“This Anti-Bullying Week, we’re empowering young people to use their Power for Good to safely speak up and raise awareness when they see bullying, face to face or online.

“Lasting change needs all of us. From playgrounds to parliament, our homes to our phones — we all have a part to play.

“Together, we can use our Power for Good to end bullying — for good.”

For more information go online to www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Upton Juniors is part of the Viking Academy Trust with partner schools Chilton Primary and Ramsgate Arts Primary.

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

The theme set for 2025 by the national event was ‘how many activities can you do 25 times?’

Pupils from Year 3 to Year 5 took part in a range of events, including activities such as bouncing a tennis ball without it falling, hula-hooping and doing star jumps.

Families donated for the non-uniform day, which saw year groups around school dressed in a range of Pudsey bear-themed outfits, colourful spotty costumes and much more.

Teacher Izzy Reed, Personal Development Lead at Upton, said: “It was another successful Children In Need day at Upton. Throughout school, we have discussed the importance of this charity’s work and how it seeks to help and support those who need it most.”

Donations for the charity are expected to raise around £600.

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “Team Upton became Team Pudsey for the day".

“We are very strong on the importance of safeguarding our young people which is why Children In Need strikes a strong chord with us.

Charity appeals like this really highlight the community spirit of the school and, once again we raised an impressive amount.

There were some cracking costumes on show all around the school – it was so colourful and there were happy children with smiles on their faces all day. We all had great fun and most importantly helped others less fortunate than ourselves at the same time.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

The accent was firmly on respect for those who fought during two world wars, other conflicts and for those who remain in active service around the globe today.

The Remembrance theme filtered through the whole day’s lessons across the age ranges with children completing a variety of creative writing tasks.

These included researching and understanding about the historic Christmas Day truce in the trenches during the First World War, with illustrative silhouette artwork created.

Pupils retold this story or wrote some thoughts and feelings from a soldier's point of view on poppies and stuck them onto their pictures.

Children also learned about the iconic In Flanders Fields war poem written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.

Blackout poetry – an art form where you create a new poem by selecting words from an existing text (like a book or newspaper) and blacking out the rest - was also part of the remembrance learning.

Meanwhile youngers pupils created an acrostic poem to reflect the Lest We Forget message and meaning; others used Maths skills to crack codes.

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “It was so wonderful to see all the children commemorating such a special day, giving thanks to those who have protected us.

“The storytelling, use of language, and artistic interpretations resulted in thought-provoking and evocative work. It demonstrated the depth of respect our children feel for Remembrance and highlighted how much they empathised with what they had researched and learnt.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

A weekly playlist is curated for the teachers and pupils to listen to during quiet learning time, music is played in the main hall during lunch and on the field at break time.

A Track of the Week is selected by music teacher Graham Smith - this is performed live each week in music assemblies and is always discussed at the start of music lessons with children identifying the instruments used, recognising the genre of the music and debating with one another about why they enjoy the music or not.

In their classrooms children now have access to their own drumsticks and as group they drum along to songs with rhythms shown on the whiteboard. This offers a break from other studies and promotes listening and working together while also having fun playing music.

A full year of musical experiences is under way. Mr Smith explained: “Our strong music curriculum fosters creativity by providing multiple performance opportunities, whilst also encouraging pupils to compose and record their own music.

“At the end of last year, we saw Year 5 compose their very own film music motifs for a Disney short called ‘Paperman’, a challenge that this year's Year 5 will undertake in terms 5 and 6. Our Year 4 group will explore how emotions play into music and will form their own class orchestras to perform the piece ‘Time’ by Hans Zimmer.

“Extra-curricular provision is always expanding with the introduction of three new clubs this year: keyboard, songwriters and boomwhackers which all bring a new element of musical ensemble to the school and will allow more children to access more musical activities.

“We now have four pupil pop and rock bands rehearsing each week, with each planning to perform in music assemblies, school concerts and community events out of school.

“Our string club keeps attracting a variety of our children to begin their journey of learning the violin; with regular concert performances they have a chance to bring the elegance of the strings to life in front of an audience.

“Drum club like it loud with some standout performances last year including a very difficult and upbeat performance of ‘Run Boy Run’ by Woodkid at our opening ceremony for sports day, and there are plans for some even bigger performances this year.

“Ukulele club spent a lot of time working on building up their melodic control and look to expand on that this year.

“Our combined senior and junior choir of more than 100 singers have a jam-packed calendar already with ten confirmed performances booked and more to come.

“The school will host six concerts featuring performances from all our music clubs as well as some talented solo artists.

“Our weekly online student radio, Radio Upton, continues to be a hit and a fresh roster of presenters brings a vibrant edge with new entertaining segments and more music.”

Upton also offers private instrumental lessons with music tutors oversubscribed highlighting that passion and enthusiasm for the subject is thriving.

Head of School Darci Arthur is delighted with the way the provision is expanding and is looking forward to where the musical journey takes the school this year.

She said: “It is a strong part of school life and it continues to grow, providing a comprehensive and enriching music education that empowers children to express themselves, collaborate with others, and achieve their musical goals.”

Mr Smith summed up: “Our carefully curated curriculum leans very heavily on building musical interests and being able to link that to new and vibrant areas that our children may not have experienced - that is why in one lesson we could be learning all about Taylor Swift, then side step into Beethoven and by the end of the lesson we have a 2020’s pop version of Fur Elise. It is a thrilling adventure.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

As part of the annual Hello Yellow day the school supported the work of the organisation with donations to wear yellow clothes raising more than £400.

Teacher Izzy Reed is Personal Development Leader at Upton. She led an assembly about the important work of the charity as part of the school’s health and wellbeing curriculum.

She said: “Children had the opportunity explore and discuss positive affirmations and what makes them happy. They learnt strategies they can use to feel calm and self-regulate.”

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “At Upton we have a strong and structured support network for our children enabling them to openly discuss their feelings and anxieties. They know that help and understanding is available whenever they need it in school.

“The Hello Yellow day is an important occasion as it focusses attention on strong and balanced mental health. This is also a part of our ongoing wellbeing strategy that covers a range of initiatives such as showing kindness and respect to others or enjoying the benefits of exercise like yoga to encourage a positive and well-balanced overall outlook.”

The Young Minds online website states: “Thousands of you are wearing yellow for World Mental Health Day (October 10). Thank you for showing young people they're not alone with their mental health.

“Right now, the world can be a tough place for children and young people to grow up in – and they're feeling the pressure. You're helping us raise vital funds to show them things can get better.”

*Find out more from www.youngminds.org.uk

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

Visiting the acclaimed Powell Cotton natural history museum at Quex in Birchington has given the Year 6 group a real hands-on approach to learning.

Investigating the collections, dioramas and world culture objects linked into their topic work studying the life of Darwin and his work on The Origin of the Species.

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “This is a fascinating learning adventure and we are so fortunate to have the excellent resources of such an acclaimed natural history museum on our doorstep. It is a fantastic asset.”

Year 6 teacher Stevie Bunce said: “Our pupils loved exploring the museum and sketching the diorama scenes that have been so carefully crafted by the museum curators.

“The children particularly enjoyed ‘Gallery 6’, a space where anyone can come and use the objects for study, creativity, or play.

“They loved handling the artefacts, inspecting them under a microscope and sketching them. They also enjoyed exploring the various masks, dressing up clothes and instruments this room had to offer.”

During the topic the year group is looking at how objects are categorised as part of their work involving evolution and inheritance.

They are investigating the idea that broad groupings, such as micro-organisms, plants and animals, can be sub-divided. They are discussing reasons why species are placed in one group and not another, recognising that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but understood that normally offspring vary and are not identical to their parents.

Natural selection and how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution is also part of their learning.

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

Success by the boys’ and girls’ teams in qualifying for the prestigious county showpiece is a superb double for Upton.

PE lead is Callum Noble. He said: “For the first time in over a decade both our boys’ and girls’ football teams have reached the Kent finals.

“This is an incredible achievement, and every player should feel immensely proud. We’re confident they will continue to do both Upton and Thanet proud when they compete against the very best in the county.”

The boys Year 5/6 side took part in qualifying rounds for the John Curran Cup across the district, progressing to the finals after dominating their group, beating Newlands, Northdown, St Joseph’s, and St Saviour’s with an impressive record of 10 goals scored and none conceded.

This outstanding performance secured their place in the finals at Margate Football Club’s Hartsdown Park stadium. Against tough opposition, the boys showed great resilience and defensive strength, keeping more clean sheets. They beat St George’s 1-0, Ramsgate Holy Trinity 1-0, drew with Minster 0-0 and defeated Salmestone 2-0 to be crowned John Curran Cup winners 2025.

The girls Year5/6 team competed in the DW Cup qualifiers, sweeping aside group round opponents St Ethelbert’s, Margate Holy Trinity, and Garlinge, winning all three games, scoring 15 goals, and conceding none.

This brilliant form carried them into the finals at Ramsgate Football Club’s Southwood stadium where they faced strong opposition. The girls dug deep to draw 1-1 with St Saviours, and beat Minster 2-1 and Cliftonville by the same margin.

Two further Upton football sides took part in the St Lawrence Cup, with both reaching the final. Mr Noble added: “This shows how dominant the teams were and meant that Upton were crowned St Lawrence Cup winners.”

Head of School Darci Arthur said the success underlines the determination, enthusiasm and talent of the school’s footballers. She added: “Our players are brilliant representatives for Upton.

“We offer a wide range of sports activities that are enjoyed by age groups at all abilities highlighting our belief that sport is for all at Upton.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

The fun event saw hundreds of pupils lap the playing fields on a circuit while happily being showered with a rainbow of vivid coloured powders.

Pupils from all age groups were joined by parents and staff as air cannons at the start doused them in a kaleidoscope of red, blue, green and yellow – the school’s ‘house colours’.

As they walked, jogged, ran and laughed their way round the crazy course the air was dense with colour as special ‘stations’ manned by teachers saw more shimmering showers doused on to the multi-coloured participants.

As they ploughed headlong into the swirling clouds, pupils donned a variety of sunglasses, goggles and masks to wear through the bright onslaught.

Head of School Darci Arthur explained the importance of the event. She said: “The colour run was all about a vibrant and lively get together for our children, families and staff to welcome another successful year for Team Upton.

“It celebrated our togetherness with a splash of colour and positivity. Initiatives like this are a great benefit to our pupils’ general well-being and positive mental health.

“Credit goes to our staff team who worked hard to ensure that all aspects of this great event ran like clockwork as the fun and frolics unfolded.

“We firmly believe school should be about making memories and having fun as well as about learning.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

The mental health awareness show aimed at primary education enthralled all year groups with an interactive and engaging performance.

Commissioned by the NHS and developed in partnership with educators, the lively theatre programme used storytelling and character-led humour to create space for important conversations around wellbeing.

Upton’s Personal Development Lead is teacher Izzy Reed. She said: “It was a great example of fun learning with a serious message. It aims to help pupils navigate their way through their wellbeing and encourages them to learn key points to help keep their mental health in tip top condition.

“The event was part of the school’s Personal Development Curriculum in which children study personal social health and education including the core theme of health and wellbeing.”

Shooting Star Entertainments presented the show which it says builds emotional literacy, turns wellbeing into storytelling, and offers high-energy and high-engagement performances.

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “At Upton we have a range of initiatives that are part of our school life to help manage our children’s emotional literacy skills and feelings.

“We discuss feelings and anxieties with our pupils openly and the children know that we are here to help if they need support.

“Awareness campaigns by charities and educational visits such as the Captain Wonderweb theatre show are important ways to reinforce our work that encourages children to learn about what supports their mental health at a young age.”

To further support children’s wellbeing and mental health, Upton is once again supporting Hello Yellow Day on Friday, October 10, which is run by the Young Minds charity.

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

Careful planning by staff has ensured that the class of 2025 are already integrating well into the community that will be their home from home for the next four years.

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “The first few weeks are extremely important and every effort is made to ensure they receive a warm welcome and are helped to feel part of our ‘family’ as soon as possible.

“They are encouraged to settle into a classroom pattern that very quickly helps them adapt to their new surroundings, fellow pupils and teachers.

“The transition so far has been very positive and I see lots of happy, excited and smiling children in our Year 3.

“Expert professionals are on hand to help guide them on their way and listen to any concerns they may have and offer reassurance and guidance.

“Families are also considered and we ensure that they get updates on how their children are settling in.”

Head of Year 3 Becky Andrews said that children have engaged in a variety of activities designed to help them feel comfortable in their new classroom environment.

She said: “They quickly started forming connections with their classmates and adults, and we’ve seen some fantastic energy and curiosity in the classroom.”

In a message to families, she said: “We understand that the first days at a new school can sometimes bring up questions, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to discuss how your child is adjusting.”

To find out how children are settling into life at Upton, teachers will be hosting meetings for parents on Monday, September 16, throughout the afternoon.

Weekly blogs on the school website are a go-to news and information source that share highlights from the classroom, showcase children’s achievements, and provide insights into the various activities and projects under way.

She added: “It's a fantastic way to stay connected and engage with your child's education.

“Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to many more exciting days ahead as we watch your child grow, learn, and thrive in Year 3.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

The award is in recognition of his exceptional dedication and impact on the development of young cricketers.

Callum, from Broadstairs Cricket Club, has already made a significant mark in the cricketing community and is known for an innovative coaching style, a passion for youth development and an ability to inspire both on and off the field.

Having played cricket since the age of 10, and as PE Lead and teacher at Upton Junior School, Callum is well placed to inspire the guide the next generation of cricketers.

The 26-year-old said: “It’s a real honour to be named Kent Young Coach of the Year 2025. Coaching has been such a rewarding part of my journey – it’s about more than just cricket; it’s about helping young people grow in confidence, character, and teamwork.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the players, parents and fellow coaches who’ve supported me along the way. This award inspires me to keep developing, keep learning, and continue giving back to the game that’s given me so much. I’m excited for what lies ahead.”

Junior Head Coach, Chris Kidd said: “Since Callum joined our junior section four years ago, he has helped our junior section go from strength to strength. The Under 11’s group has grown in not only participants but quality. This is down to his hard work, integrity, and commitment.

“He fully deserves this award, and the accolades as not only is he a wonderful coach, but he is also a great human being, and this is reflected within the children he coaches”.

Callum will be invited to the Kent Cricket’s Volunteers’ Day at The Spitfire Ground on Thursday 25 September, for a day of hospitality and to be presented with his award.

He will also now automatically be put forward by Kent Cricket for the ECB’s National Cricket Collective Awards 2025.

For anyone wishing to join Broadstairs Cricket Club, contact Chris Kidd by email broadstairscricketclub@gmail.com

The club is based at The Pavilion, Park Avenue, Broadstairs.

Call 01843 601590

The second annual event drew runners, walkers, joggers, pram-pushers and dog walkers from the three schools – Upton Juniors in Broadstairs, Chilton Primary in Ramsgate and Ramsgate Arts Primary.

They assembled at the clifftop George VI Memorial Park in Ramsgate and followed a beautiful coastal route to Louisa Bay in Broadstairs before chasing the tide back to Ramsgate seafront along the beach and prom.

The routes chosen by the organisers in the last two years are designed to showcase the inspiring coastline of Broadstairs and Ramsgate, in the communities served by the Trust schools.

Staff unable to join in on the official run day are planning their own 5k events through the summer until September 1.

Keen runner Michaela Lewis is Executive Head Teacher of the Trust. She said: “As well as the personal satisfaction of achieving a goal set, everyone crossing the finishing line was presented with a VikingC25K finishers medal designed and created by our IT department plus a special one-off commemorative badge for their staff lanyards.

“Whilst it's all about the taking part, there is always a competitive element for some of our team - staff have used the 5K as part of their training programmes when taking part in half/full marathons, triathlons and also 26-mile Jurassic coastline walk.

“First across the line in both of our annual events has been Chris, a teacher at Upton. Meanwhile, an inspiration to us all was Charlotte, our first woman finisher this year who only started running in May to complete a charity sponsorship to run every day of that month. She was bitten by the running bug and her determination and enthusiasm shone through as she excelled at our event.

“Our youngest participant was three-year-old Mya, Chris’ daughter.”

Lots of staff who take part in the Park Runs, either on the Palm Bay or Pegwell courses have added the Trust event to their exercise schedule.

Whilst improving physical health, the aim of the Viking runs is to encourage people to get outside and take part in exercise at a level they feel comfortable with.

Each of the Viking schools has a 'Wellbeing Team' with lunchtime walking groups and staff running clubs as part of the initiative to place mental health at the forefront of the staff support structure.

Mrs Lewis added: “We are passionate about finding ways to bring Viking Academy Trust staff together in as many different ways as possible, and the Couch 2 5K encourages and supports a healthier lifestyle and positive mental health. The cold drink get-together afterwards to celebrate finishing is another great bonding moment where everyone shares their own particular experiences.

“It is a lovely shared experience - everyone gets the same medal and it truly is the taking part that counts.”

The NHS supports the Couch 2 5K initiative which it says has a variety of benefits.

It states: “Running is great for your body and mind. It can improve your heart and lung health; help you manage your weight (when paired with a healthy diet); strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis; boost your mood, ease stress, and give you more confidence.

To find out more, go online to www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/get-running-with-couch-to-5k.

*Contact Viking Academy Trust Executive Head Teacher Michaela Lewis on 01843 582847

The Year 3 group has explored its rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems, and the growing threats it faces today.

To round off the topic in style, the children enjoyed an exciting Rainforest WOW Day packed full of creativity, hands-on learning, and unforgettable experiences.

They took part in a variety of artistic and creative workshops, investigating different styles inspired by a range of artists and used these influences to create their very own rainforest-themed artwork.

In another workshop, got their hands dirty with clay modelling, sculpting amazing rainforest animals with impressive detail and imagination. They also had the chance to build their own mini rainforest terrariums, learning about the delicate balance of rainforest ecosystems while creating a little slice of jungle in a jar.

An animal-handling session by the Jaws and Claws team saw pupils thrilled (and a little bit brave) as they met and handled real rainforest creatures—including snakes and lizards. It was a truly memorable experience that brought their learning to life in a very real way.

Head of Year Becky Andrews said: “The WOW Day was a fantastic way to celebrate and consolidate everything Year 3 have learnt about the rainforest this term.

“The hands-on nature of the day provided such rich learning opportunities for the children — helping them to connect with the topic in a deeper, more meaningful way.”

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “Year 3 has been intrigued by their rainforest adventure, producing thought-provoking work that tackles a lot of import issues.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

All pupils who have read over a million words were invited to an afternoon tea to celebrate this fantastic achievement.

They enjoyed cakes and sipping on sparkling lemon and lime water whilst discussing their favourite authors and book recommendations.

Teachers Stevie Bunce and Emily Watkins are joint English leads at Upton. They said: “This special event is held at the end of each academic year to celebrate our fabulous Uptonians who have read more than a million words across this year.

“We are so proud of their commitment to reading as, between just our millionaires alone, they have read an impressive 42,499,945 words.

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “Well done our Magnificent Millionaires – this is a fabulous achievement.

“It illustrates the commitment that we place upon reading all types of literature for pleasure, research and information. We also have an updated well-stocked library with quiet reading areas and we often invite authors in to school to discuss the inspiration behind their books and how they go about writing them.

“It is all part of our general ethos to foster a deep love of reading that our pupils will carry with them through their educational journey and into later life.

“To complete almost 42.5 million words is a very high standard – I wonder if next year’s millionaire readers can beat that total.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

It was part of a project discovering STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, art and maths) held at Chatham and Clarendon Grammar in Ramsgate.

The Year 5 team split into classes and experienced a range of other activities designed to expand their existing knowledge base.

These included making apple rock cakes in the food technology department, working in a science lab, taking part in maths investigations, creating screen printed tote bags in art, and making key rings in the Design Technology department.

Head of Year 5 Billie Danson said: “The children had a truly fascinating day and were thoroughly engaged in all of their tasks.

“It was also a brilliant opportunity to see what life in secondary school is like and the different lessons they can undertake.”

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “STEAM subjects are cornerstones of our education at Upton. The workshops further developed their skills in important areas.

“In addition, the opportunity to see how their learning in these subjects may develop as their educational career evolves was crucial – it has reinforced their knowledge and gave them a real taste of what life may be life for them post-primary. It certainly whetted their appetite to find out more about these topics.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

The annual Viking Games saw more than 1300 pupils from Upton Juniors, Chilton Primary and Ramsgate Arts Primary – all members of the Viking Academy Trust – joined together in four colour ‘house’ teams especially for the tournament.

Each ‘house’ honoured Kent sporting heroes and were inspired by their varied achievements.

Red was for England footballer Alessia Russo whose success include winning the 2022 Euros, World Cup 2023 runner up and a Champions League winner with Arsenal this May; yellow - Elizabeth ‘Lizzy’ Yarnold, a former British skeleton racer winning two Olympic Gold medals; green – sprinter Adam Gemili who has won gold and silver European, World and Commonwealth championship medals; and blue –cricketer Megan Belt from Margate who has won the County Championship four times and was the leading wicket-taker in 2013 Twenty20 Cup.

Event days were held at each school with teams competing in a range of age-specific games that were appropriate to their year groups. Pupils accumulated points for their teams and the VAT Games 2025 overall winner was declared as the red ‘house’.

Competitors tried their hands at a myriad of activities and sports including go karting, basketball, tennis, football, running races, archery, dodge ball, seated volleyball, together with a raft of games for younger pupils.

The Viking Games were launched in summer 2018 and the Trust’s Executive Head Teacher Michaela Lewis is impressed how the event has grown.

She said: “Every year the event becomes more engaging for all of our children. I am pleased to see it flourishing - keeping active and building and maintaining fitness is really important from a young age.

“It is also a perfect way to highlight and reinforce the strong community bond between the schools in the Trust partnership.

“Our games are inclusive and represent our ‘sport for all’ initiative Congratulations go to the victorious ‘house’ – but most importantly, all our children are winners.”

PE leaders Emma Knight (Chilton), Callum Noble (Upton) and Alice Piper (RAPS) praised the performances of children at the various challenges and thanked their colleagues and the pupil sports leaders for the smooth running of the event.

They added: “The aim is to try new things and make new relationships, giving the opportunity to start conversations with different people and to also engage in teamwork and mutual support.

“It has been another fantastic year of celebrating school sport within the Trust and our summer Viking Games brings us all together.  Our children have been incredible and it is a real delight to see so many engaged in school sport.

“Their effort, determination and enthusiasm in their mixed school teams was evident throughout and it was clear to see they were having a lot of fun as well as enjoying the competitive side of the games.”

The large event across three sites ran smoothly thanks to the support of  the dedicated and enthusiastic sports leaders at RAPS, Chilton and Upton who ran the Reception, KS1 and Lower Key Stage 2 events, and Upton staff who helped run the Upper Key Stage 2 event.

Final points table: 1st - 1697 - Russo (red); 2nd - 1663 - Yarnold (yellow);

3rd - 1633 - Gemili (green); 4th - 1622 - Belt (blue).

*Contact Viking Academy Trust Executive Head Teacher Michaela Lewis on 01843 582847

The Year 4 group dived head first into the important topic that focused on a range of aspects of one of the world’s most fundamental and vital natural assets.

They investigated the benefits and features of rivers, and created dioramas to represent the water cycle.

Evaporation and condensation was discussed together with states of matter, with rivers around the UK and the world compared and contrasted.

Parents were invited in to school to engage with the Water World themed learning that included science and geography as part of the topic.

After singing a water cycle song to their visitors, pupils guided them around a range of experiments to highlight some of the avenues they had been exploring.

These included melting ice cubes to produce steam (evaporation) and using a mirror to show condensation; shaking milk with ice cubes to make ice cream; mixing corn flour and water to make a suspension called oobleck; and dropping coloured water into shaving foam to represent clouds, which 'rained' when they got too heavy.

Head of Year 4 Nikki Lewis said: “It was lovely to see so many parents join us for our celebration of learning afternoon.

“The children working alongside their adults to collaborate on and explore a range of science experiments was extremely beneficial for their learning. It was wonderful witnessing them proudly explain what was happening.

“The highlight of the afternoon was watching their faces when they made ice cream from milk and then tasted it, commenting that 'it really tasted like ice cream'.”

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “Upton parents play an important role in our school community and we are always happy to welcome them so they can experience first-hand the varied work their children are exploring in the classroom.”

What is oobleck – a suspension of corn starch and water that can behave like a solid or a liquid depending on how much pressure you apply. The name oobleck comes from the 1949 children’s book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, by Dr. Seuss. In the story, a sticky liquid falls from the sky as a result of the king becoming bored with normal weather.

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

He ran a short fun fitness circuit session for every member of the school in the sports hall and then led an informative assembly about his life as a gymnast.

To the delight of his audience, Sam also performed handstands and flips — even leaping over Upton’s brave PE Lead Callum Noble and Sports Coach Aiden McCollum.

He shared with pupils what inspired him into a gymnastics career and what the hard-work and dedication has provided and given back to him.

Sam encouraged the children to “enjoy the journey and celebrate the little wins,” and shared his personal motto: “There’s no such thing as failure – only trying, learning, and growing.”

Mr Noble said: “The children were thrilled to join Sam in a fitness circuit. Their energy and enthusiasm filled the sports hall as they worked through exercises under the guidance of Sam and the PE team.

“His inspiring words clearly struck a chord with the pupils, who listened intently and asked questions with great curiosity. It was an absolutely amazing day. The children were in awe of Sam’s achievements and learned so much from his story.”

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “Hosting such an inspirational talent brings real value-added learning to our children. They were really captured by Sam and his achievements.

“Whether it is in sport, anywhere else in their educational journeys or life in general, I am sure they will have benefitted greatly from his positivity and his determination.

“We wish Sam all the best as he works toward qualifying for the Olympics — we’ll be cheering him on all the way.”

Sam won a bronze medal at the British Championships last year and will represent GB at the Commonwealth Games next year. His goal is to compete for his country at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Known for his dazzling routines on the floor, rings, and horizontal bar, he dabbled in swimming, tennis, and football as a youngster, but it was gymnastics that stole his heart when he first stepped into a club.

Since then, he’s never looked back. His journey has taken him from junior competitions such as the European Youth Olympic Festival and the Junior World Championships in 2019 to representing Team GB at senior level, including international events like the DTB Pokal Team Challenge and the Varna World Challenge Cup.

Most recently, Sam competed in the 2023 British Artistic Gymnastics Championships, where he qualified for the horizontal bar and rings finals. In 2021, he was crowned British floor champion after taking home the gold medal. He continues to shine, collecting a haul of medals at the British Universities and Colleges Sport championships this year.

The visit was organised with Great Athletes, a social enterprise with a mission to help children to be more physically active. Over the past couple of decades, scientists have explained and confirmed how physical activity improves many aspects of a child’s life, including their academic performance and general wellbeing.

Great Athletes online states: “We achieve our mission by bringing top athletes, World champions, Olympians and Paralympians, into primary schools all over the UK to run inspiring events. We work with over 50 brilliant athletes from a range of disciplines and sports, each one with a unique story to tell about overcoming challenges and the importance of following your dreams.

“Great Athletes events also help schools raise money for resources that promote physical activity.”

To find out more, go online to www.greatathletes.org.

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

The role played in defending the area by the flying heroes of the RAF was among the most crucial together with the bravery of other armed services and strong-hearted civilians.

As part of their topic Tides of Change exploring the historical development of the district, Year 5 children at Upton Juniors in Broadstairs visited the acclaimed Hurricane and Spitfire Museum at the former Battle of Britain airbase at Manston.

They were captivated by the stories associated with the iconic aircraft and how these relate to their local history. It was heartening to witness their engagement as they eagerly joined in discussions and asked probing questions about the impact of the Second World War on the community.

Exploring the museum, investigating artefacts, chatting with the volunteer guides provided an insightful look into the past, making history come alive in a way that textbooks simply cannot.

One pupil said: “This was really exciting because my family was in the war. I got to see some of the items that I have only seen in photographs before.” Another added: “I got to see how the Spitfire works and it was incredible. It is amazing that they were used in the war and now we got to see them too.”

Head of Year 5 Billie Danson said: “When we returned to school, we evaluated a range of sources from the museum"

“We are learning about the evacuation of thousands of troops from the Dunkirk beaches called Operation Dynamo. The children found the whole museum incredibly interesting as it was the first lesson of our topic. They loved being able to explore the planes in particular.

“The visit to Manston has informed their learning for next year when they study WW2 in more detail.”

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “Thanet is rich in history and we are so fortunate to have such brilliant educational resources on our own doorstep – the museum and their team really fired the imaginations of our children and it will further enhance their learning and underpin their class work.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

Children from Year 3 are investigating the rise and fall of one of history’s greatest cultures that arose in what is now known as Central America around 1800BC and progressed through centuries before suddenly disappearing in 900AD at the height of its development.

Pupils began their history adventure with an outing to Kent Life heritage centre near Maidstone as part of their ongoing topic called Maya: The Rise and Fall.

They were immersed in a series of engaging and educational workshops designed to deepen their understanding of Mayan civilisation.

To understand the religion of the period, the children explored the beliefs and rituals of the Maya people, discovering the importance of gods, offerings, and ceremonies.

They were fascinated to learn how religion influenced every part of daily life in the ancient Maya world. The also learned about the Creation Story and played a game of the indigenous pastime called ‘Pok-a-Tok’.

Through hands-on activities and storytelling, they discovered the construction and significance of these awe-inspiring temples. They were amazed by the clever engineering and rich symbolism behind each structure and then built their own mini temples using blocks.

A big highlight was meeting a Conquistador and the visitors heard about the Spanish conquest from a historical character, bringing to life the dramatic events that led to the fall of the Mayan civilisation.

They learnt how to use swords like a conquistador. Under expert guidance, they safely practised sword-handling techniques and gained a real sense of what life might have been like for these historical figures.

Head of Year 3 Becky Andrews said: “It was a truly immersive experience that brought history to life and sparked the imaginations of our young historians.

“The visit was a fantastic way to immerse the children into their topic. It gave them a deeper appreciation for the complexity of Mayan culture and history.

“The experience has provided the perfect stimulus to engage, inspire, and ignite a love for learning. With this strong foundation, we now have a fantastic starting point on which knowledge will build and deepen across the term.”

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “The story of the Maya and how they developed a most sophisticated and highly developed writing system in the pre-Columbian

Americas as well as their art, architecture, mathematics, calendar, and astronomical system is fascinating. How such a magnificent culture with developed cities came to a sudden decline is one of the mysteries our children will continue to try and understand.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

Their aim is simple but crucial – to support senior leaders in the running of the Trust’s three partners, Upton Juniors in Broadstairs, Chilton Primary, and Ramsgate Arts primary.

Elected by their peers, each school’s individual leadership group meets together three times a year in order to learn from each other or work on joint ventures.

The latest fact-finding get-together saw Upton and Chilton visit RAPS to find out more about its specialist arts curriculum and consider if there were any ideas they thought would then work well within their school. It was also a chance for the RAPS children to show what makes their provision special.

Following lunch and a chat, the combined JLTs enjoyed an informative presentation from RAPS detailing their Arts curriculum, what subjects were covered and how they were taught.

The children then got to experience a lesson delivered by two specialist drama teachers, engaging in activities based around the classic story of Alice in Wonderland.

RAPS pupils also gave a guided tour around other Arts curriculum lessons taking place around their school.

Hannah Cheshire, Deputy Head of School from Chilton Primary, co-ordinated the visit. She said: “It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to gain an insight into life in another school and consider if there were any ideas they could take away that they felt would benefit their own communities.

“They loved experiencing the drama lesson, and it was fantastic to see them joining in and stepping out of their comfort zones.”

The inter-school networking and pupil voice initiative can involve many aspects ranging from fund-raising to making lunchtimes more exciting – the junior leaders’ views are vital in raising what is important to them and in shaping school improvement.

Executive Head Teacher of the Trust Michaela Lewis says the joint JLT networking sessions and the roles each group has to play in their own schools are vital.

She explained: “This initiative is working very well. The children give us suggestions they collect among themselves and from their fellow pupils. This information is discussed by our senior staff and we embrace their ideas and suggestions, which are discussed thoughtfully and seriously.

“It is a positive benefit to the ongoing development of the Trust’s community and it fully involves our children in having a true voice in what could be done to further enhance life in our three schools.”

*Contact Viking Academy Trust Executive Head Teacher Michaela Lewis on 01843 582847

They used marshmallows, cereal hoops and raisins in liquid to represent red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets and discussed their functions that keep people alive.

As part of their thematic curriculum topic How To Mind Your Heart, the Year 6 pupils also immersed themselves in the fascinating world of anatomy and enjoyed a range of other hands-on experiences and engaging activities.

These included witnessing the dissection of an ox and a pig heart to solidify their understanding of the organ and how it works. This led to them creating their own t-shirts depicting the human circulatory system.

A change of focus in the design and technology element of their studies saw the group taste a range of shop-bought Bolognese sauces before planning to create their own.

Utilising the catering facilities and expert staff at the Royal Harbour Academy in Ramsgate, they practised a range of knife skills and learnt how to safely use a cooking hob. They created and tasted their own healthy version of the vegetable-based sauce.

Head of Year 6 Katie Vary said: “This was a memorable journey of hands-on learning. From interactive experiments to creative projects, pupils have been fully engaged in bringing their lessons to life.

“Through exploration and collaboration, they’ve deepened their understanding and developed a true love for learning.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

Year 5 pupils studied the way that innovations and ideas from 12th century BC and onwards shaped and developed society through the millennia.

They learnt about life in Athens and Sparta which led to a constructive debate with children using their oracy talking and listening skills to make their views known and to take other viewpoints on board.

Greek mythology and literature engaged pupils and they studied Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War.

During Design Technology lessons the group created camshaft mechanism miniature Greek-style theatres.

The climax of their studies was a ‘wow day’ where pupils tasted Greek food, took part in Olympic-inspired events, enjoyed traditional dancing, acted out myths and legends, and designed period-style pottery.

Head of Year 5 Billie Danson said: “Our children were deeply immersed in this topic. They learnt so much about the Ancient Greek influence on modern life. “

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “Once again the success of this topic work demonstrates how thematic curriculum learning crosses into so many subject areas. It offers pupils a rich palette of experiences and gives them a broad overview of the work they are engaged with.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

This was the tough task for young competitors taking part in the annual Viking Academy Trust public speaking challenge.

The speakers had to deliver their convincing viewpoint lasting no longer than two minutes and they were not allowed props or slides.

Passionate performances covered a range of topics to be added to the timetable, including fashion design, hairdressing, extreme PE and self-defence.

Their performances were judged on content and ideas, clarity, expression and audience engagement.

Each school from across the Trust – Upton Juniors in Broadstairs, Chilton Primary and Ramsgate Arts Primary – had already held in-house competitions to find their finalists. Four children were chosen to represent each school – two from Year 3/4 and two from Year5/6.

Chilton’s Deputy Head of School Hannah Cheshire co-ordinated the challenge. She said: “This was a magnificent display of mature public speaking skills from children so young. Everyone present was blown away at the talent on show – we all agreed that this was the highest standard we have ever seen in the competition which has always set the bar high.”

Judges gave positive feedback and congratulated every participant for the way they put across their speeches. Such was the high standard of entries that picking the best was a difficult task. After much deliberation, the results were announced.

In the Year 3/4 category first place went to Imogen from Upton, with Lois from Chilton second, and third spot went to Robyn from Upton.

The Year 5/6 section was won by Willow from Ramsgate Arts Primary. Second place was Hugo from RAPS and Esme from Upton was third. All participants received a commemorative certificate and badge.

The four judges included Trust governors and trustees and the head of Year 7 at Marlowe Academy, Ramsgate, where the competition was again held in the school’s main auditorium.

Michaela Lewis, Executive Head Teacher of the Viking Academy Trust, was highly impressed. She said: “Once again the ability of our children continues to shine through in this competition. The speeches were passionate, compelling and dazzling in their own special ways.

“It is a fantastic testament to the oracy skills that we develop at our schools - we recognise the impact that the art of speaking and listening has on the life chances of our children.

“Every competitor in the final and in the heats deserves the fullest praise. It is a tough challenge to stand up and make a presentation in front of an audience.

“The content, style and performance of each speech showed how determined and enthusiastic each pupil was to really engage with the audience and convince the judges with their choice for a new subject to be added to the timetable.”

Each of the Trust schools embraces the development of oracy skills of talking and listening, as a central part of the ongoing literacy drive. Communication and inter-personal skills breed self-confidence and are vital for pupils on their educational pathways into adulthood.

Team Upton’s Year 5 and 6 boys relay swimming team excelled in the Kent Primary School event at Margate’s Hartsdown Leisure Centre – and will now represent the county in the south east finals in Guildford in May.

The group won both their races - freestyle relay in a time of 1:05.51 and medley relay which consists of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle in a time of 1:18.19.

Teacher and PE Lead Callum Noble said: “The finals will be a chance for the team to go up against some of the best young swimmers in the region, but with their incredible drive and teamwork, they are more than ready for the challenge.”

And if determination and enthusiasm are qualities that all of Upton’s sporting sides display, the dedication of the biathlon competitors is well worthy of gold medal standard.

During the same weekend four pupils travelled across country to Bath for the national biathlon finals in the Year3/4 category of a 400m run and a 25m swim, while Year 5/6 competitors faced an 800m run and a 50m swim.

Competing in a gruelling combination of disciplines, Upton’s team held its own against some of the finest athletes in the country.

Mr Noble added: “Our team rose to the occasion, pushing themselves to their limits and demonstrating impressive stamina and focus. Although they faced tough competition, they fought valiantly and showed incredible resilience.

“Parents, teachers, and supporters who made the journey to Bath cheered on the team, offering loud and proud encouragement. Their presence was a boost to the athletes, whose spirits were high throughout the competition.

“They applied themselves fantastically well after a long trip right across the country where they were up against the best of the best.

“It is to their credit that they turned in excellent performances. In the end we had the following placings in the country, 47th, two 27th’s and a 6th.

Upton held the national biathlon qualifier for the south east in January attracting more than 80 competitors from around the area and beyond.

The reasoning to host the qualifier originally was that the school firmly believes that all children should have the opportunity to partake in a national event such as this if they wish. The aim was to make attendance at qualifying heats easy and to give the opportunity to as many young people as possible.”

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “Our school is so proud of all of our sports participants at whichever level they compete.

“Our swimmers and biathletes, and all their supporters and coaches, deserve the highest praise for the way embodied grit and determination to take on some of the best young competitors in the UK and they performed to a gold standard in our eyes.

“We wish our swimmers all the best for the national finals.”

Earlier this month Upton’s footballers won the Les Riggs Cup following a dominant display in the competition.

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Comic Relief charity’s first ever Red Nose Day, a non uniform day allowed pupils to glam up in their finest sparkly outfits.

To add to the fun, parents and children had the chance to dance to musical memories from the era in a themed outdoor disco on the school field.

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “It was a brilliant day and a fun way to celebrate a charity that has done so much to support children for four decades.

“There were some truly fantastic outfits on show and it was a real colourful occasion celebrated in true Upton style.”

Teacher Izzy Reed is Upton’s Personal Development Lead. She said: “Since launching in 1985, Red Nose Day has raised millions to support vulnerable families across the UK.

“Our children dressed in funny red or 1980s inspired outfits and donated money to do so – we raised approximately £400 for the charity.

“The children learnt about the important work the Red Nose Day campaigns to do improve the lives of those who experience hardship.

“It was important for Upton to recognise and take part in this important campaign as it is a valuable experience for our pupils to understand the wider world and the significant role of local and global communities. This is key aspect of our PSHE curriculum.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

The fresh resource also embraces more traditional pursuits of yesteryear from skittles and dominos to rope ladders, tree swings and sandpits.

The added activity attraction for lunchtimes also features table football, large frame puzzles, fake snow, building blocks, cross trainer fitness machines and balance challenges.

The initiative complements existing outdoor activities and Head of School Darci Arthur is thrilled at the response from children and the support from Upton’s staff.

She said: “It has been so wonderful to see our children interacting with peers from other year groups, challenging themselves on activities and just be children - playing in the sand pits and with the fake snow.”

Praising the midday meal supervisors, she said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to all of the team for their hard work at lunchtimes. It’s been fantastic to be out there with them all and observe how everyone has embraced the new style of play.”

Miss Arthur said it is clear that this initiative has created a more fun, structured and enjoyable atmosphere during break times.

She added: “As we all know, lunchtimes are crucial, not just for ensuring our children have a lovely lunch, but for social development.

“They provide a vital space for children to practise essential life skills, such as communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution.

“Watching our children engage in conversations, share laughs, and build new and maintain old friendships has been the highlight for me and has, once again, reminded me of the importance of nurturing a strong team ethos within Upton.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

The victorious team emphatically beat Broadstairs neighbours St Peter’s Juniors 4-1 in the tournament final held at Margate FC’s Hartsdown Park.

It means the trophy is once again held by Upton who won the first ever trophy when the competition was launched in 1974.

The triumph came after six months of knock-out games that pitted Thanet’s best school teams against each other on the route to the final.

Upton’s team of players from Years 5 and 6 delivered consistently impressive performances throughout the competition and capped it with a dominant display in one of Thanet’s longest-running primary school sports events.

In the first round the high-scoring champions beat Cliftonville 7-2, followed by wins over Ramsgate Holy Trinity 5-2, and St Saviours, Westgate, 3-1.

Upton teacher and PE lead Callum Noble said: “The boys played amazingly in the final knowing that for most of them it was possibly their last competitive match at Upton before they move to secondary school.

“The team was on the ball from the first minute, getting a quick goal and keeping possession, taking the chances at crucial times. It was a solid performance from all involved. It is a real honour for us to win the Les Riggs Cup.”

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “Our school community is proud of this achievement. The boys competed strongly throughout this well-contested tournament that highlighted the high level of skill there is in primary school football across the district.

“They thoroughly deserved their victory and it is a lovely touch that the trophy was won by the school that enjoyed success when the competition was first held almost 50 years ago.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

Children and staff dressed as their favourite characters from the world of literature with amazing outfits on show in classrooms, corridors and on the school playground and fields.

A wide range of fun learning activities to suit all age groups were popular as Upton celebrated the annual World Book Day.

These included a Mad Hatters book cafe where they enjoyed tea, cakes and shared books; decorating a rock to celebrate reading and then placing them around the school for others; paired reading with other year groups; creating 'reading identity' posters; taking part in quizzes about children's literature and redesigning their favourite book cover and rewriting the blurb on the back.

The school also held a staff swap where the teachers read to children in a different class.

Head of School Darci Arthur praised the efforts of the Upton team for creating a memorable day. She said: “It was a fabulous whole school event with teachers choosing their own activities to give a real breadth of opportunity to all our children and reinforce their love of the written word in all its wonderful forms.

“The atmosphere throughout the school was brilliant; it was buzzing with the love of reading."

Joint English Leads at Upton are Stevie Bunce and Emily Watkins. They said: “World Book Day is a fantastic opportunity to discover new ways into reading and it was lovely to see the enthusiasm of the pupils.

“Whether that is by enjoying fiction, non-fiction, comics, graphic novels, magazines or audio books, Upton believes that there is a way for everyone to read for pleasure. It was fantastic to see the children in their fabulous party clothes and brilliant costumes.

“A highlight was having our Year 6 pupils meet up with our Year 3 pupils for some shared reading in the sunshine. It was lovely to hear them explore and discuss the texts together.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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

The school choir featured in a joint concert with Thanet Male Voice Choir in a special performance for the Sepsis Trust.

The show, together with two other fundraisers and a generous donation from the Thanet Male Voice Choir’s honorary president, award-winning actor Brenda Blethyn, raised an impressive £5650.

The two choirs reunited this month for a presentation ceremony to hand the money over to Trust representative Jill Ambrose.

Upton music teacher Graham Smith said: “The money raised is a true testament to the generosity of the audiences and the dedication of the choirs. The donation will go towards supporting the Trust's vital work in raising awareness and improving outcomes for those affected by sepsis.”

The money was raised at the Thanet Male Voice Choir annual Christmas charity concert at Holy Trinity Church in Broadstairs.

Mr Smith added: “It was a most heart-warming and enjoyable afternoon. Both choirs performed a range of festive songs with Upton Choir performing some songs with their pupil soloists.”

The choir sang an interactive version of Jingle Bells, It Feels Like Christmas from The Muppets Christmas Carol, Carol Of The Bells, a Coldplay medley and Hit The Road Jack.

The school singers are currently preparing for their spring concerts on March 17 and 18 that will feature a rock and pop music theme including songs from Bruno Mars, Toto, Taylor Swift and Erasure.

Upton Head of School Darci Arthur said: “We are proud to support our community and helping a variety of charities throughout the year is an important role at Upton.

“Our choir sang beautifully at the fundraiser, and it was lovely for them to meet up with members of Thanet Male Voice Choir and be part of the presentation ceremony. They were excellent ambassadors for our school.”

Presentation picture caption: left to right, TMVC chairman Simon Wendholt, Jill Ambrose from Sepsis Trust, Upton music teacher Graham Smith, TMVC member Aaron George, and members of Upton choir.

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

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