School life is about much more than what happens in lessons. Throughout the year, we welcome visitors into school and hold special events that bring children, families and the wider community together.

These include our Grandparents’ Day, Macmillan Coffee Afternoon, May Procession and celebrations linked to the life of the Church. We also arrange workshops and visits that give children new experiences, such as Restart a Heart, Zoolab, Samba workshops, visiting performers and themed curriculum days. Our May Procession is a long-standing part of the Catholic life of English Martyrs and provides an opportunity for the whole school community to honour Mary together.

Events such as Grandparents’ Day and our Macmillan afternoon help children understand that they are part of a community beyond their own classroom. They give families the chance to join us in school, celebrate together and support causes that make a difference to others. Practical workshops, including Restart a Heart, help children develop useful skills, confidence and an awareness of how they can help someone else.

The programme changes from year to year, but we are always looking for opportunities that will broaden children’s experiences, support their wellbeing and create lasting memories. Some events are about learning a new skill, some are about living out our faith and serving others, and some are simply about bringing everyone together and enjoying being part of English Martyrs Catholic Primary School.

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Kapla Workshop - September 2026

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The whole school had great fun taking part in a KAPLA workshop. Using thousands of wooden planks, with no glue or clips, the children created an enormous and gravity-defying build. Along the way, they explored balance, forces, shape and 3D construction, while developing their creativity, concentration and patience.

Each class created a different part of the final display. What made it so much fun was that the children didn't know what the finished structure was going to look like, but they all had an important part to play.  There was a real sense of excitement as the build grew throughout the day, children were peeking through the hall windows to see how their work fitted alongside everyone else’s.

The day ended with a parade so that the whole school could see what we had achieved together, and our youngest children were awestruck by Year 6's 'Tower of Pisa' that was taller than the teachers!  After parents and carers had been in to look, we had a grand demolition and tidy up ... which many of the children thought was the best bit of all.

It was also a lovely way to explore what belonging means at English Martyrs. The children worked together, helped when someone was struggling and appreciated what others had made. Everyone contributed something and, by the end, they had created something that no class could have achieved on its own.

This is what some of the children said afterwards:

     "Teamwork is important and we all played a part." - Annabelle

     "I felt really motivated and I didn't want to quit." - Oli

     "Hard work pays off." - Enzo

     "I learnt that we had to depend on each other to make it work." - Erin

     "I learnt that you should always help your friends by believing they can do their best." - Florence

It was a fantastic way to start the new school year together!