The secrets of Ancient Greece unfolded in an educational trip to the British Museum for children from Chilton primary in Ramsgate.

The impressive exhibition helped the Year 5 team discover the culture and civilisation of the ancient Greeks. It explores what life in the city states of classical Greece was like and the role of religion in shaping how the Greeks saw themselves and their world.

                                 

                                          

A wide range of displays enabled pupils to explore what it meant to be a citizen of classical Athens, the sporting events of the ancient Olympic Games, the heroes and heroines of Greek mythology and the architecture of the Parthenon.

     

                                   

The trip forms part of their current learning topic Gods and Mortals which has already seen children investigate the origins of the Olympic Games and how it has developed and changed over the centuries. They also learnt about the Greek gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Athena, and Poseidon and why they were worshipped and revered; and then created their own top trump game cards based on them.

Deputy Head of School Hannah Cheshire said: “Educational visits such as the trip to the British Museum are extremely valuable as they help underpin what our children are learning in class – and seeing exhibits and displays first-hand really bring the subject vividly to life.”

In class, pupils are reading Greek myths from the Marcia Williams collection, writing a comic strip retelling a famous legend, exploring the adventures of Odysseus and creating a diary in his persona about his journey past the perilous sirens.

Pupils will consider how Ancient Greece made significant contributions to literature, with famous works such as the epic poems of Homer (Iliad and Odyssey) and the fables of Aesop.

They will look at a range of architectural structures such as the Parthenon and the Temple of Olympian, considering why they were constructed and the influence that they have had on modern architecture.

The year group is also learning that Ancient Greece had a strong emphasis on education and intellectual pursuits, with philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle making important contributions to philosophy and critical thinking.

Another part of the curriculum has been a class debate about which legacy from Ancient Greece times has been the most important - using democracy by voting for their favourite.

They are investigating how democracy began in the civilisation, where issues were discussed and then voted upon, and are comparing this to the idea of democracy in the western world.

Discussion about the importance of democracy will also include presentations about how it is used and why we need it in society today.

Chilton Primary is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate Arts Primary.

**For more information contact Head of School Alex McAuley on 01843 597695