Autumn Term 1 - History Focus This term, our Year 5/6 cohort have been fully immersed in our World War Two history unit, exploring what life was like during the Blitz, the evacuation of children, and the use of propaganda. We have investigated how families in Britain coped during bombing raids, what it must have felt like to leave home as an evacuee, and how powerful posters and broadcasts were in shaping people’s attitudes during the war.  Using real eyewitness accounts, we have gained an authentic sense of the fear, resilience and courage of ordinary people living through extraordinary times, before writing our own pieces in the style of first-hand testimonies.
A highlight of our reading work was reading a moving poem about a man still haunted by his memories of the Blitz, which helped us to reflect on the long-lasting impact of war. Alongside this, we have been enjoying our class novel, Letters from the Lighthouse, which has kept us gripped with its story of evacuees, family secrets and bravery. The book has tied together many of our themes and sparked brilliant class discussions.
Inspired by all of our History learning, we wrote persuasive pieces in English where we argued either for wanting to be evacuated to safety in the countryside or for staying behind with our families in the city. We also stepped into the shoes of wartime children by writing diary entries about the moment we were told we would be evacuated.

Autumn Term 2 - Geography Focus

This half term, Year 5 and 6 have learnt a variety of new topics across the curriculum. In maths, we have been developing our understanding of multiplication and division, as well as learning about fractions.

During English, we explored Macbeth and worked on writing inspired by the play.

We have learnt about environmental schemes and their impacts on people and the planet in geography.

We have also begun learning about Hinduism in RE, gaining an understanding of key beliefs and practices. In PE, we have taken part in boxercise and Drumba, helping us to stay active and improve our fitness.

 

Spring Term 1 - Art/D&T Focus

This half term has been a very busy and happy one in our Year 5/6 classrooms!

In English, the children have been developing their non-fiction writing skills by creating detailed and engaging non-chronological reports about polar bears or camels. They carefully organised their information using clear headings, technical vocabulary and well-structured paragraphs. To deepen their understanding of purpose and audience, the children then adapted their writing into eye-catching posters, thinking carefully about layout, language choices and how to engage their reader.

In Maths, we have focused on the four operations with decimals, building confidence in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The children have also worked hard on rounding numbers accurately and understanding and calculating with negative numbers. Their fluency and reasoning skills continue to grow as they explain their thinking clearly.

Oracy remains a key focus across the curriculum. The children are developing their speaking and listening skills brilliantly, learning how to respectfully challenge one another’s ideas and address misconceptions thoughtfully and maturely.

In Science, the children explored the work of Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution. They learned about adaptation and how living things evolve to survive in different environments, making thoughtful links between habitats and the features animals need to thrive.

In Art, we travelled back to Renaissance Italy to study the work of Michelangelo. The children investigated his sculptures and artistic techniques, developing their own sketching skills using pencil before creating impressive relief sculptures in clay.

In ICT, the children demonstrated a strong understanding of how to stay safe online. Our Year 6 pupils were especially enthusiastic about sharing their learning from their recent visit to The Warning Zone, reinforcing the importance of making safe and responsible choices.

Well done to everyone for such a positive and productive half term!

Spring Term 2 - History Focus

This term, Year 5/6 have been engaged in a rich and thought-provoking curriculum across all subjects. We are delighted to share some of the fantastic learning that has taken place.

✍️ English – Narrative Writing
In English, pupils have been developing their narrative writing skills by creating imaginative stories about a mysterious lost creature. They have focused on building suspense, using descriptive language, and carefully structuring their stories to engage the reader. We have been so impressed with their creativity and attention to detail.

📖 Reading
Our class text has been Coming to England by Floella Benjamin. This powerful autobiography has supported our understanding of migration, identity, and resilience, linking closely with our history topic.

🧮 Maths
In maths, pupils have explored:

• Percentages
• Ratio and proportion
• Symmetry and reflection

They have applied these skills to solve problems, reason mathematically, and explain their thinking clearly.

🌍 History – The Windrush Generation
In history, we have been learning about the Windrush Generation. Pupils have explored why people migrated to Britain, the challenges they faced, and the significant contributions they made to British society. This topic has encouraged thoughtful discussions about fairness, diversity, and inclusion.

🔬 Science – Light
Our science topic has focused on light. Pupils have investigated how light travels, how shadows are formed, and how we see objects. They have enjoyed carrying out practical experiments to deepen their understanding of scientific concepts.

💬 PSHE
In PSHE, we have used the picture book The Island to explore important themes such as belonging, community, and the impact of racism. Pupils have shown maturity and empathy when discussing these sensitive topics, reflecting on the importance of kindness and inclusion.

We are incredibly proud of the effort Year 5/6 have shown this term. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to engage with challenging ideas have made this a very successful and meaningful term of learning.