The best learning often starts with a moment that captures children’s curiosity. In the International Primary Curriculum, this is called an Entry Point. It is a practical, engaging launch to a new unit that helps learners feel interested, confident and ready to learn. Year 3 began their new IPC unit, Footprints from the Past, with an Entry Point that brought the topic to life. Learners became young palaeontologists, excavating “fossils” and examining what they found. They worked carefully, spoke thoughtfully with one another and recorded their discoveries. The classroom was full of excitement, focus and purposeful teamwork.

Entry Points are more than a fun activity. They give children a shared experience to refer back to as the unit develops. A strong start like this helps learners build subject vocabulary, ask better questions and make links across the curriculum. It also supports key skills such as communication, collaboration and careful observation. Just as importantly, Entry Points help every child take part. When learning begins with something concrete and memorable, children can contribute ideas from the start, whatever their prior knowledge. This creates momentum and a strong sense of belonging in the classroom.

We were proud of Year 3’s enthusiasm and the care they showed during the excavation. It was a powerful reminder of what we value as a school: learning that is active, meaningful and designed to spark imagination.