GRANDPARENTS of pupils at Walwayne Court Primary School had an opportunity to experience a day in the life of the school and take part in outdoor learning with their grandchildren last Friday.

The school’s annual Grandparents Day, which has been taking place for five years, gives children a chance to invite their grandparents in to take part in lessons and a fun afternoon of entertainment.

More than 120 grandparents took up the offer and joined their grandchildren for the schools “Empty the Classroom Day”, where the school holds many of its lessons outside.

Grandparents took part in a range of activities, from creating clay creatures and cooking, to using the iPad and gardening, before enjoying a picnic lunch outside or having a cooked meal in the hall.

Headteacher Bev Kenyon said: “It is something we have done for the last five years and it was great to see more than 120 grandparents take part in the children’s outdoor learning.

“We had lots of fantastic feedback from those who came and they enjoyed experiencing a day in the life of a school. It’s an amazing opportunity for the children to be with their grandparents and many said they were already looking forward to next year.”

After lunch, the grandparents were treated to homemade cakes, biscuits and scones which had been freshly made in the morning by Year 4 and 5 pupils with some of the grandparents.

There was then an afternoon of entertainment, including performances by Walwayne school’s choir and dance troupe, plus recitals by pupils on clarinet, flute and saxophone.

Ms Kenyon added: “It was an amazing day and it was wonderful to see the children show their talents to such a large audience, with great performances by the school choir, dance troupe and Year 6 ahead of their forthcoming production, as well as fantastic individual performances.”