We had the wonderful opportunity to visit Barton St Lawrence Primary School near Preston to spend a session with their Year 5 class, and what a fantastic time we had! The classroom buzzed with excitement as we introduced a range of games designed to spark curiosity, challenge logic, and make learning fun.
Learning Through Play
Our goal for the session was simple: to show that games can be much more than entertainment. They can be powerful tools for learning, teamwork, and communication. The Year 5 pupils explored games that tested their maths skills, encouraged strategic thinking, and even stretched their creative problem-solving.
From quick-thinking number challenges to logic puzzles that required teamwork, every table had a hum of collaboration and laughter. It was wonderful to see how naturally the children applied their learning, calculating, predicting, reasoning, and explaining their choices as they played.
Writing in Action
But this wasn’t just about playing games. As part of the session, pupils were encouraged to take notes and think critically about each game they played. They were preparing to write their own reviews, considering what they enjoyed, what they found challenging, and how the games made them think.
This activity gave a real-world purpose to their writing. Instead of a typical classroom task, they were writing as real reviewers, reflecting on gameplay, fairness, enjoyment, and learning value. It was fantastic to see how focused they were on capturing their thoughts clearly, using expressive language and structured sentences to get their opinions across.
Children’s reviews:
The Benefits of Game-Based Learning
The session highlighted just how much learning can happen through play. Beyond the obvious fun, pupils were developing:
- Maths and logic skills – through strategic decision-making and problem-solving.
- Writing and reflection – by articulating opinions and using evidence from their experiences.
- Collaboration and communication – as they shared ideas, took turns, and worked as teams.
- Critical thinking – by analysing what makes a game enjoyable or effective.
It was a perfect example of how creative approaches can support the curriculum while keeping learning exciting and memorable.
Children’s reviews:
What the Pupils Said
At the end of the session, we asked the pupils to share their reviews and their responses were brilliant! Their feedback captured not only their enjoyment but also their developing ability to analyse and express opinions thoughtfully.
Children’s reviews:
A Big Thank You
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Barton St Lawrence, the pupils, and their teacher, for welcoming us so warmly and diving into the session with such enthusiasm. The pupils’ engagement and creativity truly made the session special.
Children’s reviews:
