Stunning Stained Glass

Children in Years 5 & 6 designed stunning stained glass windows as part of their assessment in RE.

They had to include symbols in their designs and explain their choices.

The designs attracted a lot of praise when they were on display on the windows of the school hall. This included the Rev. David Botterill, who had the difficult task of picking some award winners.

It is hoped to display the children's work in St. John's Church when the ongoing renovation work has been completed.

Top Performing School

UJS is in the top 12 per cent of schools in the country for English value added, according to figures just released by OFSTED. This is based on the progress made by Y6 children who took SAT test last summer from their results when they were tested four years earlier.

UJS also ranks in the top third of schools nationally for overall progress in English mathematics and science. Headteacher, Mr. McKechan, said, 'I'm delighted that the OFSTED data credits the progress made by the children in their four years here. It's fitting recognition for all the hard work put in by the children and their teachers to achieve such good results'.

UJS Open Monday as heating is fixed

Parents and Carers will be pleased to hear that School will be open as usual on Monday 28th November, now that the problem with the heating has been fixed. There had been no heat all day on Thursday and, with the prospect of another very cold day without any heat, the school had an emergency closure on Friday 25 November. Heat slowly started to return to UJS at 2pm on Friday as the replacement central heating pumps kicked in.

Union Dance move UJS

Children stayed after the end of school to show their moves to the whole group following a successful dance workshop. The activity was led by two dancers from London based Union Dance. This workshop was arranged for all Year 6 pupils on Portland as part of the Pyramid's anti-racism project.

2012 Olympics

A dozen UJS pupils, two from each class, attended the National Sailing Centre to hear whether London would be chosen to host the 2012 Olympics. The excitement of hearing of London's win at the base for the Olympic sailing was an unforgettable experience for all who were privileged enough to be there.

Y6 at Imperial War Museum

Gas mask drill

Gas mask drill
Originally uploaded by ujs.

Children in Years 5 & 6 experienced life as World War Two evacuees on their visit to the Nothe Fort. The children responded brilliantly and started their journey from school dressed as evacuees complete with name labels and gas mask boxes.

Viking Invasion

Viking Invasion
Originally uploaded by ujs.

Three Viking warriors brought history to life for children in Years 3 and 4 at Underhill School. The children enjoyed seeing and hearing about the Viking way of life as part of their history topic on Invaders.

Open Morning Success

A successful open morning on Wednesday 9th March saw 30 visitors look around Underhill school. The number of positive comments in the visitors' book showed how impressed the visitors were to see 'the classes hard at work' in a 'good atmosphere'. Children in Year 6 who guided the visitors around were praised by all as 'polite and informed guides' who were justly proud of their work and school.

Stream Dipping

Stream Dipping
Originally uploaded by ujs.

Stream dipping was one of many activities that engaged children in Years 5 and 6 on their visit to Sutton Poyntz Water Museum. This geography and science field trip was part of this term's project on water.

Tsunami Cake Sale

Tsunami Cake Sale
Originally uploaded by ujs.

A Cake Sale organised by two Year 6 pupils raised £79 for the Asian Tsunami appeal.
Queues for the cakes, which were supplied by the children and their families and friends, stretched the length of the school corridor.

Display_sk8_design

Display_sk8_design
Originally uploaded by ujs.

This colourful display of skateboard designs was done as part of a 'Family Learning' day at Weymouth College in collaboration with 'The Front Skatepark'.
Half a dozen of our pupils and their parents took part in the workshops. They learnt how to customise their decks and improved their own skateboarding with demonstrations and coaching.