WCU June Newsletter

Welcome to the WCU June Newsletter! As we move into the summer term, we are proud to celebrate another exciting month of creativity, partnership, learning, and community achievement across all of our projects and schools. May was filled with unforgettable experiences for children and families, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make these opportunities possible.

June and July are also filled with important national celebration and awareness days that schools across the WCU network will be recognising through assemblies, creative activities, workshops, and themed learning experiences. During June, many schools will take part in National Wellbeing Day activities focused on mindfulness, healthy lifestyles, emotional wellbeing, movement, and positive mental health. Children will have opportunities to enjoy relaxation activities, outdoor games, creative expression, and discussions around self-care and kindness.

Schools will also celebrate World Environment Day with eco projects, gardening, recycling activities, and nature learning linked to Forest School and sustainability projects taking place across WCU. Refugee Week will provide opportunities for children to learn about community, belonging, diversity, and inclusion through storytelling, art, music, and cultural activities.

As we move further into the summer term, schools will continue celebrating Pride Month, Healthy Eating Week, and cultural diversity activities that encourage children to appreciate different backgrounds, talents, and experiences within their communities. Sports Day events and outdoor activity days will also promote teamwork, resilience, confidence, and physical wellbeing.

Many schools are planning special transition activities for children moving into new year groups, helping pupils feel confident and prepared for the next stage of their learning journey. End-of-year celebration assemblies, performances, art exhibitions, and community showcases will also take place throughout July as schools come together to celebrate children’s achievements, creativity, and progress across the year.

One of the highlights of the month for us at WCU was our Floating Classroom programme along the canal. Children and families enjoyed boat trips, storytelling, art activities, nature learning, and intergenerational sessions that brought people together in a truly special way. We were delighted to be joined by Age UK and Axis who supported activities and helped create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all generations to enjoy together. The Floating Classroom continues to be one of our most successful community projects and we are already planning even more sessions for the summer holidays.

We are also excited to announce the return of the WCU Recycled Fashion Show, now entering its second year. Last year’s event was full of creativity, confidence, and imagination as children designed incredible outfits from recycled materials and transformed everyday objects into wearable art. Preparations are already underway for this year’s show, with children collecting materials, sketching ideas, and creating decorations. Our Art Club pupils and children taking part in the May and June Art Exhibition have been heavily involved in producing props, painted displays, and creative backdrops that will be featured during the event.

Another major project already creating excitement across schools is our annual Disney production, now entering its fourth year. This year we will be bringing Disney’s Lion King to life following the success of last year’s Frozen production and the much-loved Aladdin performance the year before. Children have already begun designing scenery, painting giant backdrops, and creating props and costumes. One of the things that makes WCU productions unique is that many of the stage sets and decorations are designed and made by the children themselves through Art Club and creative workshops. Their ideas, teamwork, and artistic talent continue to amaze us every year.

Across our partner schools there have been many fantastic educational visits and enrichment opportunities taking place. St Joseph's RC Primary School recently enjoyed exciting trips including visits to the zoo and the Puppet Barge, where children experienced storytelling, theatre, and outdoor learning in engaging and memorable ways. The enthusiasm shown by pupils throughout these experiences has been wonderful to see.

At St Augustine's CE High School preparations are underway for their upcoming Pop-Up Beach visit this June, alongside their Community Diversity Day which will celebrate culture, inclusion, creativity, and community spirit. Students will have opportunities to participate in performances, activities, and collaborative projects that reflect the rich diversity within their school community.

Following the success of April’s Dragon Meet project, we are thrilled to welcome Mythic Minds into schools from June through to September. Mythic Minds will work alongside schools including St Augustine's CE High School to deliver imaginative projects inspired by storytelling, mythology, drama, literacy, and creativity. These workshops encourage children to explore ideas through performance, art, and collaborative learning while building confidence and communication skills. Plans are already being developed for an even bigger creative project next term involving several schools across the WCU network.

There are also many fantastic free opportunities for families to enjoy across Central London this June. Families can explore the beautiful gardens and fountains at Southbank Centre, visit free exhibitions at the Tate Modern and British Museum, or enjoy outdoor performances and street entertainment around Covent Garden. Children can also take part in nature walks through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, visit the free galleries at the Victoria and Albert Museum, or enjoy community festivals and pop-up summer activities taking place throughout the city during half term and weekends.

Looking ahead, June and July will continue to be packed with exciting opportunities for children and families including Forest School, Coding and Play Club, summer trips, art exhibitions, performances, and community events. We are proud that so many of these opportunities remain free and accessible to families, helping ensure that children can continue to explore, learn, and create together throughout the year.

Thank you once again to all schools, parents, artists, volunteers, partners, and community organisations who continue to support WCU projects and help make these experiences possible for our children. Together we are building creativity, confidence, friendships, and stronger communities every single day.

WCU — Explore • Learn • Create • Belong

 May at WCU

We hope you all had a fantastic break—we certainly did! It was brilliant spending time with so many of you exploring London, including visits to Kew, ZSL, and our local spaces, as well as adventures along the canal with our friends at the Floating Classroom. These shared experiences continue to be some of the most special parts of what we do at WCU.

Now we’ve stepped into May, one of the most exciting months of the year. With longer days, Warmer weather, and the feeling of summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get outdoors, explore, and take part in all the wonderful opportunities happening across our schools and community.

A Look Back at Our Recent Trips

We’ve had some incredible experiences recently, both during the holidays and with our partner schools:

Visits to Hampton Court Palace, bringing Tudor history to life

Exploring the beauty and science of Kew Gardens

Time spent at ZSL learning about wildlife and conservation

Canal adventures with the Floating Classroom

These trips have given everyone a chance to learn beyond the classroom, build confidence, and enjoy London in a hands-on way.

Looking Ahead – May Holiday Camp

We’re excited for what’s coming next. This May, we’ll be running a Holiday Camp with the Floating Classroom and ZSL, combining outdoor learning on the water, wildlife exploration, teamwork, and adventure. It’s set to be a fantastic experience, and we can’t wait to see many of you there.

EYFS Indoor Beach & Pool Project

We’re especially excited about our upcoming EYFS Indoor Beach and Pool Project with partner schools. This will give our youngest learners a chance to explore sensory play, build confidence in water-based environments, and enjoy a creative “summer by the seaside” experience indoors.

May Day & Community Spirit

May begins with May Day, a celebration of community, nature, and the arrival of summer. While we may not have a maypole, we are continuing to build our second community space. Recently, we received a donation of two beautiful, mature rose bushes, which will help us mark the season and grow something lasting together with support from our volunteers.

Making the Most of the Outdoors

May is the perfect time to enjoy London’s green spaces. Parks and gardens are full of life, and we encourage everyone to spend time outdoors, take part in planting and gardening activities, and explore local parks and community spaces. Our work in Queen’s Park continues to show how important green spaces are for wellbeing, wildlife, and community connection.

 SATs Preparation – You’ve Got This!

SATs are an important moment, but remember—they are just one part of your learning journey. You’ve already done so much work to get here, and this is your chance to show what you know.

✔️ What to Expect

You’ll be tested on:

Maths

English Reading

Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling

Knowing what’s coming helps you feel more confident and prepared.

🧠 Top Tips for Success

Read regularly: Try different types of books and practise summarising what you’ve read

Practise little and often: Short, focused revision works best

Break problems down: Take one step at a time, especially in maths

Check your work: If you have time, go back and review your answers

 Make Learning Fun

Turn spelling into games like word searches or quizzes

Challenge family members with quick maths questions

Revise with friends and help each other

💬 Looking After Yourself

Get plenty of sleep (8–10 hours helps your brain recharge)

Eat well and drink water

Take breaks and get outside for fresh air

Talk to someone if you’re feeling worried—you’re not alone

It’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous—but that just means you care. Remember:

You are prepared

You are capable

You don’t need to be perfect—just do your best

Every question you try is an achievement. Every effort you make matters. We are all incredibly proud of you!

STEM & Careers Week

May is also a key time for STEM and Careers learning. Thanks to support from the Young Westminster Foundation, we’ll be welcoming professionals into schools to share their experiences, inspire future ambitions, and show how STEM connects to real life. We’re excited to see what you discover.

Looking Ahead – July Opportunities

We’re already preparing for an exciting summer term ahead.

Our STEM Coding Holiday Club is coming this July, giving students the chance to explore coding, problem-solving, and technology in a fun and hands-on way.

We are also delighted to welcome back Nexaim Sports into our partner schools, bringing high-quality sports coaching, teamwork opportunities, and active sessions for everyone to enjoy.

These opportunities will help build skills, confidence, and new interests as we move toward the summer holidays.

VE Day – 8th May

Victory in Europe Day is an important moment of remembrance, marking the end of World War II in Europe. It is a time to reflect on bravery, sacrifice, and the importance of peace. Across London, there are often free events and commemorations that help us understand this important part of history.

London in May – So Much to Explore

London truly comes alive in May. Parks are full of colour, museums offer free and inspiring experiences, and local events bring communities together. Whether outdoors or indoors, there are endless ways to learn, explore, and have fun.

Getting Ready for July

As we move through the summer term, please make sure your hours lists are being completed and shared with coordinators so everything is ready ahead of July. Staying organised now will make things much easier later.

Final Thoughts

May is a month full of energy, opportunity, and growth. From exciting trips and holiday camps to creative projects, STEM opportunities, and sports, there is something for everyone at WCU.

Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep supporting each other. We can’t wait to see everything you achieve this term!

Hello WCU Families!

As we step into March 2026, it’s been wonderful to see our schools buzzing with curiosity, creativity, and connection. February was packed with hands-on learning, shared experiences, and joyful moments that brought children, families, and schools together in true WCU style.

One of the highlights across February and into March has been our STEAM project delivered across WCU schools, where students explored electricity in everyday life and within their own bodies. Children learned about electrical safety, how plugs and circuits work, and how electricity powers the world around us. Alongside this, they discovered how their own bodies run on electricity—learning about neurons, nerves, brain waves, and how messages travel through the body. These sessions blended STEM learning with wellbeing, helping children understand both physical safety and the incredible science behind how we think, feel, and move.

We’ve also been delighted to deepen our collaboration with Cameron and Flora from the Floating Classroom through the Naturehood Watch project. Children at Essendine and Queen’s Park are already signed up for three free citizen science sessions each, exploring local biodiversity, observation skills, and environmental stewardship. These sessions support mindfulness, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility for our shared spaces, and we’re excited that more WCU schools will be joining this project as the year progresses.

Alongside this, we’ve launched an exciting campaign to improve active travel and school accessibility, beginning with plans to install bike racks outside schools, starting at Queen’s Park. Encouraging cycling supports physical health, independence, and sustainability, and we’re inviting classes to get their TfL Travel Stars journeys underway. It’s a great opportunity for children to think about greener travel, road safety, and how small changes can make a big difference to wellbeing and the environment.

Our February half-term Holiday Camp once again showed the power of coming together as a community. Families and students shared food, with a special student–parent disco-style food share, where raw ingredients were brought together, prepared, and enjoyed collectively. Alongside this, children enjoyed trips to the cinema and the zoo, creating memories filled with laughter, connection, and exploration. These shared experiences strengthen family bonds, routines, and a sense of belonging—core to WCU’s wellbeing-focused approach.

We were delighted to welcome back the FACTS Project, and it’s clear just how much children are enjoying being involved. Engagement has been high, with students showing enthusiasm, confidence, and curiosity as they reconnect with learning that is practical, inclusive, and empowering.

Creativity has also been flourishing through our WCU Art initiatives. Our free WCU Art Club has supported students to create 30 canvases, now being displayed across schools. The artwork spans a wonderful range of styles and voices—from bold abstracts and joyful unicorns, to modernist-inspired pieces influenced by Mondrian and Kandinsky, and beautifully detailed Dutch still-life florals. This project celebrates student voice, artistic confidence, and pride, and we’re excited to continue expanding art across our WCU network.

We’re also excited about our growing collaboration with Topsy Turvy at Brent Cross, where we are working together on a number of holiday programmes ,SEND and  STEM-focused projects. These opportunities combine physical activity, creativity, and problem-solving, giving children space to move, experiment, and learn through play. We’re really looking forward to a year of shared learning, physical fun, and imaginative exploration through this partnership.

March also offers a wealth of free opportunities across London for families to explore together, including:

• Museum and gallery drop-in family workshops
• Free science and nature sessions linked to British Science Week
• Library author talks, storytelling, and creative writing clubs
• Community art exhibitions and cultural open days

These opportunities support curiosity, cultural capital, and shared learning beyond the classroom.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to see everyone during upcoming STEM sessions and Science Week celebrations. We want to give a special shout-out to the brilliant coding work led by  Sarvenaz "Sarv" Ranjibar at Hallfield, and Nexaim at Essendine, St Joseph’s, and Queen’s Park. Their sessions have inspired problem-solving, resilience, and digital confidence, showing how coding can be both creative and inclusive.

We’re also exploring ways to further enrich physical education and wellbeing through partnerships, including Premier Education—a specialist provider offering high-quality sports, physical activity, and enrichment programmes in schools. We’re currently looking into how we might support Premier Education in delivering sessions at Queen’s Park School, ensuring opportunities are inclusive, engaging, and aligned with WCU’s holistic approach to wellbeing.

From STEAM learning and citizen science to creative arts, active travel, and shared meals, March reflects what WCU does best: bringing learning, wellbeing, and joy together. We’re excited for a year ahead filled with collaboration, discovery, movement, and connection.

We look forward to seeing you all across schools, clubs, STEM sessions, and Science Week events.

Stay curious, keep creating, and keep exploring

February 2026: Westminster Children’s University Update

Hello WCU Families!

I was so pleased and grateful to see our community thrive as we move into February 2026. January marked an incredible start to the year, demonstrating how WCU provides inclusive, wellbeing-focused opportunities for children and families across Westminster.

Our Winter Camp brought together 65 children and 20 parents for trips to Zootropolis, Kew Gardens, Topsy Turvy Theatre, and Kensington Palace. These experiences gave students access to cultural and creative spaces while building confidence, social skills, and a sense of belonging. Paired with inclusive food projects, these activities reinforced emotional regulation, family connection, and positive routines, directly supporting WCU’s wellbeing and SEND-inclusive aims.

On January 29th, Year 5 and 6 students joined their peers from St Augustine’s to see the English National Opera’s HMS Pinafore at the London Coliseum. Experiencing this Olivier-nominated production with Mel Giedroyc’s wit allowed children to engage with live performance and classical theatre, increasing cultural capital and promoting joy, curiosity, and shared learning—key pillars of WCU enrichment.

We are especially proud of QP Year 6, whose three students won the ENO Poster Competition. They received certificates and a talk from Georgia Gould MP. This achievement celebrates creativity, academic engagement, and confidence, demonstrating how WCU initiatives encourage students to take pride in their accomplishments and participate meaningfully in cultural projects.

WCU attended Bett 2026, where we explored new educational resources to strengthen literacy and wellbeing. We are thrilled that Wordsmith will be visiting our schools to support both actual and emotional literacy, ensuring children develop key skills for learning and emotional self-regulation in line with WCU’s developmental priorities. Wordsmith, whose initiative promotes both actual and emotional literacy in schools, equips students with the vocabulary and communication strategies to understand and express emotions effectively, supporting wellbeing, social skills, and learning readiness. In 2026, they will be visiting our WCU schools to embed these approaches, helping children develop confidence in emotional expression, enhance peer relationships, and strengthen engagement with literacy-based learning, fully aligned with WCU’s focus on whole-child development and family-school-community wellbeing.

We were delighted to meet representatives from CH Lin Buddhist Primary School (China) at the KittenBot stand during Bett 2026. They shared innovative STEAM and STEM projects focused on pest management, giving our students insight into creative problem-solving and global approaches to science and technology. We are excited to develop international collaboration with them in 2026, including pen-pal exchanges and shared projects, fostering cross-cultural learning and broadening our students’ horizons in line with WCU’s goals of curiosity, global awareness, and STEM engagement.

The QP Art Club launched a new WCU initiative to display student-led A4 canvases across the school. This whole-school project fosters creativity, leadership, and pride, allowing students to express themselves while promoting a visually inspiring environment. In 2026, we plan to expand this project across the WCU network, reinforcing collaboration between schools and celebrating student voices city-wide.

Adults at QP and Hallfield have completed training in Compassion-Based Therapy, and in 2026 more staff will become accredited in trauma-aware, Thrive-informed, solution-focused therapy approaches. This professional development strengthens relational practice, emotional support, and wellbeing provision for children, aligning with WCU’s goals of sustainable, whole-family wellbeing and inclusion.

We have also received funding for an Electrical Safety and Neuroscience project, building on our MindUp work. This initiative encourages curiosity, STEM engagement, and mental health awareness, reflecting WCU’s commitment to combining enrichment with learning about physical and emotional wellbeing.

Our Naturehood Watch project with the Floating Classroom continues to flourish, with students participating in the Big Garden Birdwatch. Recording birds in gardens, parks, and window ledges fosters mindfulness, environmental stewardship, and citizen science skills. Such activities enhance connection with nature, promote observation and recording skills, and support wellbeing through hands-on, outdoor learning.

Looking ahead to February half-term (Feb 11–21), London is packed with WCU-approved activities. The Southbank Centre Imagine Festival offers relaxed, sensory-friendly, and BSL-interpreted events for children of all ages. From Early Weaves dance theatre and CBeebies Wildlife Jamboree to Mini SPIN, Pop-Up Parkour, and author events with Liz Pichon and Jacqueline Wilson, there is an extraordinary range of opportunities for creative expression, confidence-building, and cultural enrichment.

Term 2 of DreamArts Experiment continues at City of Westminster College. Students aged 6–12 are devising and performing their own musicals, while older students are creating immersive theatre with Les Enfants Terribles along the Paddington Canal. These projects develop collaboration, creativity, communication, and leadership skills while strengthening links between schools, WCU, and the wider community.

From opera to citizen science, STEAM collaboration to creative arts, WCU continues to provide inclusive, engaging, and wellbeing-focused experiences. Each activity reinforces our mission to empower children, strengthen family and school partnerships, and foster lifelong curiosity, resilience, and connection to the world around them.

Stay curious, keep exploring, and we look forward to seeing you at our events and clubs this February!

— The WCU Team 🎓✨

Happy New Year! As we welcome in 2026, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past term and to share our excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead.

Last term was truly remarkable. We were thrilled to see 480 of our children showcase their enthusiasm and creativity at the IntoFilm Festivals. It was heartening to witness their engagement and passion for storytelling through film. Additionally, our Winter Wonderland Visits brought joy to 450 families. Watching the children's faces light up with wonder made the winter merrier for all of us.

Our ongoing partnerships continue to enrich our community's learning experiences. Collaborations with esteemed organisations such as the English National Opera, Apple, and Veolia have opened doors to innovative learning opportunities, coupled with practical experiences that ignite curiosity and inspire young minds.

Looking forward, we are excited to introduce our new Seasonal Wildlife Workshops on the Floating Classroom, especially designed for our Early Years. These workshops will offer unique experiences, allowing children to connect with nature and observe wildlife in a hands-on educational setting.

We are excited to share the wonderful outcomes of the Autumn 2025 art project at Hallfield Primary School, led by celebrated local artist Hermione Wood. The project, centred on the theme “At Home,” brought together a group of Year 5 and 6 pupils to explore what home means to them through storytelling, drawing, fabric art and mixed media.

Hermione opened the project by sharing a moving story from Milka, a woman in her 90s, showing the children how ideas of “home” can span generations and experiences. Inspired by this, pupils developed their own interpretations—ranging from high-rise London views to peaceful gardens, fantasy worlds and animal sanctuaries.

Across five creative sessions, students learned new artistic skills including composition, fabric painting, collage, colour mixing and developing a personal artistic style. The children also worked collaboratively, gaining confidence and forming new connections across classes.

Their reflections say it all:

“Art takes time.”

“At Home means being at peace.”

“Painting was calming—I felt creative.”

“Teamwork makes the dreamwork!”

The final fabric artworks were filled with imagination, detail and thoughtful symbolism. These pieces were also shared with the Compton Art Group, whose members were thrilled—and deeply touched—by the children’s interpretations.

This project highlighted how valuable extended, high-quality art time is in primary schools. Many pupils showed significant growth in confidence, creativity and emotional expression, demonstrating the powerful role art can play in wellbeing and learning. Great News for 2026 – Expansion to Three Schools .We are thrilled to announce that, following the success at Hallfield, Hermione Wood will be delivering new multi-week art programmes in:

• St Joseph’s Primary School

• St Mary of the Angels Primary School

• Hallfield Primary School (returning)

Starting January 2026, these programmes will continue to explore themes of belonging, home, identity and creativity—giving even more children access to high-quality arts education across our community.

This expansion marks a fantastic step forward for creative learning in our local schools and reflects our commitment to supporting children’s wellbeing, self-expression and cultural development.

We are starting the year full of arts and culture and are pleased to share that in line with this at WCU, The Fourth Plinth Schools Awards opens for entries in January 2026! It’s a chance for schools across London to get creative and produce a work of art inspired by Trafalgar Square’s famous Fourth Plinth artworks.

The London Resilience Unit and the Mayor’s Fund for London would like to hear from you their Young Londoners, about emergencies and big disruptions such as power cuts, pandemics, protests, transport strikes or extreme weather. Your views will help shape how our city plans for the future. The survey which launched in December, is anonymous, takes 5 to 10 minutes, and you can enter a prize draw for a £50 Amazon voucher: Our City Our Resilience – Young Londoner’s Survey so don’t forget to have your say.

This year we are all about carnivals and parades as part of our cultural goals, we encourage you to be part of London’s much-loved St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square on Sunday, 15 March 2026. We’re inviting community groups, charities, retailers, and food vendors to join a bustling marketplace filled with Irish arts, culture, flavours, and creativity.

In March we will celebrate the launch of Paddington arts Carnival Band for 2026 in preparation for our ongoing carnival plans together and celebrating the work we will begin delivering workshops and opportunities about all things carnival this January.

This year’s St Patrick’s Day parade promises a lively and colourful journey through central London, celebrating the spirit and heritage of the Irish community. Groups of all kinds are welcome to take part whether you’re performing, marching, or showcasing your organisation’s creativity. Join us in bringing energy, music, and pride to the streets as we kick off a day of festivities leading into the Trafalgar Square celebrations

Stay fully present while eating dinner as a family

We are thrilled to announce that NexAim will be returning to Queen's Park Primary and St Joseph's Catholic Primary this January! Our playtime programmes aim to provide children with a delightful mix of fun and learning, right in their school playgrounds.

At Queen’s Park Primary, our activities have always been met with enthusiasm, and we're overjoyed to bring back the joy and energy our sessions inspire. Similarly, at St Joseph's, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Teachers and parents alike have noticed improvements in the children's social skills and teamwork abilities.

NexAim’s programme is dedicated to fostering an environment where children can grow physically and mentally through engaging play. Our activities are designed to promote creativity, cooperation, and confidence among children. With these goals in place, we hope to not only enhance the school experience but also contribute positively to each child's development.

We're eager to see the happy faces of the children as they dive back into our dynamic playtime activities. Our mission of creating impactful and nurturing playground experiences continues, and we can’t wait to make more wonderful memories with everyone involved and hope to develop more activities together in the coming year.

What goals have you set up for yourself for 2026? If you haven’t any yet, don’t worry, how about picking one or two of these? Try doing a random act of kindness every week

Take full deep breaths for a few minutes every day

Notice the joy of the moment with your children

Take up a new hobby or pastime

Look at how you can live more sustainably

Set up a monthly family budget and stick to it

Make time for friends that make you laugh

Practice gratitude every day

Reduce screen time and read more books

Declutter and donate unwanted items to charity

Connect with nature by getting outdoors

Be spontaneous and try something new

Practice self-care and do something just for yourself

Celebrate and feel good about personal successes

Compassion-Based Therapy, delivered by the APT (Association for Psychological Therapies), provides staff with a practical and research-informed framework for understanding emotional regulation, resilience, and the role of compassion in learning environments. By strengthening our collective capacity to respond to stress and challenge with empathy and psychological insight, the training supports both staff wellbeing and the emotional safety of our pupils. This approach aligns with our commitment to creating a school community grounded in kindness, connection, and positive mental health practices.

We are pleased to confirm that we will be funding partners to undertake both Compassion-Based Therapy training with the APT and the MindUP programme in January 2026. This combined professional development package has been chosen to provide a coherent set of skills for supporting emotional literacy, mindfulness, and pro-social behaviour across the school. MindUP’s practical. classroom strategies complement the APT’s therapeutic foundations, ensuring that staff gain both deeper theoretical understanding and everyday tools they can use immediately with students.

Our hope is that starting this training in January will set everyone up for a fantastic school year ahead. By investing in staff wellbeing and equipping our team with compassionate, evidence-based approaches, we aim to create a calmer, more connected, and more emotionally resilient school environment. This initiative reflects our broader vision: to foster a place where both adults and children feel supported, understood, and empowered to thrive academically and personally.

Food, Health, Diet and Art at WCU: Looking Ahead to the New Year

As we step into the new year at WCU, our focus on food, health, diet, and creativity continues to grow, with an enriched programme of experiences designed to develop pupils’ wellbeing, curiosity, and cultural understanding. Our December visit to St John’s Mini Farm, where children met the chickens and the famously friendly turkey, offered a wonderfully hands-on learning opportunity. Pupils explored where food comes from, discussed farm-to-table processes, and connected this to healthy eating, ethical food production, and sustainability. Because of the enthusiasm and engagement shown, we are delighted to confirm that we will repeat this visit at Easter, expanding the programme to include observational drawing, food-themed art workshops, and cooking-linked literacy tasks.

This academic term also marks WCU’s full participation in the Plates for Change initiative and our Russell Hobbs registration, running from January to 11 March 2026. These programmes encourage pupils and families to reflect on healthy eating habits, food preparation skills, and the social value of cooking and sharing meals. Through practical activities—such as designing kitchen-safe recipes, exploring the science of nutrition, and creating art inspired by everyday food—we aim to strengthen children’s understanding of how a balanced diet contributes to long-term physical and mental wellbeing. These activities align closely with our broader curricular commitment to empowering children to make informed, health-positive choices.

Alongside this, pupils will be re-engaging with the outcomes of the Yoplait Bones Vitamin D Campaign (running from November to January), reinforcing key messages about bone health, sunlight, diet, and the role of vitamin-rich foods. This complements our earlier work on the Stalder “Future Self” Letters, where pupils wrote reflective messages imagining their healthier, more confident future identities. The findings from those letters highlight that many WCU pupils see food, movement, creativity, and emotional resilience as strongly interconnected. Bringing these elements together—farm visits, cooking projects, art, nutrition education, and personal reflection—we hope to continue shaping a school culture where children feel inspired, informed, and motivated to take care of their bodies, minds, and communities We are incredibly proud of our QPP’s & WCU’S involvement in the English National Opera (ENO) production of HMS Pinafore. This wonderful opportunity has not only brought the world of opera closer to our community but has also provided an inspiring, cross-curricular experience for QPP Year 6 students.

The WCU Coordinated Clubs at Hallfield continue to expand opportunities for hands-on, future-focused learning, with the Raspberry Pi Club now firmly established as one of the most exciting and innovative strands. By integrating digital creativity, problem-solving, and computational thinking, the club offers pupils the chance to design, build and experiment with real hardware and software tools. The sessions introduce learners to coding fundamentals, robotics, physical computing, and digital art—helping them develop both technical competence and confidence in their ability to shape technology, not just consume it.

Through the Raspberry Pi Club, pupils engage in practical challenges such as programming LEDs, designing environmental sensors, controlling motors, and even creating simple games. These activities are intentionally collaborative, allowing pupils to work in pairs or small groups, reflect on their thinking, test solutions, and troubleshoot technical issues. This mirrors real-world STEM practice and supports the development of perseverance, teamwork, and creative thinking. The club also showcases pathways into wider digital literacy, linking to computer science learning in the classroom and encouraging pupils to pursue further STEM opportunities beyond Hallfield.

As part of our engagement with the production, Year 6 were invited to take part in a HMS Pinafore design and show poster competition, giving them creative ownership and a chance to explore visual communication, artistic expression, and the themes of the opera.

The poster competition was met with enthusiasm and imagination from the QPP Year 6 cohort. Pupils were tasked with interpreting the spirit of HMS Pinafore — its characters, nautical themes, and humour — and translating that into eye-catching designs. The work they produced was thoughtful, colourful, and reflective of their own creative voices. This initiative helped deepen their understanding of performance art and allowed students to celebrate and contribute to a major cultural event in a meaningful way.

We are delighted to share that WCU has secured 100 Westminster seats for the 2026 HMS Pinafore performance. Performances were staged through the winter term and will now continue into early February 2026, providing plenty of opportunities for audiences — including school groups and families — to attend during the school year. This generous allocation ensures that our pupils, staff, and families can experience the magic of ENO live on stage together. Attending this performance will enrich our students’ appreciation of the arts, reinforce the value of their creative efforts in the poster competition, and create lasting memories as we celebrate their achievements both in and beyond the classroom

Thank you all for your continued support and involvement. It is with your partnership that we create these enriching experiences that foster lifelong learning and creativity in our children