This half term’s topic for the Year 1 and 2 pupils at Therfield First School was literally a ‘hot’ topic, that ended with a bang.
The class of five to seven-year-olds have been looking at the topic The Great Fire of London, and worked together to plan and build their very own Pudding Lane – before it was set ablaze on the school field last Thursday.
Firefighters from Royston also went along to promote fire safety, and the whole school and parents watch on as their street burned just like it did in real life in 1665 – with the crowd singing London’s Burning at the tops of their voices.
Ciara Foulser, aged six, said: “It was fantastic and really fun to make St Paul’s Cathedral.”
Six-year-old Ben Ellis, said: “I felt tingly on the inside!”
And Spencer Temple, also six, said: “It was exciting because I thought it would burn much slower.”
The event was masterminded and organised by long-serving teacher Charlotte Oram, who said: “It was fantastic to see the children so focused and engaged.
“It was a day to remember and the children thoroughly enjoyed bringing their learning to life.”
Headteacher Tara McGovern said: “The children have really enjoyed learning all about The Great Fire of London and how life has dramatically changed since 1666.”
The event was a huge success and has been a real talking point throughout the school.
“Pupils wrote recounts of the great burn and the teachers and I were very impressed at the quality of the children’s writing,” said Mrs McGovern.
“It just goes to show what a difference it makes when children are actively involved in the learning journey.
“Mrs Oram has created a profound learning experience that we will all remember for the rest of our lives.”
Ray Constant, watch commander at Royston Fire Station, said: “The crew enjoyed coming to visit the children at Therfield First School, where we are always made to feel very welcome.
“We gave the children some fire safety advice but the biggest thrill of the day was watching them watching their Great Fire of London models being burned down.”
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