History Ambassadors Remembrance Research Project

11th November 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

To commemorate Remembrance Sunday, some of our Year 5 and 6 pupils took part in a special local history project. They spent time researching some of the brave soldiers from our own community who once lived right here in Boldon.

They shared it with the rest of children in assembly.

Using local ancestry records, census information, and other historical sources, the children discovered more about three heroic men — John Herbert Dryden, W. Halliday, and William Edward James.

We wonder if any of our families may have connections to these remarkable individuals…

We will remember them…

11th November 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

This week, our school community has come together to remember and honour those who have served and sacrificed for our country.

Our Remembrance commemorations began on Sunday, when representatives from West Boldon Primary School proudly attended the Boldon Colliery War Memorial service. A beautiful wreath, made by our children, was laid in memory of all the soldiers who fought and died for us — a gesture of respect and gratitude from our whole school community.

Back in school, pupils reflected on the importance of remembrance through a special assembly, which shared stories of bravery, loss, and hope. This was followed by our two-minute silence at 11 o’clock, when the whole school gathered in the hall to pause, reflect, and remember together.

Northumbrian Pipers’ Society visit Year 6

28th September 2025Miss K. Wilkinson
As part of our ELE, Year 6 were delighted to welcome Andrew Davison OBE, Chairman of The Northumbrian Pipers’ Society, along with Nicola, a talented piper, into school today!
Year 6 were captivated as Andrew and Nicola shared the rich history and cultural importance of the Northumbrian small pipes — a unique instrument to our region. They played a variety of songs, giving everyone a chance to hear the distinctive sound of the pipes, and laid out four different sets to show how the instrument has evolved over time — from just 8 notes to the 20-note version used today.
Children loved discovering how the pipes are made, connecting this to their classroom learning in a hands-on and exciting way. Andrew also spoke about his prestigious role as piper to His Grace, the Duke of Northumberland, bringing history and tradition right into the classroom.
The session ended on a high note as the children even had the chance to try the pipes themselves — sparking real curiosity and enthusiasm for this special part of our North East heritage.

VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember

9th May 2025Miss K. Wilkinson

What an incredible day we’ve had at West Boldon Primary, coming together to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day!

Our celebrations began with a special whole-school assembly where pupils learned all about Victory in Europe Day and its importance in marking the end of World War II in Europe. Together, we reflected on the sacrifices made, the resilience of those on the home front, and the joy and relief felt across the nation on that historic day in 1945.

Back in the classrooms, the learning continued in creative and meaningful ways. Children took part in a wide range of engaging activities – from designing their own commemorative bunting and making wartime-inspired crafts, to handling historical sources and writing thoughtful diary entries and reports as if they were children living through that momentous time in history. Their work was not only imaginative but showed a real depth of understanding.

The fun didn’t stop there! We had wartime music playing throughout the day, and the children enjoyed learning some traditional dances – bringing a little of the 1940s. Our school was filled with laughter and music as everyone joined in with the festivities.

Of course, no celebration would be complete without food, and we were treated to a fantastic VE Day-themed picnic lunch, full of delicious treats prepared by our amazing catering team. From traditional sandwiches to beautifully baked cakes, the lunch was a real highlight and a lovely way to bring everyone together.

It’s been a day filled with learning, joy, community spirit, and heartfelt remembrance. A huge thank you to all the staff, pupils, and families who helped make today so special.

Happy VE Day from all of us at West Boldon Primary!

Arts Week 2022

26th May 2022Miss K. Wilkinson

In school this week we have been celebrating Arts Week alongside the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee! The children have learnt all about Queen Elizabeth II while finessing their artistic skills and talents.

Here’s what each year group has gotten up to…

 

Year 2

Year 2 were busy making crowns fit for a Queen… or King!

After designing their brief, their first task was to practise stitching buttons and sequins onto a sample material. As you can see, they had lots of fun perfecting their skills for the real thing! Well done Year 2.

 

 Year 3

In Year 3 the children focussed on Pop Art. The children looked at the Andy Warhol image ‘Reigning Queens’ identifying who the different monarchs were with a focus on Queen Elizabeth. They discussed the different colours used, then they looked at traditional Andy Warhol artwork where the same image is repeated in different colours. On the chromebooks, children were given an image of the queen which they then had to copy, paste and arrange into a 2×2 grid and change the colours.

Pop Art Queens by Year 3

Year 3 also learned about the Superbloom project where over 20 million seeds from 29 flower species have been planted in the Tower of London moat to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.

They focussed on the flax flower, the national flower of Northern Ireland. They sketched their own flax flowers following a simple tutorial, then painted their creations using water colours. The results were incredible and it was particularly lovely to see them altogether, and see that every single painting was different!

 

Year 5

To celebrate the Queen’s 70th jubilee Year 5 were tasked with making a union jack themed bunting for a school display. Using fabric pens, paints and a few British themed templates, each pupil created their own contribution to the Year 5 piece.

Year 5 completing their Queens Jubilee art work

 

Mosaics and clay pots in Year 6

8th April 2022Miss K. Wilkinson

As part of Year 6’s Dimensions topic they have been discovering more about the Romans. They were fabulous craftsmen; they used their legacy to create mosaics and clay pots.

Mosaics

Clay pots

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

28th January 2022Miss K. Wilkinson

Year 6 have been learning the song Swing Low, Sweet Chariot as part of their Dimensions topic on Culture.

Here is their final rendition.

I have a dream…

28th January 2022Miss K. Wilkinson

To finish their ‘I Have a Dream’ Culture unit, Year 6 have written speeches and shared them with the whole school as part of their class assembly.

I’m sure you’ll agree that their perfect worlds sound just incredible. Well done Year 6!

A year 6 child's I Have a Dream speech A year 6 child's I Have a Dream speech A year 6 child's I Have a Dream speech A year 6 child's I Have a Dream speech A year 6 child's I Have a Dream speech A year 6 child's I Have a Dream speech

Remembrance Day 2021

12th November 2021Miss K. Wilkinson
Children gathering to show their respect at 11am We will remember them...

Whilst we aren’t able to hold full school events inside due to COVID, we were thankfully still able to go outside to recognise Remembrance Day.

We heard the Last Post and stood in silence for two minutes to show our respect.

Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Year 1 children with their wreathChildren gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am Children gathering to show their respect at 11am
Each class has created their own wreath and we have also created our own school wreath that will be placed at the Boldon cenotaph.

West Boldon Primary Schools wreath for the Boldon cenotaph All of the wreaths made by the children A wreath made by the children A wreath made by the children Year 4's wreath Year 3's wreath A wreath made by the children A wreath made by the children
Class 14 also created remembrance artwork for commemorate Remembrance Day. They used the medium of charcoal to create an image of what we may see over the top in no man’s land, whilst listening to Remembrance music. We hope you like our artwork:

Children in Year 6 creating their charcoal drawings  Children in Year 6 working on their charcoal drawings Year 6 children working on their charcoal drawings
Year 6's charcoal drawings for Remembrance DayYear 6's completed drawings