Children at Norton Infant School, part of XP Trust, have spent this term exploring a powerful idea: that heroism doesn’t belong to stories or films, but to the people who quietly care for others every day across Doncaster.
Through their Key Stage 1 project, Not All Heroes Wear Capes: How can I be a hero where I live?, pupils in Year 1 and 2 were challenged to look closely at their own community and to ask thoughtful questions about responsibility, kindness and service. The project was rooted in Doncaster itself, turning the town into a living classroom and giving children meaningful opportunities to learn from real people doing real work.
Throughout the project, pupils met Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, who spoke with the children about leadership, decision-making and the importance of working for the common good. They also met Ed Miliband, who helped pupils understand how choices made locally and nationally can shape families, communities and the future of the environment.
Children developed a deeper understanding of civic life through conversations with David Milnes and Jackie Dudley, learning how care, tradition and responsibility play a role in making Doncaster a welcoming place for everyone.
Health and wellbeing formed an important strand of the learning. Pupils met Dr Steph Teanby-Clark, a local GP, who spoke about caring for people at every stage of life and the trust involved in supporting families and communities. This understanding was deepened through work with Starting Point, where children learned about homelessness in Doncaster and the compassion required to support people through difficult circumstances.
Moved by this learning, the children chose to take action themselves. After learning about food poverty, pupils worked closely with Askern CRY Foodbank, organising a march through Norton with carefully designed pop-art placards to raise awareness and collect donations. This act of service helped children connect their learning to real needs within their community.
The project also gave children space to explore courage, resilience and remembrance. Meeting local veteran Ben Parkinson helped pupils understand that heroism can involve strength, perseverance and sacrifice. Their learning was further enriched through work with the Victoria Cross Trust, which supported pupils to understand why remembering those who have served is an important responsibility shared across generations.
Creativity and academic rigour ran alongside this work. Children worked with local author and illustrator Phil Sheppard, developing their skills in storytelling and illustration while celebrating Doncaster’s people and places. Through writing, art and discussion, pupils learned to communicate their ideas with clarity, care and purpose.
Mia, a pupil in Year 1 said “I enjoyed meeting all the visitors who taught us how to help people and be kind.”
The project culminated in a museum-style gallery and an ‘Annual’ book, shared with the local heroes who had supported the learning. Pupils also made personal pledges about how they would act as heroes in their own homes and neighbourhoods, recognising that small, thoughtful actions matter.
“This Learning Expedition showed our children that learning can make a real difference. By celebrating Doncaster’s everyday heroes, they learned to value kindness, service and responsibility – and to see themselves as capable of making positive change.” – Andrea Tunney, Headteacher.
At XP Trust, learning is designed to be academically rigorous, deeply human and rooted in place. For the children of Norton Infant School, this project helped them grow not only in knowledge and skill, but in empathy, confidence and a sense of belonging – learning that heroism starts close to home.
