Costumed children celebrated Ancient Greece in a special focus day at Chilton Primary in Ramsgate.

This included tasting Greek food including feta cheese, tzatziki and various traditional breads; learning and performing Greek dances; and taking part in their version of the Olympic Games.

The Year 5 group are studying a wide range of aspects of the heritage and culture of the Mediterranean civilisation from the 8th century BCE to the 6th century CE in their Gods and Mortals topic.

They have been studying the book Odysseus and have learnt about a number of Greek myths, investigated the origins of the Olympics and how it has developed and changed over the centuries. They are also learning about the Greek gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Athena, and Poseidon and why they were worshipped and revered.

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, and writing a newspaper report about his actions.

Significant contributions to developing democracy and literature are also being studied, together with understanding how architecture has influenced building through the centuries.

Learning also includes considering how much Ancient Greece influenced the development of the western world, and how the country initially comprised independent city-states, such as Athens and Sparta, each with its own government and culture.

Pupils are also finding out how the civilisation had a strong emphasis on education and intellectual pursuits, with philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle making important contributions to philosophy and critical thinking.

Deputy Head of School Hannah Cheshire said: “This is a magnificent period of history for our children to dig deep into and really discover the far-reaching influences that Ancient Greece has over the development of the world.”

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