This term will be full of lots of exciting learning across the curriculum subjects.

In English, we will be continuing to explore Animal Farm by George Orwell. This book contains a lot of ambitious themes, which we will be exploring carefully through our guided reading sessions. We will think about previous work we have carried out around Communism, Socialism and Democracy, before exploring how these ideas are discussed within the story itself. We will look carefully at the situation in Russia during the time this book was written, considering the Russian Revolution and the overthrowing of Tsar Nicholas II and then looking at what George Orwell had to say about this situation through his story. In our writing sessions, we will begin to look at writing our own version of an allegory by the end of the term. We will build up to this through lessons exploring the following skills: use of metaphor in writing, personification, similes, varying types of conjunctions, complex sentence structure, use of characterisation and description through use of vocabulary and ‘show not tell’. Once we have completed our allegories, we will start to explore some poetry, thinking about how the use of imagery within poetry can help the poet tell stories and convey messages to the reader.

In Maths, we’re wrapping things up for the year by diving into a variety of interesting topics. The children will explore proportion, time, timetables, bar graphs, pie charts, and even the concept of mean. We will continue to cycle back and review our work on addition, subtraction, multiplication and division while building on this prior knowledge to extend our written methods. To bring it all together, we will focus on problem-solving and reasoning skills, using what the children have learned to tackle challenges and think critically. It’s all about preparing the children to apply their mathematical knowledge in real-world situations.

In History, the children are building on their learning from World War I by exploring democracy in Britain up to the 19th century. They’ll look at how voting was limited to wealthy men and how campaigns worked to extend voting rights to more men and eventually some women. The children will learn about the efforts of groups like Millicent Fawcett’s National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies and Emmeline Pankhurst’s Women’s Social and Political Union, alongside why some people, including Queen Victoria, opposed women voting. They’ll compare these views and use primary sources to understand what people thought and felt at the time, encouraging them to think critically about perspectives from history.

In Science, the children will dive into the fascinating world of meteorology – that’s the study of weather! They'll learn about big ideas like weather, climate, atmosphere, and forecasts, which will help them think like real meteorologists by analysing data and diagrams to draw logical conclusions. They will explore how weather happens because our planet is surrounded by layers of air called the atmosphere. They'll also hear about the ozone layer, including the discovery of a hole in it back in 1976 caused by certain chemicals from man-made products. Building on what they learned previously about the Industrial Revolution, they’ll see how population growth and industrialisation have impacted ozone levels in the Northern Hemisphere. To round everything off, the children will discover that the UK has six air masses that shape the weather and that our climate is called a maritime climate because the sea plays a big role. 

In Design Technology, we will get hands-on by creating our very own bag, which they can decorate with appliqué or embroidery and finish with a plaited handle. Whether the bag is for themselves, a family member, or a friend, they’ll develop a whole range of skills. They’ll start by researching and exploring decoration methods and bag designs, thinking about materials and features. Then, they’ll move on to designing their bag with criteria in mind—like who it’s for, how it will be used, and making it both functional and appealing. With annotated drawings to guide them, the children will dive into the making process, mastering skills such as cutting shapes, pinning, threading a needle, tying knots, stitching (like backstitch and whipstitch), and embellishing with embroidery or appliqué. They’ll even plait the bag’s handle! Finally, they’ll evaluate their creations by writing about their work, taking photos, and even sharing peer feedback—comparing their bags to their criteria and existing products. 

In Geography, the children are becoming geographers as they dive into mapping, fieldwork, and data analysis. They’ll explore maps of the local area, sketch their own maps, and learn how to collect and analyse data like real geographers. We’ll make this unit relevant to our school’s local context by focusing on an important local issue. The children will gather data, present it visually in graphs, and even write to a local councillor with their findings and suggestions for solving the problem—it’s hands-on learning with a real-world impact. This unit builds on the map-drawing skills they’ve been developing in previous lessons and ties into their maths knowledge by applying data skills in a geographical way. Plus, it’s a great stepping stone for further study, where they’ll look at big topics like litter, air pollution, and climate change across the UK. 

In Art, the children will be exploring the fascinating world of photography. They'll get creative and hands-on, learning how to develop their techniques and master the use of different materials while experimenting with various styles. They'll start with the beginnings of photography, exploring Victorian portraits, and move on to understand how photography evolved over time. Along the way, they’ll discover how cameras work and try their hand at photographing people, editing photos, and even experimenting with abstract photography. They'll also use their sketchbooks to jot down their observations and revisit their ideas, all while learning about some of the great artists and designers in history. 

In RE this term, we're diving into the big question: "Why do Humanists say happiness is the goal of life?" The children will explore this fascinating idea through an enquiry-based approach. They'll start by thinking about what happiness looks like in their own lives and the world around them. Then, they'll delve into Humanism, discovering how this philosophy connects to the idea of happiness. Along the way, they'll learn about Humanist texts and quotes, life ceremonies (like weddings or naming ceremonies), and how Humanists make decisions in everyday life. To wrap it all up, the children will reflect on everything they've learned and share their own thoughts about this key concept. It’s a journey that will get them thinking deeply and engaging with big ideas in a meaningful way.