On Tuesday the 25th of February,Class 3 went on a trip to Wildwood escot. 

While at Wildwood Escot, class 3 pupils were able to dress up like they would in Anglo Saxon times (this included wearing war paint!). Pupils took part in making bread just like in the Anglo Saxon era. The way bread was made was a fascinating experience for the pupils. They made the flour by hand,they used a flour grinder and had to twist it by hand.  Class 3 were able to make a copper brooch,this was used to fasten clothing. They created mallets by hammering metal into the shape.

Class 3 saw some cool things on their visit, for example they saw a compost toilet! These were very eco-friendly.                                                        While at Wildwood Escot,The saw multiple animals and wildlife, they go as the following :

• Wolves
• Wild cats
• Peacocks
• Wild boar

Class 3 created a sign saying : Witheridge Academy. Pupils were able to see a stone, bronze and  iron age hut.

By Ebony

On  Friday the 31st of January, class 4 had the opportunity to go to Chepstow Castle.

Chepstow Castle is located on the edge of Wales in Monmouthshire. Chepstow Castle is the oldest post-Roman fortification. Built in 1067 Ad, Chepstow was a Norman fortress along the winding River Wye. It was built 1 year after the Battle of Hastings by Earl William FitzObsbern – The first earl of Hereford, after  permission from William The Conqueror. Whilst building, there was a secret door somewhere around the perimeter. The upper bailey was originally built by the Normans and was then added to by the Tudor era. The Tudors built the lower bailey.  

Did You Know ?

During a civil war,  one of the  walls was knocked down and was then rebuilt with a diagonal pillar on both sides and metal wires to maximise the possibility of it not falling down.

The toilets were mainly on the right side as the waste would fall down into the the river.

Musket holes and arrow slits were used to defend the castle. it was difficult to let arrows in but easy for them to go out.

Throughout the day, class 4 went on a self-guided tour. We saw the original doors which were very well preserved. All of the castle grounds were incredibly. We ate lunch in the magnificent  courtyard. During the afternoon, class 4 did some artwork. we were focusing on the work of Has Holbein. We  all chose a specific area in the courtyard and sketched it out. We focused on the line work like Hans Holbeins ‘dance of Death’. Some people drew the Great doors, others the windows and just the brick work around the area.  Unfortuately  there was work in some of the castle so we were unable to go further in. 

We ended the day with scaling the perimeter (we even climbed the massive hill and some people tripped coming down!)

Everybody in class 4 was exceptionally grateful for the opportunity we had. Everybody had great fun throughout the entire (and very long) day.