This week, children at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle enjoyed a truly memorable learning experience that brought their classroom work to life through hands‑on exploration and local links.

As part of their English learning, pupils had been developing their writing skills by expanding sentences and adding greater detail. Building on this, the children applied their descriptive writing to explain how to make an Egyptian skiff boat, linking their literacy work with their wider curriculum learning about Ancient Egypt.

Taking their learning outdoors, the children walked down to the River Tees, where they put their ideas into action. Using their knowledge and skills, pupils gathered sticks and learned how to weave string and leaves to construct their own skiff boat models. The activity challenged the children to work carefully and cooperatively while developing impressive weaving techniques.

Once the boats were complete, the excitement continued with a boat race, as pupils tested which design would be best for Pharaoh Amasis to sail down the River Nile. Some of the boats were so well made that they travelled at great speed down the river, nearly disappearing from sight!

The children showed fantastic creativity, teamwork and perseverance throughout the activity, and their weaving skills were particularly impressive. Most importantly, they were able to see how their learning connects across subjects and into the world beyond the classroom.

This experience was a wonderful example of our connected curriculum at St Mary’s, making meaningful links between English, history, design skills and our local environment. Well done to all the boys and girls for their enthusiasm, effort and creativity.