Our Classes

Our Classes
Each of our classes is named after a famous person, landmark or historical event linked to Colchester.
 
 
EYFS
Chariot
Colchester has the only known chariot (track) circus in the North West of Europe. The track encompassed Abbey Fields and the Cavalry Barracks.
Jumbo
This class is named after the large water tower that has the nickname Jumbo and dominates the Colchester skyline.
Star
This class is named after the nursery rhyme Twinkle twinkle little star written by Jane Taylor from Colchester.
 
Year 1
Roses
North Essex and Colchester were major rose growing areas. This started with the Cant family in 1765.
Circus
Colchester has the only known chariot (track) circus in the North West of Europe. The Circus encompassed Abbey Fields and the Cavalry Barracks.
Eagles
A common symbol of Roman imperial rule. (Eddie the Eagle is Colchester United’s mascot.)
 
Year 2
Mercury
This class is named after the Mercury Theatre.
Claudius
First Roman Emperor of Briton; rode through Colchester (Camolodunum) on an elephant!
Romans
Colchester (Camolodunum) was the capital of Romano-Briton, the Romans.
 
Year3
Iceni
Boudicca’s tribe, who attacked the Roman town Camolodunum (Colchester) in c61AD and burnt it to the ground.
Dutch
In the 1600’s the population of East Anglia was doubled by Flemish religious refugees. In Colchester they brought their weaving skills with them and settled in the area west of the castle. This area became known as the Dutch Quarter.
Paxman
Named after the famous steam and diesel engine makers of Colchester.
 
Year 4
Castle
Named after the castle in Colchester, built by the Normans from the ruins of Claudius’ temple.
Cavalier
Named after the Royalists who occupied Colchester in the Civil War.
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now simply using as a base. Colchester is known as a Garrison Town because it has a military base.
 
Year 5
Magnets
William Gilberd, from Colchester, was the first person to write a book on magnets, De Magnete. He is credited with coining the word electricity.
Oysters
Named after the best oysters in the world from Mersea Island. One of the reasons the Romans came here, apart from the lead and silver.
Raedwald
Raedwald was king of East Anglia. He reigned from about 599AD until his death around 624AD. Many believe he was the king buried at Sutton Hoo.
 
Year 6
Trinovantes
The wealthy tribe that ruled North Essex before the Roman invasion in 41 AD.
Cymbeline
Cymbeline, King of Britain, is a play by William Shakespeare set in Ancient Britain (c. AD 10-14) and based on the early King Cunobeline of Colchester.
Lathes
Founded in 1887 by John Ernest Cohen, The Colchester Lathe Company swiftly rose to prominence as a manufacturer of exceptional lathes.