Lyndhurst Junior School pupils in Portsmouth dress as rock stars to help home learning

ROCKING children put the riff into arithmetic on a day to boost learning at home.
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Youngsters and staff at Lyndhurst Junior School in North End dressed as rock stars for the day to launch the Times Tables Rock Star initiative, an online learning platform which allows collaborative learning whether pupils are at home or in school.

As well as being able to dress up as their favourite music artists, pupils can create a virtual rock star character who provides messages of support as children progress through their times tables.

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Year 4 pupil Elsie Kerr, 8, who was in school for the launch, said: ‘I really enjoyed dressing up as a rock star and taking part in the online games. It was an exciting way to learn my times tables and I’m looking forward to also being able to take part at home.’

George and William Aldred age 8 and 10. William said that taking part in the event made him feel like he was 'still part of the school'.George and William Aldred age 8 and 10. William said that taking part in the event made him feel like he was 'still part of the school'.
George and William Aldred age 8 and 10. William said that taking part in the event made him feel like he was 'still part of the school'.

Year 3 pupil, George Woollaston-Skinner, who is at home, added: ‘The times tables rock stars is so much fun. I want to win lots of coins and be able to buy a guitar.’

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With many children struggling with the isolation of lockdown, teachers at the school hope the learning platform, which allows pupils to compete against each other remotely, will help children to ‘feel connected’ to their teachers and friends in school. The launch saw teachers and students decked out in a range of multi-coloured wigs, sunglasses and an array of inflatable guitars.

The initiative was co-ordinated by assistant headteacher Kerri Pycroft.

Lyndhurst Junior School teachers Emma Bannister-Palmer and Kerri Pycroft. Lyndhurst Junior School teachers Emma Bannister-Palmer and Kerri Pycroft.
Lyndhurst Junior School teachers Emma Bannister-Palmer and Kerri Pycroft.
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Mrs Pycroft, who had an 80s Madonna theme to her costume, said: ‘The rock star theme and getting dressed up is a way of getting pupils engaged in their learning. Engagement is really important during lockdown and the platform allows children at home to still feel part of the school and to work alongside friends who may be in school or learning from home.’

It’s a sentiment shared by headteacher Ali Beechurst who added: ‘Any maths teacher will also tell you that children knowing their times table is such an important part in providing a foundation in the subject.’

Dressing up and taking part in the launch certainly seemed to allow brothers George and William Aldred feel connected to the school.

Year 4 pupils (left to right) Sienna Gaston and Elsie Kerr, both 8. Both pupils said the event made it an exciting way to learn their times tables.Year 4 pupils (left to right) Sienna Gaston and Elsie Kerr, both 8. Both pupils said the event made it an exciting way to learn their times tables.
Year 4 pupils (left to right) Sienna Gaston and Elsie Kerr, both 8. Both pupils said the event made it an exciting way to learn their times tables.

William, 10, said: ‘It felt really good dressing up and like I’m still part of the school, although I didn’t enjoy wearing the hair gel. The rock star challenges made maths really fun.’

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With many parents across the region struggling to juggle work commitments and home learning the venture had the approval of William’s mum, Emma Aldred.

Emma said: ‘From my perspective as a mum it was brilliant to see the home schooling was just the same as the boys would receive at school and it’s so easy to use.’

The Times Tables Rock Stars is a national platform which also allows schools to compete against each other.

Lyndhurst Junior School teachers (left to right) Jeanette Van-Wyk, Sara Hadley, Julie Phillips and Sue Rodriguez dressed as rock stars for the day.Lyndhurst Junior School teachers (left to right) Jeanette Van-Wyk, Sara Hadley, Julie Phillips and Sue Rodriguez dressed as rock stars for the day.
Lyndhurst Junior School teachers (left to right) Jeanette Van-Wyk, Sara Hadley, Julie Phillips and Sue Rodriguez dressed as rock stars for the day.

Mrs Beechurst added: ‘The week before half-term we are hoping to have an inter-school competition with Northern Parade Junior School.’

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