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Discovering Prinsted with Year 3

As part of our whole school topic, 'Discovering Southbourne', we have been out and about this term getting to know our local surroundings in more detail. Year 3 focused on Prinsted Beach, and specifically whether or not it is accessible for everyone. 

Over the last few weeks they have visited the beach 4 times exploring and investigating different things every time. They researched who goes to the beach, the main reasons they go there, how often they visit and how far they travel. This data was used to support their maths and inform their plans to make the beach more accessible to everyone who lives in Southbourne and Prinsted. 

As part of a technology and engineering project the children have looked at different solutions to make the beach accessible for everyone. They decided to build a walkway which would enable people with pushchairs, wheelchairs and walking frames to also enjoy the beach. They have designed and built prototypes working with a range of materials before evaluating their effectiveness.

In science they have been gaining an understanding of the types of rocks that naturally occur in the area as well as those which have been brought in to be used for a variety of reasons. The children even got to make their own fossils!

By gaining a deeper appreciation of Prinsted Beach, the children were able to write some beautifully descriptive poems which they turned into class books to give to their new teachers in Year 4. They were also able to write about all of the great benefits of visiting Prinsted in some very creative and persuasive advertising leaflets. 

After studying the work of Andy Goldsworthy, the children got to know all of the resources available to them at the beach before planning and creating some ephemeral art of their own.

This project has been enjoyed by the children and staff alike. It has been a great opportunity to take their learning outside and to look at their local area from a different perspective.