Gorillas
Welcome to Gorillas, where mighty learners grow into mighty leaders! Our classroom is a place where determination, independence and teamwork are celebrated every day. We believe that every child has something special to offer, and we encourage our Gorillas to be ambitious, take on challenges and never give up when things become tricky. Guided by our Oxley values of ‘Be Kind’, ‘Be Brilliant’ and ‘Have an I can attitude’, we aim to develop resilient, enthusiastic learners who are proud of themselves and one another.
There is never a dull moment in Gorillas! Our learning takes us on adventures across the world and through history, beginning with the intriguing question of how childhood has changed over time. We then uncover the mysteries of ancient Egypt, discovering what mattered most to this remarkable civilisation, before investigating the achievements and lasting influence of the ancient Maya. Our geographical adventures take us to the icy wilderness of Antarctica, introduce us to different settlements around the world and follow the journeys of rivers as we discover how they shape the landscapes and communities around them.
Curiosity is a big part of being a Gorilla, especially when it comes to Science! We love getting stuck into investigations, making predictions and discovering why things happen. From exploring how our skeletons help us move and why nutrition matters, to experimenting with forces, magnets and light, there is always something new to uncover. We also venture into the natural world to investigate plants, biodiversity, rocks, soils and fossils, while considering how reducing food waste can help protect our environment.
We believe that imagination should have no limits! Our budding artists experiment with charcoal, discover the possibilities of shape and colour, and use different materials to tell stories through their creations. Design challenges put our practical skills to the test as we develop packaging, construct moving mechanical cars and discover the benefits of cooking with seasonal ingredients. Meanwhile, our young programmers use Scratch to bring their ideas to life and develop their understanding of data through branching databases.
Music brings a wonderful energy to Gorillas! We explore rhythm, pitch and music technology, with Year 3 children learning to play the recorder and Year 4 children taking on the exciting challenge of the saxophone. We also enjoy developing our French vocabulary, learning how to talk about animals, pets and everyday classroom life. Whether performing, creating, speaking or experimenting, there are plenty of opportunities for every Gorilla to discover a new talent.
Of course, being a mighty leader is about much more than what we learn in lessons. Through PSHE and World Cultures and Beliefs, we explore what it means to be a good friend, how to show respect, make sensible choices and stay safe both online and in everyday life. We learn about different beliefs and traditions, including Hinduism and Christianity, helping us appreciate the diverse world in which we live.
Books open the door to endless possibilities in Gorillas. Reading is a treasured part of our school day, whether we are sharing a class story, exploring a new author or using our favourite characters and adventures to inspire our own writing. In Maths, we enjoy tackling challenges, explaining our thinking and using practical resources and visual models to make sense of new concepts. We know that mistakes are part of learning and that perseverance is often the key to success.
We also love opportunities to get active, work together and challenge ourselves. From rugby, handball and tennis to dance, gymnastics and outdoor adventurous activities, our PE lessons help us develop coordination, confidence, resilience and good sportsmanship.
Being a Gorilla means being a mighty learner and a mighty leader! We take pride in making good choices, showing initiative, helping others and setting a positive example. Our classroom is a place where every voice matters, every achievement is celebrated and everyone has a part to play. Together, we aim high, look after our Gorilla family and make every day an opportunity to learn, lead and grow.
Welcome to the Year Ahead – Parent Meets 2026/27