Today, our Year 3 children visited Perlethorpe as part of our river topic and what a fantastic day it was!
During our visit, we explored the River Meden and discovered that its source begins just north of Huthwaite, near the Derbyshire border and its mouth enters the River Idle near Markham Moor. Using our key river vocabulary, we identified that we were observing the middle course of the river.
We also learnt that the River Meden is considered one of the cleanest rivers in the UK — something we were very excited about!We started the morning by hunting for small insects and mini-beasts that live in the river. The children worked carefully to capture them using nets and trays before identifying them, although some of us may have got a little wet in the process! It was wonderful to see the children using different techniques and working together so well.
Afterwards, we enjoyed our lunch in the sunshine next to the cattle fields, the weather was absolutely glorious! ☀️🐄
In the afternoon, we used our orienteering and map-reading skills, working in small groups to locate hidden letters that revealed a river-related word. The teamwork, communication, and enthusiasm shown were fantastic to see.Before heading home, we ventured into the woods where the children built dens and took part in creative play, a wonderful way to end such a busy and exciting day! 🌳🏕️
The children were an absolute delight and a real credit to our school. I was so proud to see them working as a team, taking turns, communicating beautifully, and showing care not only towards nature but towards one another. Some children didn’t want to leave and even said it was their favourite school trip so far — what a lovely way to finish the day! A truly memorable experience for Year 3! 💚