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