Youngsters take the Roman road
Pupils build amphitheatre
Primary 4 pupils enjoy building their own wee empire
Pupils at a West Lothian school stepped back in time and built their own piece of history before the summer break.
Primary four youngsters at Pumpherston and Uphall Station Community Primary built an amphitheatre to tie in with the Roman topic they have been studying this year.
The school undertook the project due to the success of a similar project last year which saw them build a Celtic roundhouse.
The building scheme also involved archaeologist Sarah-Jane Haston, who is a parent and friend of the school.
Emma McLaughlin, teacher, said: “The project was linked to our topic in the first term around the Romans. We had been on a trip to the Callendar House to see the Antonine Wall and decided to recreate it in our playground. We then built on this and combine it with elements of a Roman Amphitheatre.
“So, we decided to include a stage and planned to build a Roman amphitheatre that could also be used as an outdoor classroom.
“We thought about what Roman structures we have in Scotland and built a section of the Antonine Wall in the playground. We then decided to build on this and combine it with elements of a Roman Amphitheatre, having looked at the Colosseum.
“Because the amphitheatre/ outdoor classroom was built within the school grounds this time, we have been able to ensure it is kept safe and not subject to damage. Unfortunately, our roundhouse no longer stands because of vandalism out of school hours.”
The school began construction of the amphitheatre with help from local businesses donating materials, including Henry Gillies Contractors Ltd, Crummock and Rocks off Gravel of Longridge.
Parents and friends were invited to the school for an open day in June to see the youngsters’ handiwork.
They had the chance to see the children march out dressed as Romans, with helmets, shields and the Roman standard of their own Legion.
And parents were taken around by their child to take part in archaeological digs, practise Roman writing on a wax tablet, look at artefacts and even taste foods that the Romans introduced to Scotland.
Emma McLaughlin added: “By doing these projects both Sarah-Jane and I feel that the children are learning more about the Celts and Romans than they would have with classroom-based studies.
“The children love being outside and it is so good for them to learn about the local area and to be proud of something that they have built themselves from the resources that we have around us in West Lothian.”
And the success of last
We built a section of Antonine Wall Emma, teacher