GLF Schools

GLF Schools

GLF Schools was founded in 2012 in order to enable the federation of Glyn School (an academy in 2011) and Danetree Junior School. Together, we began our journey to become a MAT of more than 1000 talented staff working with over 10,000 children in 40 schools across 5 regions in southern England.

Our Schools

Banbury Region

Banstead Region

Berkshire & Hampshire Region

Caterham Region

Crawley Region

Didcot Region

Epsom Region

London Boroughs

Redhill Region

Sunbury & Camberley Region

Autumn 2

This half-term, our learning is all about celebrations, community, and winter changes. Children will explore big questions through exciting projects, stories, and hands-on experiences.

Project 1: Celebrations – Diwali & Bonfire Night1CFA8CC6412C464A992EAE8A15B6C3AA

 

Big Questions:

  • What is Bonfire Night and how do we celebrate it?
  • What is Diwali and how is it celebrated?

What we’ll do:

  • Learn why Bonfire Night is celebrated and how to stay safe.
  • Discover Diwali as the Festival of Lights and explore traditions like Diva lamps and Rangoli patterns.
  • Create artwork inspired by fireworks and Diwali colours.
  • Enjoy sensory play with coloured rice and clay Diva lamps.

Key Texts:

  • The Best Diwali Ever – Sonali Shah
  • Celebrations Around the World – Diwali

Vocabulary:
Celebrate, light, dark, bonfire, Diwali, safety, good, bad.

Project 2: People in Our Community

Big Questions:

  • What jobs do people in our community do?
  • Who helps us and how?
  • Who works in the daytime and at night?
  • What do parents/carers do?
  • What does volunteering mean?

What we’ll do:

  • Explore different jobs and why they are important.
  • Role-play jobs like dentist, builder, shopkeeper, and firefighter.
  • Invite parents to share their job experiences.
  • Learn about volunteering and take part in acts of service like tidying or litter picking.
  • Use construction kits to design and build places of work.

Key Texts:

  • What Do Grown-Ups Do All Day?
  • All Through the Night
  • The Invisible – Tom Percival
  • What We’ll Build – Oliver Jeffers

Vocabulary:
Community, job, volunteer, build, design, day, night.

Project 3: Winter Weather & Celebrations

Big Questions:

  • What do you expect to see in winter?
  • Why do we celebrate?

What we’ll do:

  • Learn about seasonal changes and signs of winter.
  • Compare autumn and winter through outdoor walks and observations.
  • Explore winter celebrations like Christmas and Hannukah.
  • Create winter-inspired art and decorations.

Key Texts:

  • I Love the Season – Winter
  • Celebrations Around the World – Christmas & Hannukah

Vocabulary:
Winter, Christmas, Hannukah, weather, temperature, decorations.

How Parents Can Support

  • Share photos of family celebrations or jobs in the community.
  • Talk about winter changes and celebrations at home.
  • Read stories together about festivals and community helpers.
  • Encourage children to notice signs of winter on walks.