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William Barnes School https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk Just another WordPress site Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:31:44 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped-LOGO-3-1-32x32.png William Barnes School https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk 32 32 Summer Term Dates for your diary https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/summer-term-dates-for-your-diary/ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:31:44 +0000 https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/?p=7768 Monday 13th April –  back to school 

Thursday 30th April –  Year 1 trip 

 

Monday 4th May –  Bank holiday – no school 

Wednesday 6th May – Year 4 trip 

11th – 15th May –  Year 6 SATs week 

Wednesday 13th – May Cross Country @ Shillingstone 

Friday 15th May –  Year 6 Mill walk 

Tuesday 19th May –  KS2 BSO trip 

Friday 22nd May –  Non-uniform Day (PTFA) 

 

23rd May – 1st June –  half-term break  

Wednesday 3rd June –  Year 2 trip 

8th – 12th June –  Family Learning Week/Great Big Green Week 

Friday 12th June –  Family Festival (PTFA) 

Tuesday 16th June –  Class photographs 

Tuesday 23rd June –  Mental Health Schools Team – Year 5 & 6 Transition sessions  

Wednesday 24th June –  Sports Day 

Friday 26th June –  Year 6 trip 

Friday 26th June – Year 1 & 2 Rounders tournament (a.m.) 

 

 

Wednesday 1st July –  Aquathlon 

Thursday 2nd July –  Year 5 ‘Step Up’ Day @ Sturminster High School 

Wednesday 8th July –  Transition Day 

Wednesday 8th July –  Year 5/6 Rounders @Child Okeford 

Thursday 9th & Friday 10th July –  Year 6 performances 

Friday 17th July –  Year 6 Leavers’ event (PTFA) 

Monday 20th July –  Year 6 Leavers’ assembly 

Tuesday 21st July –  Last day of term  

]]> The Next Big Step For Year 6 https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/the-next-big-step-for-year-6/ Wed, 23 Jul 2025 11:19:25 +0000 https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/?p=7547 The Next Big Step Is Taken! The KS2 performance ‘The Next Big Step’ will be performed near the end of term. With years 3,4 and 5 making up the choir for the musical aspect of the production, Year 6 have been expanding their comfort zones with their acting, singing, soloing and dancing. Much effort has been given to the very important skills of clarity, volume and expression – all part of the English Curriculum – and the children are proving themselves to be ambitious and brave. (RF)

If you would like to watch the video of the production please follow the link and use the password that you have been sent via Arbor.

 

 

]]> Focused Year 6 Prepare for Pancake Pelt  https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/focused-year-6-prepare-for-pancake-pelt/ Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:42:13 +0000 https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/?p=7434 As part of the community’s celebration of pancake day, the children from every class were given the opportunity to take part in a pancake race on the recreation ground.  This was organised by the town council and featured teams from local businesses such as Harts and Friar’s Moor vets.  Although the event was designed to be fun, many of the children took the race quite seriously, remembering who came first in previous year’s races.  Year 6 in particular, prepared carefully for their race, honing their pancake flipping skills and preparing themselves mentally for the exciting race ahead.

 

]]> Beyond the Classroom: Building Character Through Extracurricular Activities and Residential Trips https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/7430-2/ Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:25:40 +0000 https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/?p=7430 At William Barnes, we believe that learning goes far beyond the classroom. Our children, staff, and governors all recognize the incredible value of extracurricular activities and residential trips in helping children grow into confident, resilient, and well-rounded individuals.

We offer a wide range of after-school clubs, giving children the opportunity to explore their interests and develop new skills. Whether it’s chess, girls’ football, handball, homework club, or running, there’s something for everyone. Beyond these school-based opportunities, children are also invited to represent William Barnes in various sporting events, including the Davison Cup, local football and tag rugby tournaments, the Shillingstone cross-country event, the Aquathon, and the annual athletics meet held at the High School. These experiences help children learn the importance of teamwork, develop grace in both victory and defeat, and build the confidence to step outside their comfort zones.

For children in Years 4, 5, and 6, the adventure continues with the chance to take part in residential trips that foster independence and resilience.

  • Year 4: A one-night stay at Buddens Educational Centre near Wareham introduces children to the experience of being away from home.
  • Year 5: A two-night adventure at Leeson House Field Studies Centre offers opportunities for exploration and discovery.
  • Year 6: A two-night stay at PGL at Osmington Mills challenges children to try new activities and push their boundaries.

These residentials provide a supportive space where children can develop their independence, face new challenges, and build the resilience needed to overcome obstacles. Each experience encourages them to extend their comfort zones, develop character, and grow in confidence as they navigate unfamiliar situations.

 

]]> Whole School Read to Start the Day https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/whole-school-read-to-start-the-day/ Mon, 13 Jan 2025 20:27:49 +0000 https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/?p=7330 Since the arrival of the our headteacher, Ms. Locke her genuine appreciation of children’s literature has become increasingly evident to both staff and children. Anyone having the chance to chat with her about reading, quickly discovers her passion for children’s authors and her encyclopaedic knowledge of various children’s authors and their works.

Among the many changes she has introduced to the school’s daily routine, perhaps the most popular—both with children and teachers—is the opportunity for each class to begin the day by reading a shared class book. Previously, the day started with a quick register followed by a hurried dash to the hall for Wake and Shake. While this was great for children’s fitness, it often made the start of the day feel disjointed, leaving little time for the children to settle in.

In contrast, school days now begin more gently, with children sitting together as a class and enjoying a whole-class story. This new routine allows children to develop their reading and listening skills while providing a calm and focused start to the day before lessons begin at 9 a.m. Visitors walking through the school between 8:45 and 9 a.m. would be amazed at the level of engagement and interest displayed by the children and the calm, tranquil atmosphere that pervades the school during this time.

Staff have also noticed another positive outcome of this change: a reduction in the number of children arriving late for the start of the school day. It seems the captivating stories being shared in each class have motivated children to arrive on time, eager not to miss the next enthralling chapter. (RH)

 

]]> Autumn Term Ends with Christmas Crescendo!! https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/autumn-term-ends-with-christmas-crescendo/ Mon, 13 Jan 2025 20:17:51 +0000 https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/?p=7326 At William Barnes, the end of the autumn term is always an exciting and magical time for both children and adults. As December begins, classrooms are transformed with festive decorations, twinkling lights, and even the occasional Christmas tree. Harts of Sturminster generously provides the school with a tree, which takes pride of place in the hall, and the Christmas post box is dusted off and set up, ready for the children to have their Christmas cards delivered daily to their classrooms.

Miss Gilbert becomes particularly busy as the school choir embarks on their Christmas tour. This year, the choir earned rave reviews for their performances at the Christmas lights switch-on in the marketplace, at Nazareth Lodge care home and at the opening of the PTFA Christmas market.

Meanwhile, children across the school, along with staff, work tirelessly to create Christmas crafts for the market. Reception and Year 6 focus their efforts on the nativity performance, which is the centrepiece of the school’s visit to St. Mary’s Church during the final week of term. Years 1 and 2 concentrate on learning songs, stage positions, and lines for their Christmas production.

One of the most eagerly anticipated events is the whole-school trip to the pantomime at the Lighthouse Theatre in Poole. This high-quality production provides an invaluable opportunity for the children to experience live theatre. A cherished tradition at William Barnes, the visit is made even more special with ice creams for the children, kindly supplied by the PTFA.

In the final week of term, Christmas dinner makes an appearance as staff join the children for a festive lunch in the school hall. In earlier years, this lunch was held in the old town hall next to the library, and later in the main hall of the Exchange.

Despite the festive buzz, the curriculum remains a priority, with teachers completing assessments and continuing normal lessons. However, on the last afternoon of term, children often get a chance to unwind, perhaps  having a Christmas Quiz with their classmates.

The autumn term always ends on a joyful note, leaving everyone in the school community ready to embrace the holiday season. (RH)

 

]]> Open Afternoon and Evening, Wednesday 23rd October https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/7076-2/ Wed, 11 Sep 2024 10:18:53 +0000 https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/?p=7076

WILLIAM BARNES PRIMARY SCHOOL

OPEN AFTERNOON AND EVENING

 

WEDNESDAY 23rd OCTOBER

1.30 pm and 6pm

Would you like to know more about the opportunities for your 4-year-old starting school in September 2025?

If so, why not come along to

William Barnes Primary School

Tour of the school at 1.30pm on Wednesday 23rd October 2024

and then

Meet the Headteacher and our Early Years Teaching Staff – 6pm

After a short meeting where you will be given the opportunity to ask questions, there will be a chance to look around our early years’ classroom.

Bridge Street, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BZ

Tel 01258 472257

E office@williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk

W www.williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk

]]> ‘Goodbye Mr Friend’ Ends Decade of Mrs Wrixon’s Leadership https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/goodbye-mr-friend-ends-decade-of-mrs-wrixons-leadership/ Wed, 24 Jul 2024 17:42:01 +0000 https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/?p=7017 As the curtain fell on this year’s Key Stage 2 Production ‘Goodbye My Friend’ it also signalled the beginning of the last few days of Mrs Wrixon’s headship at William Barnes.  Having navigated the school through some difficult times including the Covid 19 Pandemic, and also prepared and successfully led the school through two OFSTED inspections in 2017 and 2023,  Mrs Wrixon retires knowing that she has left the school in a good place as new head Mrs Fiona Locke prepares to take over the headship of the school this September.

Please click on the link below to access the school Production video on Vimeo.  The password has been sent to all parents by text.

]]> Year 5 Head Back in Time https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/year-5-head-back-in-time/ Tue, 21 May 2024 08:34:41 +0000 https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/?p=6847 The children in year 5 recently enjoyed a brilliant day at the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne.  This is a site devoted to experimental archeaology.  Based on the best evidence available, the staff at Cranborne have created a collection of replica buildings that stretch from Mesolithic times through to the Vikings.  The centrepiece of the site is a huge underground building called the Earth House whose roof appears to a small hill.  During their visit, the class focussed on the transition from the Stone Age to the Iron Age.  They learnt how make bread using Stone Age technology, the importance of fire and how to make it using Iron ore and special bracket fungi, how to use flint knapping skills to create hand tools and how to prepare animal skins and branches for making clothes and tools.  Finally, the children worked as a team to move a 1.5 tonne monolith up hill using levers and ropes.  The hands on experience helped the children to gain a first hand experience of the life in the Stone Age and was an inspiring way to begin our new History topic.

]]> Cross Country Team Wins Every Race https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/cross-country-team-wins-every-race/ Thu, 16 May 2024 15:26:37 +0000 https://williambarnes.dorset.sch.uk/?p=6828 The cross country team continued the school’s amazing record in the local school’s competition by winning all of the races.  Held at Shillingstone each year, the event involves a relay of 4 x 600m around the school grounds.  There are races for years 3,4,5 and 6.  This year, the year 3 and 4 races were very close, but due to some individual brilliance, William Barnes arrived home with a few seconds to spare in each race.  In contrast, in year 5 and 6, the teams were almost a lap ahead of the other schools by the time the race had ended.  Mr Hull explained the team’s success, “a few years ago we started having termly cross country runs on the recreation ground in KS2.  This was one of the requirements of the Gold School Games mark – to keep a record of children’s personal bests in various events.  We always use exactly the same 600m course and keep a record of every child’s time.  The school record holders are on display in the school corridor.  Every year, we know exactly who our best runners are and give them the chance to shine in the inter school competition.  It was great to see all the parents cheering their children on, and the team being so proud of their achievements.”

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