Dragon last seen escaping from Bentley West Primary School

Black Country (BCCSIP)

It has been an exciting term at Bentley West Primary School. Several weeks ago, teachers and children were amazed to find that something had laid a giant egg overnight in a nest in some trees on the school playing field. After discovery, the egg was placed in an incubator and in-depth research began in an attempt to identify its origins and contents. Luckily, the school was able to enlist the help of writer and illustrator Steve Smallman who immediately consulted his friend, Prof. Arthur Potts from Cambridge University, Senior Lecturer in Crypto-zoology.

Project objectives

Pupils immediately began to investigate the egg, learning about reptiles, dinosaurs and birds. They worked independently, at home and at school, producing their own theories as to the origin of the egg and recording their discoveries in writing and drawings. Lessons across the curriculum came to life with children desperate to learn more and solve the mystery of the egg.

Who was involved?

The project impacted on pupils across the whole school.

Impact

Steve Smallman continued to visit classes throughout the school encouraging the children to explore their ideas through writing and drawing. Over time, the egg began to change.

The children’s observational skills picked up the appearance of blue-green patches on the egg’s surface and although some suggested that this was mould, many believed it was a sign that the egg was about to hatch. Year 6 pupils suggested that they could use the class Lego robots’ sensors to monitor the egg at night, hoping to pick up the sound of movement within. The children were astonished in assembly the next morning when they saw that something in the egg had apparently been moving during the night.

A few days later the children watched in amazement as Steve Smallman and Mr. Caddick, Creative Partnerships coordinator, showed them video footage of the hatching. What appeared to be a baby dragon emerged, sneezed on the camera and then escaped through an open window. Both Mr. Caddick and Mr. Smallman were severely reprimanded by Headteacher Mrs. Dee Brigstock for letting the creature go, so much so that for the rest of the day children wondered if Mr. Caddick still had his job.

Results

Literacy coordinator Laura Broomhall described the children’s writing as the best she had seen them produce. The project has proved that well planned and executed creative interventions can have a significant impact on whole school engagement in learning. Bentley West Primary School are extremely grateful to Steve Smallman for bringing the project idea to staff and for allowing them to work with him to bring it to life.