The Spirit of Duncombe was born as a result of the first lockdown in 2020. Overnight children were having to familiarise themselves with their new and very different learning workspace. Parents developed the alter egos of Miss Honey and Mr Peterson (apologies to Roald Dahl and David Tennant), to encourage and support their children’s remote learning, some whilst trying to work from home themselves!
Wellbeing was and remains an important focus here at Duncombe School. When traditional weekend plans of days out and meeting friends and family remained on hold, Team Duncombe developed, created, filmed, and edited a programme of enrichment activities for our children and the wider community to enjoy.
The Spirit of Duncombe, boasts a range of masterclasses, from imaginative reading sessions with our 2019-2021 Patron of Reading, children’s author Alice Hemming, to sporting sessions with our ex-professional football and rugby PE staff.
Delivering inspiring and enriching learning opportunities for children is at the heart of Treetops Pre-School and Duncombe School. Team Duncombe are very passionate about bringing learning to life in unique ways and The Spirit of Duncombe captures this perfectly.
Welcome to The Spirit of Duncombe, enjoy!
Storytime with Alice Hemming for Treetops Pre-School.
Join Alice Hemming, Duncombe’s Patron of Reading for a reading of her popular children’s story ‘Bibble and the Bubbles’.
Then grab your craft boxes and join in the challenge Alice sets at the end.
Click here for more details about our creative writing exhibition.
A recital with Alice Hemming for Lower School.
Get comfortable and ready to listen to an excerpt from Alice Hemmings, our Patron of Reading’s novel Rickety Rocket.
Then let your imagination take over and join in Alice’s challenge.
Click here for more details about our creative writing exhibition.
A recital with Alice Hemming for Upper School.
Let’s dream of a faraway land, whilst our Patron of Reading, Alice Hemming, shares an excerpt of novel ‘The Forbidden Box’.
After the reading, test your creative writing skills and join in Alice’s challenge.
Click here for more details about our creative writing exhibition.
Afternoon storytime for all of Duncombe and Treetops Pre-School.
Hello to Mo O’Hara, children’s author and a new friend to Duncombe.
Join Mo and Forest the cat for a story about ‘The Fintastic Fishsitter’ and take part in Mo’s creative writing challenge.
Click here for more details about our creative writing exhibition.
Forest School for Treetops and Year 1 with Team Duncombe's Mrs Lee.
Have you got your welly boots and coat on? Are you ready for an adventure with Mrs Lee?
Let’s go off into the garden and explore. Don’t forget your bucket as you will need something to put your collection in.
Click here for more details about our creative arts exhibition.
Forest School for Years 2 & 3 with Team Duncombe's Mrs Lee.
We’re going on a Mini Beast hunt, are you ready for an adventure with Mrs Lee?
Before you go outside make sure you have your Mini Beast hunting kit, a note pad and pen … just in case!
Click here for more details about our creative arts exhibition.
Forest School for Years 4, 5 & 6 with Team Duncombe's Mrs Lee.
Join Mrs Lee on a Forest School adventure, taking you both in and outside the classroom.
These activities will have you testing your senses, so grab a paper and pen and then get ready to put your ICT skills into practice
Click here for more details about our creative arts exhibition.
Creating a masterpiece with Team Duncombes, Cynthia Stroud BEM.
Click here and follow the recipe of professional baker, Cynthia Stroud’s BEM Red Velvet sponge cake.
Then join her for a decorating masterclass and learn how to give your cake the WOW factor!
Send us a picture of your masterpiece for our exhibition. Click here for more details.
A recital with Robin Stevens for Upper School.
Hello to Robin Stevens, children’s author and a new friend to Duncombe.
Pop your detective hat on and join Robin for an excerpt from her first book, ‘Murder Most Unladylike’.
Click here for more details about our creative writing exhibition.
A Team Duncombe Disney workout
Do you want to escape to a ‘world new world’ or maybe you’re training to be Buss Lightyear?
Either way why join Miss Heald for Team Duncombe Disney workout.
A training session with Mr Granville
Join Mr Granville for the next installment of his professional training sessions.
Today we’re going to be working on our eye co-ordination techniques.
The power of strength with Mr Storey
Strength is of key importance when you are a sportsperson.
Enjoy a training session with Mr Storey and learn some professional tactics.
Music at the Heart of Duncombe with Team Duncombe’s, Mrs Sutton.
Become a writer, whilst using your ICT skills to discover fascinating facts about musicians, past or present.
Take a look at Mrs Suttons unique biography for John Williams, then create a biography about a composer of your choice.
Click here for more details about our music exhibition.
Creative storytime with Alice Hemming for Treetops Pre-School.
Let your imagination run wild, as Alice Hemming, Duncombe’s Patron of Reading reads her book ‘Sheep on the run’ to you.
Then take part in Alice’s challenge, get your thinking caps on and with arts and crafts create your own runaway sheep.
Click here for more details about our creative arts exhibition.
Making Maths fun with Team Duncombe’s, Mrs Takawira.
True or false, you can use playing cards to have fun with Maths?
It’s true and Mrs Takawira is going to show you how, with the card game ‘War’.
The masterclass is for suitable for children from Nursery, right the way through the school to Year 6. So grab yourself some playing cards and join in.
Let’s have a labtotastic time with Team Duncombe’s, Prof.
No need to have goggles for this experiment, but you may get a little wet!
Set up your own labtotastic lab station at home and learn all about the water cycle, through a simple but fun experiment with Prof.
Share your results with Prof, click here for details about our exhibition.
A crafty Music masterclass, with Team Duncombe’s, Mrs Sutton.
Ever thought about setting up your own rock band? What instrument would you play?
How about the drums? Follow Mrs Sutton’s step by step guide to making your very own unique homemade drum kit.
Click here for more details about exhibition, where you could share your work.
A recital with children’s author, Ruth Fitzgerald for Main School
Hello to Ruth Fitzgerald, children’s author and a new friend to Duncombe.
Grab a cup of tea with Ruth, get comfortable and listen to a recital from her first book, ‘Emily Sparkes and the Friendship Fiasco.
Click here for more details about our creative writing exhibition
The Spirit of Duncombe THE ALBUM with Team Duncombe’s, Mrs Sutton.
What music helps you relax, stay motivated and let out all your feelings at the moment?
Take a look at Mrs Sutton’s playlist and createyour own for our Spirit of Duncombe album.
Let’s lose ourselves in the music, but let’s do this the Team Duncombe way and build something wonderful together.
Click here for details about our music exhibition.
A recital with children’s author, Ruth Fitzgerald for Main School
Hello again to Ruth Fitzgerald, children’s author and a new friend to Duncombe.
Ruth has come back to read another excerpt from her first book, ‘Emily Sparkes and the Friendship Fiasco.
Don’t forget to join in the imaginative party planning task Ruth has set at the end for you.
Click here for more details about our creative writing exhibition.
Say hello to your grandparents with Team Duncombe’s, Mrs Copeman.
Mog is everyone’s favourite family cat! Join Mrs Copeman and find out what Mog gets up to on her holiday at Granny’s house.
Next let’s add in some role play, where you become a budding artist and a reporter to find out more about your grandparents.
Click here for your interview questions and templates and click here for details about our exhibition.
A multi ball skills masterclass with Team Duncombe’s professional sportsmen.
Whether you’re a scrum-half, defender or a wicket-keeper, you will not want to miss this masterclass.
Join Mr Storey, Mr Granville and Mr Sims for a rugby, football and cricket balls skills masterclass.
Listening ears on and pay attention, remember they are professionals!
Taking a walk with Team Duncombe’s, Miss Sands.
Join Miss Sands for a virtual walk and chat, whist she walks around Hertford for some daily exercise.
Why not write Miss Sands a letter or send a video and share where you have been on your walks and what you have seen.
Click here for more details about our creative writing exhibition.
A netball masterclass with Team Duncombe’s Mrs Johnson and Co.
Fancy joining Mrs Johnson, Mrs Price and Mrs Page for a netball masterclass? Then get your trainers on!
This masterclass will keep you on your toes practicing netball skills, ready for those matches when we are back together.
If you’ve never played netball before, give it a go!
A recital with Alice Hemming for Lower School
Sit under the tree in the garden and join Alice for a recital of her book, ‘Best Vest Quest’
Then let your imagination take over and join in Alice’s challenge, to create your own quest and star character.
Click here for more details about our creative writing exhibition.
A recital with Alice Hemming for Upper School
Are you comfortable? Yes, great! Then let’s join Alice for an excerpt from her book Arlo, Mrs Ogg and the Dinosaur Zoo.
After the reading, test your creative writing skills and join in Alice’s challenge.
Click here for more details about our creative writing.
A recital with children’s author, Ruth Fitzgerald for Main School.
Join Ruth for another chapter from her first book, ‘Emily Sparkes and the Friendship Fiasco’.
At the end, why not join in the ‘tour guide’ task Ruth has set for you?
Click here for more details about our creative writing exhibition.
A recital with children’s author, Ruth Fitzgerald for Main School.
Hello again to Ruth Fitzgerald, children’s author and friend of Duncombe.
The story of ‘Emily Sparkes and the Friendship Fiasco’ continues as Ruth reads the next chapter of her book.
Ruth has chosen to set you a research project as your task for this masterclass. After all, writing and research work hand in hand!
Click here for more details about our creative writing exhibition.
A recital with children’s author, Ruth Fitzgerald for Main School.
Hello again to Ruth Fitzgerald, children’s author and friend of Duncombe.
Join Ruth for the final recital from her first book, ‘Emily Sparkes and the Friendship Fiasco’.
Once again, Ruth has set a task at the end and one of our other masterclasses might come in useful.
Click here for more details about our photography exhibition.
A recital and song from children’s author, Mo O’Hara.
You are in for treat with this masterclass, from Mo O’Hara!
Not only is Forest joining Mo again, but as well as a recital of her book ‘Romeosauraus and Juliet Rex’, Mo is also going to play you a song, on her … you’ll have to wait and see!
On top of this once again Mo has a range of art challenges for you.
Click here for more details about our creative art exhibition.
Team Duncombe's Bedtime Story, just for you.
Are you ready for bed? Have you brushed your teeth?
Wonderful, then let us introduce Team Duncombe’s first ever bedtime story.
Goodnight, Team Duncombe
When dreams come true, a ballet masterclass.
Hello to Will Davolls, a student at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham.
At 10 years old, Will had a dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer. Now 16 years old, his dream is becoming a reality.
Join Mr Sopher interviewing Will and take part in Will’s ballet masterclass.
Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of VE Day
What is VE Day all about and how can I get involved?
Team Duncombe have created a short synopsis about why we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of VE Day and how even though we are in lockdown, we can still celebrate.
Team Duncombe's Second Bedtime Story.
Due to popular demand, we are pleased to share with you another bedtime story from Team Duncombe.
Snuggle down, relax and enjoy.
Team Duncombe xx
Virtual Financial Capability Week 8th-12th June
Throughout ‘Financial Capability Week’, the children will take part in a range of fun and engaging cross-curricular activities.
We look forward to seeing your result.
Enjoy!
Revolting Rhymes, Team Duncombe Year 6
Let’s get this Year 6 takeover started with a little bit of theatre!
Grab a cup of tea and enjoy our performance of Revolting Rhymes from Roald Dahl.
Enjoy, Team Duncombe Year 6
How to draw a 3D staircase, Team Duncombe Year 6
Have you ever wondered how to draw a staircase in 3D?
Wonder no more and learn how to with this video masterclass and supporting instructions.
Enjoy, Team Duncombe Year 6
Create your own puppet show, Team Duncombe Year 6
Move over Britain’s Got Talent, there’s a new show in town!
Create your own puppet show and put on performance for your family.
Enjoy Team Duncombe, Year 6
Bring your favourite characters to life, Team Duncombe, Year 6
Do you enjoy drawing? Well this masterclass is made for you then.
Join in and find out how to bring your favourite comic book characters to life.
Enjoy Team Duncombe, Year 6
It's Magic! Team Duncombe, Year 6
Have you ever watched a magic trick and thought WOW, I wish I could do that!
Well now you can. Let us show you a magic that will amaze people.
Enjoy, Team Duncombe
The perfect serve, Team Duncombe Year 6
Everyone loves to improve their skills.
Why not up your tennis game and learn how to perfect your serve.
Enjoy Team Duncombe, Year 6
Faces, faces and more faces! Team Duncombe, Year 6
Take part in this masterclass and learn how to draw a variety of faces.
Maybe write a story and bring your faces to life?
Enjoy, Team Duncombe Year 6
A final bedtime story from us, Team Duncombe Year 6
We have a special treat for you tonight.
Team Duncombe’s Library Captain, is going to read you one of her favourite bedtime stories
Snuggle down and enjoy, Team Duncombe Year 6
A little baby shark anyone?
A workout doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo,
With Mrs Jonston doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Let’s all workout doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
With baby shark!
Step to the beat
Can you beat Mr Sopher’s daily workout challenge?
Come on get your trainers on and beat him at his own challenge.
The Crayons are BACK!!!
What a year!
Due to huge demand far and wide, Team Duncombe have taken on their crayon personas again.
Join Team Duncomben for our Christmas Bedtime Story 2020.
A Team Duncombe Professional Football Masterclass
Team Duncombe’s Sports Masterclasses are back!
We’re kicking off with a beginners ‘Step-Over Masterclass’ from Mr Granville.
A technic that he used on many players, including Cristiano Ronaldo when he played in the Premier League for Crystal Palace.
A Team Duncombe Professional Football Masterclass
Mr Granville is sharing all the professional secrets.
If you’ve mastered Mr Granville’s ‘Step-Over Masterclass’ for beginners, then why not try the advanced class.
Perfect your technique and wow your friends when you’re back on the pitch.
A Team Duncombe Professional Rugby Masterclass
Have you always liked the look of rugby, but never quite managed to get to a training session?
Well look no further. Join Team Duncombe’s Mr Storey, an ex-professional rugby player and let him guide you through a professional training session.
Team Duncombe’s Mr Storey's Coordination Masterclass
Whether you are throwing the ball in the garden or playing a professional match, hand-eye coordination is an extremely important part of rugby.
Join Team Duncombe’s Mr Storey, for a Hand-Eye Coordination Masterclass, full of challenging activities.
Team Duncombe's Lego Week
From Monday 25th – Thursday 28th January 2021, we are hosting our very first ‘Team Duncombe Lego Week’ a programme that is totally SCREEN FREE!
View our dedicated webpage for more information on the daily challenges, designed for our children based on their ages and details on our competition.
Bananaman is BACK!
Join Team Dunncombe’s Mr Sopher for our daily workout.
Are you ready, then let’s go!
Ohh ohhh put yourhands in the air!
Move over Joe Wicks, there’s a Pricey workout in town.
There ain’t no party like a Pricey party.
Barn Dance with Team Duncombe
Are you ready to grapevine?
Then you’re ready to join the Team Duncombe Barn Dance
Get ready to twist!
It’s our favourite time of the week. Are you ready to twist???
Then let’s get started and twist away with the Morely Meister.
Take a dinosaur journey with Mr Storey
How many dinosaurs ahev you seen on Hartham Common lately?
Join Mr Storey for a dino workout and see how many you can spot together.
A workout with Buddy and Mr Granville
Mr Granville has a new teammate, welcome to Team Duncombe, Buddy.
Let’s see if Buddy has what it takes.
After school workout with Mr Storey
Home from school and still full of beans?
Why not join Mr Storey for a quick workout.
A full body workout with Mr Granville
Get your body moving with Mr Granville’s 5 stage activity workout.
It’s suitable for everyone, so jump in and give it ago.
It's all about your wellbeing
Wellbeing is a huge focus of ours and something we are very passionate about.
Team Duncombe has created a fun wellbeing calendar for all the family, which we are delighted to share with you.
Team Duncombe Book Week 2021
Welcome to our virtual Book Week 2021
We have some exciting activities to share with you across the week that can be enjoyed at home.
But to kick off the week, enjoy a poem recital from #TeamDuncombe
