Miss Hamalis talks about the Junior School's marking of the Geographical Association’s National Festival of Fieldwork. Read on to find out more!

This morning, the girls seemed rested and ready to embark on the final half term of the year. How quickly this academic year has flown by! We have created so many fantastic memories together, and I look forward to making even more before we break up for the Summer. 

This week we are marking the Geographical Association’s National Festival of Fieldwork. Throughout the week, teachers will be using their Understanding the World (Reception), Topic (KS1) and Geography (KS2) lessons to explore our school grounds and local area. The girls will engage with a variety of themes, including:

• Observing geographical features in our surroundings
• Investigating the origins of local street names
• Exploring habitats within the school grounds
• Practising map work and orienteering

These activities will provide hands-on learning experiences to deepen the girls’ understanding of Geography. By taking lessons outside the classroom, they will not only enhance their subject knowledge but also develop practical skills that are challenging to acquire indoors. They will engage with the ‘messiness’ of geographical reality, offering them opportunities to investigate, observe, discover, challenge and test out ideas, leading to a richer and broader understanding of the world around them. The goal is to foster a sense of enquiry and curiosity about their local area, nurturing them into observant and critically thoughtful individuals. Through these immersive experiences, the girls will see, hear, feel and comprehend Geography in a more meaningful way.

To complement this week and celebrate our fabulous grounds, Miss Snowdowne (Geography Lead) collaborated with Jade Francis (Alumnae and Development Manager) to source wonderful archival photographs of the school grounds. Many of these photos date back to the early 1900s, capturing the era when the school first welcomed girls as boarders, as well as more recent images showcasing the development of Fairseat Hall, the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and the adventure playground. A selection of these photographs will be displayed in the Library.

To whet your appetite, here’s a glimpse into our rich history, shared with the girls at this morning’s assembly. Founded in 1885 by Rev Robert Spears (1825-99) and sisters Miss Emily Sharpe (1828-1914) and Miss Matilda Sharpe (1830-1916), Channing School was initially established for the daughters of Unitarian ministers and others. Our school remains the only independent Unitarian school in Britain, offering an inspirational education for girls aged 4-18 years.

From its humble beginnings, with just 35 pupils occupying two houses on The Bank on Highgate Hill and West View, our School has grown to over 1,000 pupils across both the Junior and Senior School. Although the boarding option was discontinued in 1967, a strong sense of identity and community endures among current pupils and alumnae alike.