KS1 had a fantastic trip to the Thames Barrier as part of their Geography learning. During the visit, the children explored and identified both human features and physical features of the local environment. They observed the impressive Thames Barrier, roads, buildings and bridges, as well as natural features such as the River Thames and surrounding green spaces. The children thoroughly enjoyed their day and developed a greater understanding of how people and nature shape the world around us.

Year 5 had an unforgettable adventure at Fairplay House, packed full of exciting activities, challenges and plenty of laughter! For many children, this was their first time away from home, and they showed fantastic independence throughout the trip. From learning how to make their beds to taking part in a duty rota to help keep their rooms tidy, we hope these newly learnt skills continue at home too!

The week was full of opportunities for children to challenge themselves. Many conquered their fears of heights, including one very nervous pupil who went from having “jelly legs” at the top of the climbing tower to eagerly running back for a second turn on the zip wire. The children showed incredible courage, resilience and teamwork during activities such as high ropes, caving and den building. Working together to navigate the caves and encourage one another was wonderful to see.

Crab catching caused great excitement too, with an amazing 97 crabs caught and safely released! The squeals of joy and excitement whenever a crab was pulled from the water will certainly be remembered for a long time.

The evenings were just as special, with a peaceful evening walk followed by a bonfire and toasted marshmallows. Throughout the week confidence grew and memories were made that will be treasured for years to come. Fairplay House was truly an adventure to remember!

As part of their Rivers topic, Year 5 enjoyed an exciting trip to Three Mills Green, where they swapped the classroom for the riverbank! The children had the wonderful opportunity to explore the historic House Mill, a 250-year-old tidal mill, and learn how rivers have been used to power mills for hundreds of years. During a guided tour, they discovered how the mill worked and even had a chance to get hands-on by using mini millstones to grind wheat themselves. It was a fantastic day of learning, exploration and fun!

Our KS1 children recently went on a fantastic trip to the Green Street Mosque in Newham. The visit was a wonderful opportunity for the children to step inside a Muslim place of worship, learn about its importance, and see how the local community comes together to practice their faith.

Both the children and staff were absolutely captivated by the building’s stunning architecture, which is filled with beautiful geometric patterns and intricate calligraphy artwork.

During the tour, the children explored the main areas of the mosque and got a close-up look at some special Islamic artefacts.

Fumni was buzzing with excitement:
"We enjoyed looking at the artefacts such as the Quran and prayer beads. We also listened to a short talk about the key areas in the mosque—it was amazing!"

Thomas was equally impressed by the atmosphere:
"The mosque was beautifully designed, and there were lots of people learning in the mosque."

At Ranelagh, we truly believe that visiting different places of worship is vital. These experiences do so much more than just teach facts; they build real understanding, tolerance, and respect. By exploring different faiths firsthand, we are helping our children grow into thoughtful, open-minded citizens who are ready to thrive in our wonderfully multicultural world. 

We were incredibly proud that Ranelagh was selected as one of only 100 schools across London to open its doors for the RISE Open Fortnight—an opportunity for schools to showcase excellent practice in Inclusion. It was a  wonderful reflection of the work happening here every day.

Alongside visitors from across London, we were delighted to host a group of Dutch headteachers, who travelled to Newham. Over the past decade, we have learnt a great deal from one another, and Ranelagh has shared its practice with colleagues from abroad. It was a pleasure to welcome them back and show them what makes our school so special.

The Inclusion Ambassadors Shine

A selected group of our children had an absolutely magical time at the circus last week! They watched in amazement as trapeze artists soared, clowns brought the laughter, and daring cyclists defied gravity. Surrounded by vibrant lights, lively music, and incredible costumes, it was a truly unforgettable day. ‘The motor cyclists were amazing,’ said Luca.

The trip was not only fun but the children saw firsthand the power of practice, teamwork, and confidence. It was a day of pure joy that will be cherished for a long time!