Year 6 recently brought their Science topic on the Human Body to an exciting and memorable conclusion with a hands-on heart dissection workshop. We were delighted to welcome Mr Owens and Mr Southam from KA Bay House School, who led a series of engaging sessions that gave pupils a unique opportunity to explore the anatomy of the heart up close.

Throughout the workshops, the children learned about the different chambers of the heart and the important role each one plays in pumping blood around the body. They discovered how the aorta carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body, while the pulmonary veins return oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart. Pupils also learned that the word *pulmonary* relates to the lungs, helping them make important links between different parts of the circulatory system.

One of the most fascinating discoveries was seeing the difference between the walls of the heart chambers. The children learned that the left side of the heart has a much thicker muscular wall because it must generate enough force to pump blood all the way around the body. Being able to observe this directly helped bring their classroom learning to life.

During the dissections, pupils carefully identified the heart valves and were amazed to find the strong ligaments that attach the valves to the heart wall. They learned about the vital role valves play in ensuring blood flows in the correct direction and preventing it from flowing backwards.

The workshop inspired a great deal of fascination and curiosity, as well as a certain amount of bravery. Handling and investigating a real heart was a new experience for many pupils, but Year 6 approached the challenge with enthusiasm, maturity and respect. Mr Owens and Mr Southam commented on how brilliantly the children conducted themselves and how wholeheartedly they embraced the learning opportunity.

This practical experience was a fantastic way to conclude the Human Body topic, allowing pupils to deepen their understanding through first-hand investigation. It was a memorable and enriching experience that will undoubtedly stay with them for many years to come. We would like to thank Mr Owens and Mr Southam for giving our Year 6 pupils such an inspiring insight into the wonders of the human heart.