Extra-terrestrial teaching at Hillcroft

Children at Hillcroft Primary School in Caterham had an out-of-this-world experience when they enjoyed a Space Workshop.

Around 60 Year 5 children at Hillcroft, were joined by STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] Ambassador Kerry Henderson, who led them through their very own space odyssey on 11 March.Tying in with the group’s recent classroom studies on space, the workshop focused on the planet Venus and the Earth’s moon, and was just one of a series of events that have taken place at the school in recent months.

“We often have workshops at Hillcroft,” said Assistant Headteacher Emma Parker. “This year, we’ve had an e-safety workshop, a workshop and assemblies with the Dogs Trust, and an Anglo-Saxon and Viking Workshop, to name a few.”

“Kerry has been a visitor to Hillcroft plenty of times,” she continued. “She offers many different workshops and for different year groups. The current Year 5 cohort have had three or four workshops from her in different years and different subjects.”
“Events like this are extremely important for the children,” she added. “The benefits they get from having hands-on, exciting events gives them a different viewpoint when it comes to their learning; it engages them in topics and develops a wide range of skills.
“They often get to experience things in another way. It gives us the opportunity to offer a broad range of experiences within school when visits elsewhere aren’t always possible. They enjoyed all of it and learnt a lot.”