As part of the Cornerstones Topics, the Red Area pupils take part in an Innovate Stage — a key opportunity for them to apply what they have learnt in creative and practical ways. It’s a time for exploring, problem-solving, collaborating, and thinking independently through engaging, open-ended challenges.
We’re delighted to share just how imaginative and inspiring the Innovate Stage was in the Lower School at the end of Spring 2. Each class tackled a unique mission, drawing on their knowledge and skills — and the results were absolutely fantastic!
Robins – Bright Lights, Big City
During Spring 2, Robins explored the vibrant sights and rich history of our capital city, London. They learnt about iconic landmarks, transport systems, the Royal Family, and key historical events that have shaped the city.
For their Innovate challenge, the children received a special message from Marley the Meerkat, who had travelled all the way from Zambia and needed help planning a sightseeing tour of London. Pupils created imaginative itineraries, suggested travel routes, and confidently shared facts about major attractions. Marley would have been thrilled with the thoughtful, creative plans they produced!
Woodpeckers – Gods and Mortals
Woodpeckers were immersed in the world of Ancient Greece, discovering its culture, mythology, and legendary figures.
Their Innovate challenge began with an intriguing twist: a sealed box marked “Do not open”. This sparked rich discussions, moral debates, and storytelling as pupils speculated about what might be inside. The children’s creative writing and imaginative responses demonstrated a deep understanding of the topic—and some impressively daring ideas!
Owls – Beast Creator
Owls explored the fascinating world of minibeasts, habitats, and food chains, delving into animal adaptations and ecological relationships.
In their Innovate challenge, pupils were asked to stop a super aphid threatening crops across the UK by designing a new creature through selective breeding. The class responded with brilliant creativity — developing detailed clay models, models out of different materials and illustrations of their “super minibeasts,” all supported by strong scientific reasoning and knowledge of life cycles and environments.
We are incredibly proud of how every pupil engaged with their Innovate challenge. These tasks captured the very best of purposeful, creative learning—and it was wonderful to see such enthusiasm, independence, and pride in every classroom.
