In English this term, our lessons will focus on developing creativity, critical thinking, and advanced language skills. We will be studying ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ in whole class reading sessions, exploring its themes, characters, and language. The children will use what they learn from the novel to inspire their own writing projects, including portal narrative stories and persuasive adverts. Throughout the term, we will build essential writing techniques such as pathetic fallacy, multi-clause sentences, hyperbole, rhetorical questions, personification, similes, and metaphors. Our aim is to help the children become confident readers and writers who can express their ideas creatively and persuasively.

In Maths this term, our focus will be on mastering fractions and advanced calculation methods. The children will learn how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions with increasing confidence, using clear steps and practical examples. We will also be tackling long division and long multiplication, practising methods for multiplying and dividing by two-digit numbers. These skills will help the children become fluent mathematicians who can solve problems efficiently, explain their reasoning, and approach challenges with resilience and enthusiasm.

In Art, we will explore famous London buildings like the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey. He children will learn how these buildings mix gothic and classical styles, looking out for big windows, pointed arches, and grand columns! We will compare these buildings to ones in our local area, spotting similar features, before completing some detailed drawings of these buildings, building on their earlier art lessons and seeing how their skills have grown. The class will also learn about Victorian artists called the Pre-Raphaelites, who wanted their paintings to look real and carefully observed. We will also look at paintings like ‘Ophelia’ by Millais and ‘The Annunciation’ by Rossetti, before trying watercolour painting themselves, learning new techniques and experimenting with colour. 

In Science, our focus will be on electricity. We will build on our learning around electricity from previous years, covering the basics such as: how electricity flows in a circuit, how switches turn things on and off, and how batteries provide the ‘push’ (voltage) that moves electricity. We will learn that adding more batteries can make things like bulbs shine brighter. The children will use symbols to draw circuits and learn why switches are important for saving energy and safety. We will also hear about Alessandro Volta (the inventor of the battery) and his connection to Napoleon Bonaparte. By the end of the unit, children will design and build their own simple electrical device - like an alarm - using wires, batteries, buzzers, and switches.

In History, the children will start by recalling what they learned about World War I, then move on to the start of World War II. We will investigate when and where it happened, and who was involved. The children will use maps to see where battles took place and learn about the countries involved, understanding that this was a ‘world’ war. The class will look closely at the Battle of Britain (fought in the skies) and the Blitz (when Germany bombed British cities). They’ll also discuss the role of the British Empire and overseas pilots, using real historical sources. Finally, the children will explore what life was like for people at home during the war, including how local landmarks might have been affected by the Blitz. 

Finally, in RE we will be exploring the thought-provoking question: Do people always put their beliefs into action? To help us reflect on this, we will first consider the concept of justice and what it means in everyday life. We will then use the case study of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, examining its significance and the response of the Welsh artist, John Petts, whose stained-glass window became a symbol of hope and solidarity. Through this story, we will ask philosophical questions about how beliefs can inspire people to act, sometimes for good and sometimes with unintended consequences. Throughout the unit, we will make connections to Christianity and teachings in the Bible, encouraging the children to think deeply about how faith and values can influence choices and actions.