Week 3

This week has been another busy and productive one in Year 5, with the children showing great focus and enthusiasm across the curriculum.

In Reading, we explored a selection of poems about the moon. The children thought carefully about how poets create powerful images and meanings through their choice of words. In particular, we looked at how poets draw connections between animals and the moon, considering how figurative language helps bring these ideas to life. The class enjoyed discussing the imagery and sharing their interpretations of what the poets might have been suggesting.

In Writing, the children completed their final character narratives, and I have been incredibly impressed by the quality of their work. They have worked hard over the past couple of weeks to develop interesting characters, build tension and structure their stories effectively. Many pupils demonstrated fantastic creativity, descriptive language and thoughtful character development. It has been wonderful to see their confidence as writers grow.

In Maths, we completed an arithmetic assessment, which gave the children a chance to apply the calculation strategies we have been practising. We also spent time exploring partitioning decimals and fractions, helping the children to deepen their understanding of number and place value. This work supports their ability to think flexibly about numbers and prepares them for more complex calculations later on.

In PE, the class continued developing their tennis skills, focusing on forehand and backhand shots. The children worked hard to control their racket movements and aim their shots more accurately. It was great to see their determination and teamwork as they practised these techniques with partners.

In French, the children practised using dictionaries to find new vocabulary. This helped them become more independent learners as they explored unfamiliar words and practised applying them in simple phrases.

Our Geography lesson focused on The Pennines, often known as the “backbone of England”. The children explored where this mountain range is located and sorted different examples of physical and human features found in the region. This helped them understand how landscapes influence how people live and work.

In Music, we began learning the groove for a new song we will be studying. The children practised keeping a steady rhythm and playing together as a group, which required good listening skills and teamwork.

During Computing, the class learned how to sort online records within a database. They practised organising information in different ways and discussed how databases help us find information quickly and efficiently.

Finally, in Science, the children planned an experiment to investigate how we can separate particles of different sizes. They thought carefully about how to carry out a fair test, what equipment they would need and what results they might expect. Next week we will be carrying out the investigation and analysing what we discover.

Well done to the whole class for another fantastic week of learning!

Week 2

It has been another busy and productive week in class, with the children showing great enthusiasm and focus across all areas of learning.

In Writing, we have been developing plans for our character narratives. The children spent time thinking carefully about their main characters, considering their personality, motivations and how they might change throughout the story. We discussed how authors make characters interesting and believable, and the class began organising their ideas into clear plans that will help them when they begin writing their full narratives. It was lovely to see the creativity in their ideas and the thoughtful discussions they had when developing their characters.

In Maths, we have been learning about equivalent fractions and decimals. The children explored how fractions can be written in different but equal forms and how these connect to decimal numbers. We used place value knowledge to help us convert between fractions and decimals and practised identifying equivalents through a range of problems and activities. The class worked really hard to explain their reasoning and support one another when tackling more challenging questions.

Our Geography lesson focused on how mountains are formed. The children learned about the different processes that create mountains, including the movement of tectonic plates and how the Earth’s surface can fold and push upwards over time. We explored different types of mountains and discussed how these powerful natural processes shape the landscapes we see around the world.

In RE, we discussed the Christian belief that Jesus’ death and resurrection restored the relationship between God and people. The children reflected on why these events are such an important part of the Christian faith and talked about what they mean for believers. The class approached this topic thoughtfully and showed respect for the different ideas and perspectives shared during our discussions.

In Art, we continued working on our portraits by creating background designs to complement our drawings. The children thought carefully about colour, pattern and composition to help make their artwork more visually interesting. It has been wonderful to see how each piece is developing and how the children are expressing their creativity in different ways.

Finally, in Computing, we continued exploring paper databases. This week we focused on sorting and searching for information within them. The children quickly discovered that finding specific information in a paper database can take quite a long time! This helped us understand why digital databases are so useful, as they allow information to be searched and organised much more quickly.

Overall, the children have worked extremely hard this week and have shown great engagement with their learning. We are very proud of their effort and look forward to continuing our topics next week.

Spring 2 Week 1

It has been a lovely week back and it was wonderful to see everyone returning to school with such positive energy. The children settled quickly back into our routines and have been working really hard across all of our subjects.

In Writing, we began exploring our new text, The Promise. The class were immediately intrigued by the opening of the story and we spent time making predictions about what might happen and discussing the themes we think may appear in the book. The children enjoyed sharing their ideas and justifying their predictions using clues from the text and illustrations. We also focused on developing our vocabulary, collecting interesting words and phrases that we might use in our own writing later in the unit.

In Maths, we have been learning about tenths and hundredths as decimals. The children practised recognising and writing decimals and explored how tenths and hundredths relate to fractions. We used place value charts and practical examples to help deepen our understanding, and the class showed great determination when tackling some tricky problems.

Our Geography learning this week focused on mountains. We began by identifying and plotting some of the major mountains in the UK on maps, learning about where they are located and what makes them significant. We then expanded our knowledge by exploring mountain ranges around the world, discussing where they are found and comparing them.

In Music, we started our introduction to reggae music. The children listened carefully to examples of reggae and began learning about its rhythm and style. We also listened to music by Bob Marley, discussing how his songs helped make reggae music famous around the world.

During PE, we worked on gymnastics, beginning to develop a new routine and focusing on control and balance. The class also practised their tennis skills, working on coordination, control and accuracy when hitting the ball.

In Computing, we started learning about paper databases. The children explored how information can be organised and sorted, and practised asking questions that could be answered using a simple database.

Finally, in Art, we experimented with continuous line drawing to create self-portraits. The children really enjoyed the challenge of drawing their faces without lifting their pencil from the paper, producing some very creative and expressive results.

Overall, it has been a fantastic start back to the term and the class should be very proud of the effort they have shown in all of their learning this week. We are looking forward to another busy and exciting week ahead!

Week 6

This week has been another busy and productive one in class, and the children have worked extremely hard across all subjects.

In Writing, we have now finished our formal reports. The pupils put a huge amount of effort into researching, organising their ideas, and presenting their information clearly and formally. The finished pieces are very impressive – in fact, they sound professional enough to send straight over to Scotland Yard! It has been wonderful to see how much the children’s confidence with formal language and structured writing has grown.

In Maths, we have continued our work on fractions. This week the focus has been on multiplying mixed numbers by integers. The children have been practising how to convert mixed numbers when necessary and carefully applying their multiplication skills. It is a tricky area of maths, but the class has shown great perseverance and is becoming much more confident with the process.

In Science, we finished our Spring 1 unit with an investigation into evaporation. The children explored what happens when a solution evaporates and discovered that soluble substances can actually be retrieved through this process. It was great to see them making predictions, observing closely, and discussing their findings like real scientists.

In History, we learned about how the Shang Dynasty came to an end. More importantly, we discussed what the circumstances surrounding its fall tell us about Shang society, leadership, and beliefs. The class asked some thoughtful questions and made some interesting connections to what we have already learned about this fascinating civilisation.

In Music, we completed our work on Pachelbel’s Canon. Over the past few weeks the children have been learning different musical parts, and this week we brought everything together. It was fantastic to hear all the parts played together and to see how each contribution helps create the full piece.

We also enjoyed a well-earned behaviour treat this week. The class had great fun making slime and then experimenting to see who could blow the biggest bubble with it. There were lots of laughs and some impressively large slime bubbles!

Finally, our Bounceathon was a huge success. The children had a brilliant time jumping and bouncing their way around the assault course, all while raising money. Thank you to everyone who supported and sponsored the event – the pupils should be very proud of the effort they put in. What a lot of fun it was!

Well done to everyone for another fantastic week.

Week 5

What a lovely week in Year 5! 

A highlight must be our Class Worship with Year 4, where we shared some of the things we have been learning about Jesus in our RE lessons. We hope you enjoyed our acting out the parables! It was a reflective worship that we loved putting together.

We have had another busy and exciting week in class, with lots of fantastic learning taking place across the curriculum.

In Writing, the children have been developing their ability to write more formal report sentences. Using the case we are currently solving and the dramatic event of the hound being shot, the children have worked hard to select appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures suited to a formal report style. They have shown great enthusiasm and focus, and are very excited to begin writing their full reports next week.

In Maths, we have been learning how to use short division and applying this alongside multiplication and division problem-solving. The children have been encouraged to explain their thinking clearly and choose the most efficient strategies. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they tackle increasingly challenging problems.

Our History lessons have taken us back to ancient China, where we have been studying artefacts from the Shang Dynasty. The children explored what artefacts can tell us about daily life, beliefs, and power during this period, and they asked thoughtful questions while examining and discussing the objects.

In Music, we learned a new song using five fingers on the C major scale. The children practised finger positioning and coordination, and they enjoyed performing the song together while developing their musical skills and listening carefully to one another.

During Science, we investigated whether salt can be separated from water using filtration. The children made predictions, carried out the experiment, and discussed the results, helping them to understand more about mixtures and separation techniques.

In DT, our sewing project is coming together beautifully. The children are making great progress on their stuffed toys, showing perseverance, creativity, and improving sewing skills. It has been lovely to see how proud they are of their work as their designs start to take shape.

Finally, our Spirituality afternoon was a calm and reflective time for everyone. We spent time thinking about St Paul and how we can grow our own spirit through kindness, reflection, and helping others. It was a truly lovely afternoon and a special opportunity for the children to pause and think more deeply.

Well done to the class for another hardworking and positive week of learning! 🌟

Week 4

This week in Year 5 has been a busy and productive one, with lots of learning happening across the curriculum.

In Writing, we began our new unit on formal reports, using The Hound of the Baskervilles as our inspiration. The children explored what makes a piece of writing sound formal and started learning appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures to match this style. We discussed tone, word choice and how formal writing differs from informal writing, which provided a strong foundation for the reports we will continue developing over the coming weeks.

In Reading, we focused on poems based on nature. The class read and compared a range of poems, discussing themes, language choices and imagery. The children particularly enjoyed the poem about the kingfisher, which sparked thoughtful conversations about how poets create vivid pictures using words.

In History, the children researched Lady Fu Hao, learning about her role and significance. They explored historical sources and discussed what we can learn about the past from archaeological discoveries, developing both their knowledge and enquiry skills.

In Music, we learned how to play Three Blind Mice using the five-finger technique. The children practised carefully, focusing on finger placement and rhythm, and showed great concentration as they developed their playing skills.

In Computing, the children designed loops on their micro:bits, thinking about how these could be used within a house. They explored how repeating commands work and applied logical thinking when planning and testing their designs.

In Science, we carried out an experiment to discover which substances are soluble. The children made predictions, observed what happened when different substances were mixed with water, and discussed their results using scientific vocabulary.

In RE, we learned about the Kingdom of God, exploring what this means within Christianity and discussing key ideas linked to beliefs and teachings.

In DT, we began the practical stage of our stuffed toy project. The children carefully cut out their designs and prepared them ready for sewing in the coming sessions.

Finally, in Gymnastics, our routine is really starting to come together. The children have been practising linking movements smoothly and confidently, showing good teamwork and improving control.

Well done to Year 5 for another focused and enthusiastic week of learning!

Week 3

This week has been another busy and positive one in class, with the children showing excellent focus and enthusiasm across the curriculum.

In Maths, we have been developing our understanding of the formal written method of multiplication and applying this to a range of word problems. The children worked hard to choose the correct operations, set out their workings clearly and explain their reasoning.

In Reading, we explored poems describing nature, focusing on how poets use language to create atmosphere and mood. The children looked closely at word choice and imagery, sharing thoughtful ideas about how these techniques influence the reader.

Our Writing lessons continued with our cliffhanger narratives. We have been really impressed with the children’s use of adverbials, parenthesis and relative clauses to build tension and add detail. Many pupils showed growing confidence when editing and improving their work independently.

In History, we learned about the achievements of the Shang dynasty and took part in a debate about which achievement was the most significant. The children explained their views clearly and supported them with historical evidence.

During RE, we reflected on how Jesus encourages us to live out our School Christian values, linking biblical teachings to everyday actions such as kindness and respect.

In Science, we investigated reversible and irreversible changes, using examples to explain how some changes can be undone while others cannot.

In Music, the children learned the bass line of Pachelbel’s Canon, focusing on keeping a steady pulse and working together. Gymnastics lessons involved learning the next section of our routine, with an emphasis on balance, control and smooth transitions.

Finally, in Computing, we used micro:bits to explore meeting conditions, developing our logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Overall, it has been a productive and enjoyable week, and the children should be very proud of the effort they continue to show in their learning.

Week 2

We have enjoyed lots of learning this week. Read on to find out more!

Writing
In Writing, we have been working in the analyse phase of our unit. We studied an example text, identifying its structure and key language features, before writing some of our own examples. We then independently wrote a cliffhanger moment, making sure to include all the grammar features we had learned.

Maths
In Maths, we started our Multiplication and Division B unit. We have been learning to use the grid method to multiply numbers with varying digits, helping us to approach more complex calculations with confidence.

Music
In Music, we practised five-finger playing on the keyboard. We learned a variety of tunes in the keys of C and D, developing our finger control and musical understanding.

History
In History, we explored daily life in the Shang Dynasty. We demonstrated our learning by creating comics that showed different aspects of life during this period.

Science
In Science, we investigated why certain materials are useful. We looked at different material properties and discussed how these make them suitable for specific purposes.

RE
In RE, we learned about the Beatitudes and discussed how their messages could help guide and change our own lives.

PE
In PE, we have been developing our skills in gymnastics and netball through a range of activities and practice.

Computing
In Computing, we learned how to generate count-controlled loops. We also completed challenges to code our micro:bits so that different actions happened when buttons A and B were pressed.

Spring Week 1

This week has been a productive week back, with lots of exciting learning taking place across the curriculum. I was so excited to see my class and they have not disappointed me with their kindness and joy.

In Maths, we came to the end of our fractions unit. The children worked extremely hard on some particularly challenging concepts, including breaking the whole and subtracting mixed numbers. These lessons really tested their resilience and problem-solving skills, and it was great to see them using visual models, reasoning carefully, and explaining their thinking with growing confidence.

In Reading, we have been exploring folk tales. The class enjoyed identifying the key features of this genre, such as traditional openings, recurring themes, and moral messages. We also looked closely at the language used in folk tales and discussed how it helps to bring characters and events to life.

Our Writing lessons marked the exciting start of our new detective mystery unit based on The Hound of the Baskervilles. The children have begun immersing themselves in the world of the story by exploring characters, setting, and atmosphere. They have focused on how authors create suspense and tension, and we have discussed how descriptive language can be used to make settings feel eerie and mysterious.

In History, we learned about the social hierarchy of the Shang Dynasty. The children examined the different roles within society, from the king and nobles to farmers and slaves, and discussed how power and wealth were distributed. This helped them gain a clearer understanding of how ancient societies were structured.

In Music, the children began learning part of Pachelbel’s Canon on the keyboard. They worked on finger placement, rhythm, and coordination, showing great concentration as they practised this well-known piece.

Our Science lesson was very hands-on this week. The children played a materials guessing game, using their knowledge of material properties to identify different objects. This encouraged careful observation and the use of scientific vocabulary.

In RE, we explored Jesus’ parables through role play. The children acted out different stories and focused on understanding the messages behind them, reflecting thoughtfully on what each parable teaches.

For DT, we started the research phase of our stuffed toys project. The children began investigating different designs, materials, and purposes, preparing them for the design stage in the coming weeks.

Finally, in PE, we made a wonderful start to our gymnastics unit. The children recapped key skills such as balance, control, and movement, and showed great enthusiasm and teamwork throughout the lesson.

Well done to the class for their hard work and positive attitude this week!

Week 6

What a fantastic and busy week!

Writing:
The children have been developing their letter writing, writing from a father to his son after his contraption has failed. They have drawn thoughtfully on their writer’s knowledge, using beautiful phrases, carefully chosen vocabulary and emotional detail to bring their writing to life. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow and their ideas become more refined as they edit and improve their work.

Reading:
In Reading, the children continued exploring non-fiction texts, thinking carefully about why they prefer certain layouts and how information can be presented in different ways depending on purpose and audience. They discussed how design choices help guide the reader and make information clearer and more engaging.

Pantomime:
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to see Snow White — what a magical and memorable treat! 

Carol Concert:
We have been practising our songs as KS2 in preparation for the carol concert. The children have shown great enthusiasm and teamwork, and it has been lovely to hear the hall filled with festive singing.

Christmas Cards:
The children’s Christmas cards look absolutely stunning. They have taken real care with their designs, creating thoughtful and creative pieces that we hope will be treasured at home.

Science:
In Science, the children completed an assessment to reflect on their learning, after exploring why the Sun appears to move across the sky. They made links to the Earth’s rotation and showed a growing confidence in explaining scientific ideas.

RE:
In RE, the children used role play and narration to compare the Matthew and Luke depictions of the Nativity. They thought carefully about similarities and differences, showing respect and insight as they explored the Biblical accounts.

Computing:
In Computing, the children began planning a script for a short film about the Titanic. They considered sequencing, narration and key information, laying strong foundations for their digital work next term.

Week 5

We’ve had another busy and exciting week in Year 5, full of creativity, curiosity and fantastic learning!

Reading:
We began learning our poem for the carol concert, spending time thinking carefully about intonation, expression and performance. The children practised how their voices can change meaning, mood and impact, and showed great confidence when performing aloud. Alongside this, we explored a non-fiction text, discussing how features such as headings, subheadings, diagrams and layout are used to support the reader and make information easy to find and understand.

Writing:
This week was all about gathering ideas and content for our upcoming letter writing. Through the use of freeze frames, the children stepped into the story and explored key moments in depth. They then wrote thoughtful notes from father to son, focusing on emotions, intentions and viewpoint. This work showed real empathy and a deepening understanding of character, setting us up beautifully for writing the final letters.

Maths:
Our work with fractions continues to grow in confidence and depth. We have been learning how to order and compare fractions, using careful reasoning and a range of visual models to support our thinking. The children explained their choices clearly and are becoming increasingly secure in justifying their answers mathematically.

Science:
In Science, we asked a big question: Why do we have day and night? The children explored how the rotation of the Earth causes this daily pattern, using diagrams and discussion to deepen their understanding. There were some excellent scientific questions and thoughtful explanations shared during the lesson.

History:
The children were fascinated to learn about Empire Windrush and why Britain needed so many new workers after the war. We explored the push and pull factors that led people to travel from the Caribbean to Britain and discussed the challenges and hopes faced by those who made the journey. The children showed sensitivity and curiosity as they began to understand this important moment in British history.

Week 4

What a wonderful and busy week it has been in Year 5! The children have thrown themselves into every lesson with enthusiasm, curiosity and creativity, and we are so proud of the progress they are making across the curriculum.

In Reading, we explored the wonderfully mysterious and imaginative poem Jabberwocky. The children thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with expression, using punctuation clues to guide their reading and bring this famously “made-up” poem to life. It sparked lots of discussion about how nonsense words can still create vivid images when read confidently and with flair.

In Maths, we have dived further into our fractions unit, learning how to convert mixed numbers into improper fractions. The class showed great determination as they tackled this new skill, and many of them were able to explain their reasoning clearly using diagrams and examples.

In Writing, Miss Bardsley made an exciting discovery—a letter hidden in the woods, written from the father to the son in our class story! This mysterious find inspired the children to generate powerful sentences, explore emotions and motives, and begin planning their own heartfelt letters. Their ideas have been thoughtful, imaginative and clearly influenced by the story world we’ve been building together.

In History, we learned about the Kindertransport and the extraordinary bravery of Sir Nicholas Winton. The children were moved by the stories of the young refugees and the incredible journey they made. We discussed why these events deserve to be remembered and the importance of honouring acts of courage and compassion.

In PE, we enjoyed high-energy sessions of rugby and football. The children worked hard on teamwork, communication and spatial awareness, showing great sportsmanship throughout.

In Elf Enterprise, our busy elves have officially begun their production line! The children are starting to apply teamwork and problem-solving skills as they create, organise and prepare for the next steps of our festive project.

In Science, we built simple but effective models of the Earth and the Sun to help explain why we experience day and night. The hands-on approach really helped cement their understanding, and the classroom was full of curiosity and “aha!” moments.

In Music, we took on the challenge of singing in two-part harmony—and succeeded! Miss Bardsley was absolutely thrilled to hear the children creating such a rich, blended sound. It was a fantastic achievement and a testament to their focus and confidence.

WEEK 3

Year 5 Weekly Learning Overview

Year 5 have had a wonderfully busy and engaging week, throwing themselves into every subject with enthusiasm and maturity.

Reading
In Reading, the children explored a tense and atmospheric moment from our class text, focusing on Eska’s encounter with the Ice Queen, who attempted to steal her voice. The class worked hard to make thoughtful predictions about what might happen next and used clues from the text to make inferences about the characters’ motivations and feelings. Their discussions showed developing confidence and a deepening understanding of how writers build tension.

Maths
In Maths, pupils completed a multiplication and division assessment, allowing them to show how far their understanding has come. We also began our new topic on fractions. Even at this early stage, the children have impressed with the knowledge they already have, and their readiness to tackle new challenges has been fantastic to see.

Writing
For Writing, the class produced independent setting narratives. The range of wonderful vocabulary, descriptive detail, and ambitious techniques they used was truly impressive. It was clear that the children were drawing on everything they have learned this term and applying it with confidence and creativity.

Wheelchair Sports
This was an inclusive and exciting experience for the children, giving them a new perspective on teamwork, coordination, and physical challenge. Their positivity and respect for the activity were excellent. Miss Bardsley also got involved and had a very fun time!

French
In French, the children had great fun acting as robots and following spoken French directions to find different locations, such as the café. This interactive approach helped them practise listening skills and positional language in an enjoyable and memorable way.

History
Our History work continued with the topic of the Titanic. This week, the children learned about the journeys taken by third-class passengers and considered what their experiences might have been like. They showed real curiosity and empathy during discussions.

Science
In Science, we studied the moon and its orbit around the Earth. The children explored how the moon moves and why we see its different phases, deepening their understanding of our solar system.

DT
In Design Technology, Year 5 are working with Microbits. They enjoyed the hands-on experience of exploring how these small programmable devices work and what they can create with them.

PSHE
In PSHE, the focus was on developing good listening skills and understanding the importance of paying attention to others. The children reflected thoughtfully on how effective listening helps build positive relationships.

RE
In RE, we explored ideas about Heaven in the Bible. The children responded creatively, producing beautiful poems that expressed their interpretations and showed sensitivity and imagination.

Week 2

We have had another busy and productive week!

On Tuesday, it was Remembrance Day so our school and the community came together for a moment of reflection and to remember hose who gave their lives for our freedom and reflected on how we can each be peacemakers in our world today. We walked up to the war memorial for a special worship lead by Rev. Ben and Mr Dugdale.  

In writing, we have been analysing language features and devices, looking closely at the writer’s choices. We focused on verbs with prefixes, expanded noun phrases and adverbials for cohesion. We also explored the use of dashes for parenthesis, as well as metaphors and personification. We have also begun to plan our own setting narrative based on an image from FArTHER by Grahame Baker Smith. We thought carefully about the background, middle ground and foreground as well as the characters within the scene.

In maths, we investigated square and cube numbers and learned the symbols used to represent them. We have also been multiplying and dividing by 10, 100 and 1000, using place value sliders to help us understand how the digits move.

In history, we learned about Sir Walter Raleigh and his journeys during Tudor times. We explored the reasons why people were motivated to go exploring during this period, including curiosity, trade and national ambition.

In RE, we discussed the sensitive topic of loss and what Christians believe happens after death. Year 5 showed such maturity throughout this lesson and expressed their thoughts with great care and respect.

In PSHE, we explored the meaning of Anti Bullying Week and the different types of bullying. We also played a game of Truth or Myth, which helped us challenge some common misconceptions. On Monday, we celebrated Odd Socks Day to recognise that everyone is unique.

In DT, we started creating a code for our Microbits. We programmed them to detect temperature changes and trigger an alarm and icon if the temperature became too hot or too cold. 

In science, we explored how Earth and the other planets move through the solar system. We found out that they all orbit the sun in the same direction and learned how long each planet takes to complete a full revolution. We discussed the link between the length of time it takes and the planet’s distance from the sun.

On Friday, we celebrated Children in Need. We came to school wearing something spotty or yellow, and the classroom was filled with bright colours and Pudsey themed accessories!! 

Looking forward to another busy week next week, Year 5!!

Week 1 

We’ve had a wonderful first week back after half term, full of curiosity, creativity and great discussions across all our subjects.

In maths, we explored factors, prime numbers and square numbers. We carried out exciting number investigations, spotting patterns and testing our ideas.

In English, we started our new text FArTHER and began by predicting what it might be about using objects, images and quotes from the story. We also learned about personification and used it to write some fantastic stormy sea setting descriptions that were full of atmosphere and imagination.

Our new history unit is all about journeys. We reflected on significant journeys from the past and discussed why people undertake journeys, thinking about exploration, discovery and personal growth.

In science, we began learning about the solar system. We created detailed planet fact files, finding out about each planet’s appearance, number of moons, composition and place in the solar system. We were fascinated by the differences between them.

We have loved reading extracts from The Storm Keeper’s Island. We used our prediction and inference skills to discuss the characters, their actions and the mysterious atmosphere of the story.

In DT, we started our digital creation unit. We explored different types of monitoring devices and began designing our own device to monitor an animal’s cage or enclosure. Soon, we will be coding Microbits to measure and track temperature ranges and creating a house to keep the microbit safe from the animals. 

In computing, we learned about different filming techniques and the sections within videos. We explored talking head shots, where the camera is fixed and focused on the speaker; panning shots, where the camera moves to show different things; and close-up shots, where the camera focuses closely on the subject to capture detail and emotion. 

We have also really enjoyed our two PE sessions this week, one with our sports coach on Thursday and another fantastic rugby session led by BURFC on Tuesday. We showed great teamwork, enthusiasm and energy in both sessions.

It has been a brilliant week of learning, and we are so proud of how focused and enthusiastic everyone has been. We can’t wait to see what next week brings.

Autumn 1 - Native Narratives

Week 8 

What a fantastic week we’ve had in Year 5!

Geography:
We’ve been exploring trade in Europe through a fun and lively trade game! The children took on the roles of different European countries, learning all about imports and exports and how countries depend on one another.

RE:
In RE, we’ve been learning about the holy text of Judaism, discovering why it is so important and how it helps to guide Jewish people in their faith.

Outdoor Learning:
Our Outdoor Learning session was a real highlight. The children loved searching for minibeasts and even designing and testing their own parachutes! Lots of creativity and teamwork on show.

English:
We’ve produced some gorgeous information texts all about animals in the Sahara Desert. These are inspired by our class book The Wonder Garden. We can’t wait for you to see them!

Maths:
In Maths, we began our new unit on multiplication and division, focusing on multiples and common multiples. The children have shown great reasoning and problem-solving skills already.

Science:
Our Science lessons have been full of hands-on fun! We explored pulleys, levers, and gears, and even made our own simple levers to see how they make work easier.

Behaviour Treat:
To celebrate all our hard work and brilliant behaviour this half term, we enjoyed a very exciting magic show, making it a perfect way to end the week and our first half term together!

Wishing everyone a restful and happy half-term break — you’ve all earned it!

Week 7

This week in Year 5, we’ve been diving into a fantastic range of learning experiences across the curriculum – from imagining life in magical gardens to investigating the forces that affect how things move!

English
In English, we’ve been exploring the rich and imaginative world of Wonder Garden. Children have been developing their creative and analytical skills by imagining what it might be like to step inside these fantastical environments. Turning into detective, the children have been searching through texts to spot key non-chronological features and examining the linguistic choices authors make to inform and engage readers. It’s been a great opportunity to combine creativity with critical thinking.

Maths
Our focus in Maths has been on mastering addition and subtraction. The children have been working incredibly hard, applying their skills to solve increasingly complex problems. Their dedication and focus have been evident as they built up to their assessment, showing just how much progress they've made. We’re very proud of the effort and resilience they’ve shown throughout the week.

Geography
In Geography, we’ve been looking at population concentration across Europe. The children have been exploring maps to identify where people live and, more importantly, why people choose to settle in particular areas. We’ve had some fantastic discussions around natural resources, climate, trade, and historical development. This topic is really helping the children build a better understanding of the human geography of our world.

Science
This week’s Science lessons brought a lot of excitement as we conducted an investigation involving a toy car, a ramp, and a variety of surfaces. The children predicted, tested, and recorded their results to explore the effects of friction. They discovered that sandpaper created the most friction, causing the car to slow down the most. It was a hands-on, engaging way to see forces in action and understand how different materials interact.

Computing
In Computing, we’ve been learning about how search engines work – and more importantly, how search results can be influenced. This sparked some really thoughtful conversations about bias, advertising, and the importance of thinking critically when researching online. The children are becoming increasingly savvy digital citizens!

Library Visit
We were also treated to a visit from our local librarian this week – always a highlight! These sessions continue to inspire a love of reading and curiosity about the world.

PSHE
In our PSHE sessions, we’ve been talking about emotional needs – what they are, why they matter, and how we can take care of them. The children discussed how to recognise different emotions and the strategies we can use to support ourselves and others when things get tough. It was a thoughtful and supportive space for reflection and learning.

We’ve had a busy, productive, and exciting week in Year 5, filled with new discoveries and growing confidence across the board. Well done, everyone

Week 6

What an exciting and enriching week it has been in Year 5! The classroom has been buzzing with creativity, curiosity, and collaboration as we’ve explored a wide range of subjects and celebrated important moments together.

In English, we’ve been celebrating Black History Month by learning about the inspiring story of Dorothy Vaughan, a pioneering African-American mathematician who played a crucial role at NASA. To honour her legacy, the children created kennings poems that captured her brilliance, strength, and determination. These poems are not only beautifully written but also deeply thoughtful – a true celebration of an incredible figure in history. We are so proud of the language and imagery the children used to express admiration and respect for Dorothy's achievements.

In Maths, we have been sharpening our skills in addition and subtraction. We’ve explored how to use the inverse operation to check our answers and have been solving some challenging multi-step word problems. These activities have helped us develop our reasoning skills and encouraged us to explain our mathematical thinking clearly. It’s been fantastic to see the children’s confidence grow as they apply these strategies to real-life problems.

In Music, our classroom has been alive with rhythm and sound as we continue rehearsing for our performance of The Great Kapok Tree. The children are working hard to blend their voices and body percussion to create a vibrant and expressive performance. 

In Geography, we’ve been exploring weather patterns across Europe and learning how different regions experience varying climates. The highlight of the week was becoming weather reporters! The children used maps, weather symbols, and their presenting skills to create and deliver their own weather forecasts.

In RE, we’ve explored Sikhism, learning about the core beliefs, symbols, and practices of this rich and respectful faith. We spent time exploring and answering deep questions. The children have shown great empathy and curiosity in their discussions.

In French, we’ve been building our vocabulary around places we see on our way to school. We’ve practised describing our routes using French phrases.

In Science, we launched into our investigation into gravity! We carried out practical experiments to explore how gravity affects the movement of objects and discussed how it interacts with other forces. The children asked brilliant questions like, “What would happen to gravity if we were on the Moon?” and worked collaboratively to record their findings and share their conclusions.

Finally, we proudly took part in Hello Yellow Day, joining schools across the country to support YoungMinds and raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing. The children came dressed in yellow to show that they are not alone with their feelings. We spent time thinking about how we can look after our mental health, support one another, and build a kind, caring classroom community.

It’s been a week full of rich learning, positive energy, and big ideas. Well done, Year 5 – you’ve amazed us with your effort, creativity, and enthusiasm!

Week 5

What a brilliant week it’s been in Year 5! The classroom has been buzzing with energy, creativity, and curiosity as we’ve explored a wide range of topics across the curriculum. It’s been one of those weeks where we can really see how much the children are growing—not just in their learning, but also in their confidence, teamwork, and reflection.

In English, we have been hard at work completing our independent writes, and I must say, I am blown away by what the children have produced. Their writing is absolutely packed with ambitious vocabulary, carefully crafted sentence structures, and a clear awareness of the grammar and punctuation we’ve been learning. Each piece reflects their individuality and developing voice as writers, and it's such a joy to read their work. We also reached the end of our class text, A Long Walk to Water, and finally discovered how Nya and Salva’s stories intertwine. It was such a powerful and heartwarming moment—so much so that I nearly cried! Seeing the children connect so deeply with the characters and themes of the book has been a real highlight of the term so far.

In our Worship sessions this week, we have been honouring Black History Month by learning about the remarkable achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history and today. These stories have inspired rich discussions about justice, resilience, and the importance of representation. Alongside this, we’ve continued to reflect on how we live out our school vision, and how each of us plays a role in helping our community flourish—through kindness, collaboration, and determination.

In Maths, we’ve now moved on to our unit on addition and subtraction. The children have been tackling both mental and written strategies and building their confidence with problem-solving and reasoning. It's been lovely to see them supporting one another and explaining their methods clearly – signs of real mathematical thinking!

Science has taken us into the world of physics, where we've been exploring the force of gravity. The children have been curious and enthusiastic as we've discussed how gravity affects everything around us—from falling apples to orbiting planets. We’ve also begun thinking about how other forces interact with gravity, setting the stage for some exciting investigations in the weeks to come.

In RE, we have been learning about the special nature of the Qur'an. The children have shown great respect and interest in understanding why the Qur'an is so central to the Islamic faith. We’ve explored how it is treated with reverence, how it guides the lives of Muslims, and why it is considered the literal word of God. These lessons have prompted thoughtful conversations and some wonderful questions.

Our Music sessions have been alive with rhythm and creativity this week as we’ve explored rainforest body percussion. The children have been using their bodies to replicate the sounds of the rainforest—rain, thunder, footsteps, animal calls—and composing their own rhythmic sequences. It’s been a brilliant opportunity to connect movement with sound, and the results have been both imaginative and impressive!

In Guided Reading, we marked Richard III’s 

reading about his life and the incredible story of how his remains were discovered under a car park in Leicester. The children were captivated by the twists and turns of this historical mystery and asked brilliant questions about how we know what we know from the past.

Finally, in Geography, we’ve been building our skills in using 4-figure grid references. Learning how to locate places accurately on a map has been both fun and practical, and the children are now much more confident in interpreting map symbols and coordinates.

It’s been a week full of wonder, hard work, and collaboration, and I could not be prouder of each and every member of Year 5. The enthusiasm, perseverance, and care they show for their learning—and for one another—is truly inspiring. We are in full force as a Year 5 team, and I can’t wait to see where our learning journey takes us next!

Week 4

Year 5 have had another fantastic week of learning, showing real focus, creativity, and enthusiasm across the curriculum. Here’s a closer look at what we’ve been up to:

English – We have been planning a diary entry that will allow us to showcase our learning and practise writing in role. The children have thought carefully about using emotive language and varying their sentence openers. They have brought their writing to life and I look forward to reading their independent work next week.

Maths – Our number work has taken us up to one million this week! The children have compared and ordered numbers up to 1,000,000 and tackled rounding to the nearest 10, 100, and 1,000. They’ve been challenged to build their reasoning and problem solving skills, helping to strengthen their understanding of place value.

PE – In PE, we have focused on developing our invasion skills through football and hockey. Pupils have been working on passing, defending, and teamwork strategies, learning the importance of communication and space on the pitch.

French – In French, we have continued building our vocabulary and confidence in speaking aloud, practising pronunciation and short conversational exchanges. The children are beginning to spell words independently.

Music – We explored the concept of compound time and how this changes the feel of music. Pupils also practised drawing musical notation accurately, improving both their understanding and their ability to record rhythms on paper.

Geography – Year 5 became travel agents this week! Each group worked hard to “sell” Europe as a must-visit destination, highlighting the continent’s amazing physical features. From mountain ranges and rivers to beaches and varied climates, the children used persuasive language to encourage visitors.

Science – Science saw us dive into a carousel of experiments all about forces, with a focus on water resistance and air resistance. The children tested predictions and explored how surface area affects speed when moving through air. It was a hands-on, investigative session that really got them thinking like scientists.

Computing – We have been learning how to carry out data searches effectively using search engines. Pupils practised refining their searches, identifying reliable information, and developing their skills as digital researchers.

It has been a week full of curiosity and creativity, and the children have really impressed us with their effort and enthusiasm.

Week 3

We’ve had another exciting and productive week in Year 5, filled with creativity, exploration and deep thinking across the curriculum!

In Maths, our focus has been on understanding place value in greater depth. The children have been learning how to find 10, 100, 1,000 and even 100,000 less than a given number. It's been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they tackle increasingly complex numerical patterns.

In English, we've been gathering content for our upcoming writing projects, with a particular focus on developing our use of emotion in narrative writing. Instead of simply telling the reader how a character feels, we’ve been learning how to show those feelings through body language, dialogue and descriptive detail. We’ve also worked on using cohesive devices to link our ideas across paragraphs, helping to build more fluent and engaging writing. The children's creativity and emotional insight are really starting to shine through!

In Music, we’ve taken our understanding of rhythm and notation to the next level. This week, we explored different time signatures and began composing our own short rhythms using crotchets, quavers and rests. The children showed great focus and musicality as they wrote their rhythms on staves, and we’re excited to begin crafting our soundscapes.

In Geography, we’ve been presenting our research on the human characteristics of Europe. Each group chose a country to focus on and shared what they had discovered about its land use, trade and types of settlements. The presentations were informative, well-researched and confidently delivered. Well done, Year 5 geographers!

In PE, we’ve been working on developing key skills in both football and hockey. Through a range of drills and small-sided games, we’ve practised dribbling, passing, shooting and defensive techniques. There’s been a real emphasis on teamwork, communication and fair play, which has made for some excellent sessions.

In RE, we had a very special visit from Reverend Ben, who came in to give an insightful talk, relating to our RE learning. It was a valuable opportunity to connect what we’ve been learning in class to real-world experiences, and we’re grateful to Rev Ben for sharing his time with us.

In Art, we began the exciting process of creating our own installation artwork. The children are exploring how art can be immersive and thought-provoking, and they have started designing and building pieces that express their ideas and themes. It’s been a fantastic start to what promises to be a very creative project.

We’re so proud of the energy, enthusiasm and effort the children have shown this week. Keep it up, Year 5!

Week 2 

We have embraced this week fantastically and are continuing to impress with our enthusiasm, curiosity, and hard work. 🌟 In English, we have continued to dive deeper into our class text, A Long Walk to Water. We have been inferring characters' thoughts and feelings as well as comparing our two main characters, and the work we have produced has been of such a high standard, showing real maturity and insight. In Maths, we have been developing our understanding of place value up to 1,000,000, using place value charts and Gattegno charts to help us represent, partition, and compare numbers. We have shown great focus and perseverance as we tackled these larger numbers with increasing confidence. In Geography, we located the capital cities of Europe and enjoyed exploring maps and atlases to discover where each country is and learning fascinating facts about some of these places. In Music, we learned how to build a piece of body percussion, thinking carefully about rhythm, tempo, and how sounds can layer together to create a performance. One of the highlights of this week has to be our exciting Science Show, where fantastic demonstrations illuminated how forces work in our world—we were captivated and asked excellent scientific questions throughout. In RE, we used Bibles to locate different books within the Old and New Testaments, and we explored the different genres found within the Bible, such as laws, letters, stories, poems, and songs, discussing how and why they were written. In Computing, we began learning about inputs and outputs in digital systems, exploring different devices, identifying which parts are inputs (such as keyboards and sensors) and which are outputs (like screens and speakers), and thinking about how they work together. In Art, we planned our own installation pieces in groups. We created floor plans to map out our ideas and chose from three exciting themes: beach, desert, or jungle. Next, we will be thinking about how to bring our ideas to life and create installation art within our chosen areas. In PSHE, we took part in a wonderful Coram workshop, which was very insightful. We learned and practised how to say no to our friends in an assertive but calm manner, building our confidence and decision-making skills. We are so proud of how engaged and focused we have been this week—well done, everyone! 🌟

Week 1

Year 5 have made a fantastic start to the new term and have settled back into school brilliantly! 🌟

In English, we’ve begun our exciting new unit based on the book A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. We’ve been using our prediction skills and building our schema to understand what life is like in Sudan. The children have also come up with some thoughtful questions about the characters and the story, showing great curiosity and engagement.

In Maths, we started by recapping our Year 4 knowledge of place value and Roman numerals. We then extended our learning to explore Roman numerals up to 1000—everyone has worked so hard and shown excellent progress already!

This week, we also explored installation art in our Art lessons. The children discovered that installation art is often:
✨ Large-scale
✨ Created with mixed media
✨ Sometimes temporary
✨ Influenced by its location as much as by the artwork itself
They’ve loved diving into their artwork, and it’s been such an inspiring start—we can’t wait to see where their creativity takes them next!

In RE, we recapped our previous learning about holy books and which religions they belong to. We spent time exploring the similarities and differences between them, and asked some really thoughtful, in-depth questions about what we’d like to find out next—both about holy books and other world faiths. The children showed great respect, curiosity, and enthusiasm during these discussions.

We also elected our new Values Committee members. It was a tough decision, as every child who gave a speech did an amazing job and fully deserved a place. We’re incredibly proud of all those who put themselves forward and showed such confidence and maturity.

We’re so impressed with the children’s attitude to learning and are really looking forward to all that this year has in store. It’s great to be back!