The Harrison Foundation kick starts the STEM train carriage transformation

9th February 2023Lee Wilkinson

We have received some amazing news this week. Funding from The Harrison Foundation has made it possible to turn our second train carriage into a STEM hub. The Stem hub will be part of the Harrison Foundations Social mobility centres.

The Harrison Foundation partnership will have a major impact helping to target various issues including giving disadvantaged children life skills and opportunities aiming to break the cycle of poverty, using the train as an inspirational setting to learn.

The Dales School in Blyth recently appealed for additional support to transform the second train carriage into a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) room to target early career aspirations with local businesses in ICT, mechanics, architecture and science.

After hearing about the project from Blyth MP Ian Levy, the North-East based Harrison Foundation has stepped in to provide additional funding for the STEM room, which will also be used to teach practical railway safety and independent travel skills for children with special educational needs.

Dr Sue Fisher, headteacher at The Dales School, commented: “The Dales School is extremely proud to be working with the Harrison Foundation, particularly as they have helped so many individuals to gain life experiences, this is something we are passionate about at The Dales School. Their community work aligns within our vision for the STEM carriage. With the Harrison Foundation as our partner, we will be able to achieve our vision and aspirations to benefit and inspire the next generation.”

Harrison Foundation trustee, Daniel Harrison, added: “I’m delighted that the Harrison Foundation is supporting The Dales School and the next phase of this great idea. Our projects come in all shapes and sizes and which school children would not be excited to have a real train in their playground, where they can read and learn? It’s a great idea and one that we’re delighted to support.”

“I’d like to also thank local MP Ian Levy who played a vital role in connecting us with the Dales school and paving the way for the support we’re able to offer this amazing project.”

Blyth Valley MP, Ian Levy, said: “I’ve been really impressed with the ambition of this project and am happy to have been able to help in some small way. The school, and James Groundwater in particular, deserve huge credit for their persistence in making it happen and I’d like to thank all of the organisations and companies who contributed including the Harrison Foundation. It’s great to have such a wonderful facility in Blyth Valley and to see it on the television.”

Building and cooking

23rd January 2023Lee Wilkinson
In outdoor learning we practiced being architects and built our own houses. We looked at how to build teepees like Native Americans and also what shapes and angles we use when building houses. We all had a great time looking at traditional English breakfasts and cooked sausages and beans and made toast on the fire pit.
Here are some of our designs.

Aln Valley Polar Express Day

16th December 2022Lee Wilkinson

Children from B7 (Sycamore) and B11 (Cedar) were invited to Aln Valley Railway to have a ride on their Polar Express. The snow was falling when they arrived but they were still able to have a look around the engine shed. Thank you to the Aln Valley Railway for a lovely Christmas trip.

Train Christmas Blog

16th December 2022Lee Wilkinson

Northern Rail

Thank you to Northern Rail who is working with The Dales School to help the children experience train travel. The children are developing some fantastic life skills using the Northern Rail trains. We have enjoyed trips to Morpeth and Newcastle by train.

Northern rail invited The Dales School to a special Polar Express train ride on the new Northumberland Line. The children were able to meet Father Christmas on the train and also received books and chocolate from Father Christmas and his elves. Thank you so much to Marie Addison and Paul Henry for the continued support.

 

Northumberland Line Hoardings

We are very proud of the children who took part in the Northumberland line Hoardings day at Ashington Station. It was a very cold day and the children were very professional talking to the press and getting their photo taken for newspapers. We even met the leader of Northumberland County Council Mr Glen Sanderson.

The Children took part in working with a photographer called Lindsey Duncanson as part of the Northumberland line project. We are looking forward to travelling by train as the new stations will include Bedlington and Ashington, based very close to our two schools and Blyth and Ashington. The children asked some fantastic questions to Morgan Sindall who is the company building the new stations.

Some of the children have left us to go on to new schools who are displayed on the hoardings, but it was nice to look back at the fantastic time we had choosing the photographs for Lyndsey. The photographs were from a collection of old steam trains working on the Northumberland line when it was last used in the 1960s, taken by Ken Groundwater and Malcolm Dunnett. (Mr Groundwaters Dad)

This is the links to the newspapers.

https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/people/northumberland-line-new-hoardings-installed-at-ashington-station-feature-children-from-the-dales-school-3955353

https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/people/cuncil-leader-says-new-northumberland-line-will-end-traffic-jam-misery-for-thousands-3955470

Here are a few photos from the day.

Beauty and the Beast

16th December 2022Lee Wilkinson
Class B13 (Pine) went to see ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle.
The children really enjoyed this experience for the first time and can’t wait to go again next year.
One child quoted ‘This is the best school trip ever’.

Sycamore’s Searching Space and Halloween Fun!

20th October 2022Jennifer Tatters

This week in Sycamore class, we have continued our space topic. Last week we looked at ‘The Dinosaur that pooped a planet’, which really captured our imagination! We looked at the different planets, had a go at inventing our own planet, and even investigated how rockets launch, which was lots of fun! We also took inspiration from Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ to create our own night sky.

This week, we finished off our space topic with the story ‘The Way Back Home’. We looked at gravity and how parachutes work, by making our own parachutes to protect an egg. Unfortunately some of the eggs didn’t last the journey! We still had a smashing time though!

We ended the week with some spooky Halloween activities! We read and watched ‘Room on a broom’, invented our own brooms and took part in some spooky sensory activities.

Sycamore class have worked so hard this half term and deserve a well earned break. Enjoy!

Transport & Pollution

17th October 2022Lee Wilkinson

B13 (Pine) Class have worked hard this term studying different types of transport and exploring different types of pollution. The children in B13 took a trip to Woodhorn and The Land Sea and Air Museum, they particularly enjoyed sitting in the old war cars and aircraft.