Year Group Updates - Years 4 & 6
Year 4 Update
Maths – We have been learning about decimals and how to calculate using a number line. The children are becoming more confident in understanding the value of digits and placing numbers accurately.
English – The children are completing their newspaper reports. They have been learning how to structure a newspaper article using the 5W strategy (who, what, when, where, why). Their writing is developing really well and we are looking forward to sharing their final pieces. 📰
Reading – We are coming to the end of The Spiderwick and most children have really enjoyed the story and shown a good understanding of the text. Please encourage your child to read at home every day. Even a short reading session is very beneficial if children are reading carefully and discussing what they have read. 📚
Science – The children created posters after completing their work on the classification of humans and animals. They worked very hard and showed a good understanding of the topic.
Art – Please have a look at the still-life drawings created using colour pencils and charcoal. The children have shown great creativity and effort. 🎨
History – We have been learning about crime and punishment during Victorian times and comparing it to today. The children have shown great interest in how rules and consequences have changed over time.
Handwriting – We are continuing to work on Nelson’s handwriting. The children’s handwriting during handwriting lessons is absolutely fantastic. However, many children are finding it difficult to transfer this neat handwriting into their work in other subjects. Please speak to your child about taking pride in the presentation of their work and not rushing.
Homework Reminder
Just a gentle reminder that homework is an important part of supporting your child’s learning and helping them consolidate what has been taught in school. We have noticed that some children are not completing their homework, including their online tasks. Regular practice at home helps children build confidence and make progress.
Please ensure your child is using:
- TT Rockstars (especially in preparation for the times tables test)
- Spell Shed
- MyMaths
- Oxford Reading Buddy
We really appreciate your support in helping your child stay on top of their homework each week. 🙏
Online Safety Reminder
Are you monitoring your child’s online activity? Please remember to regularly check what your child is doing online and who they are communicating with. We are seeing an increase in social media issues beginning to affect children’s learning and behaviour in school.
The minimum age to use WhatsApp in the UK is 13 (with parent-managed accounts available for children under 13). We are aware that some children are using WhatsApp and adding friends, which can sometimes lead to problems in school.
Regularly checking your child’s online activity and having open conversations about online behaviour can help keep them safe. 💻
Year 6 Update
Maths
Year 6 pupils have been working incredibly hard to strengthen their arithmetic skills, showing determination and resilience in every lesson. A key focus has been learning from mistakes—understanding that errors are an important part of the learning process. By reflecting on where they went wrong and trying new strategies, the children are building confidence and improving their accuracy across a range of calculations. It has been fantastic to see their positive attitudes and willingness to challenge themselves
English
Year 6 have been developing their narrative writing skills in English this week, focusing on planning, writing, editing and publishing a descriptive piece inspired by Macbeth. The children began by exploring powerful vocabulary and figurative language to write complex sentences that create atmosphere, before carefully planning their own ideas. They then drafted their descriptions, paying close attention to sentence structure and word choices, and worked thoughtfully to edit and improve their writing. Finally, they published their finished pieces, showcasing their creativity and growing confidence as writers.
PSHE
In PSHE, we have recently been focusing on helping children understand how to stay safe, healthy and emotionally well. We explored the idea that not all groups or “gangs” are the same, and discussed how to recognise safe friendships, avoid risky situations, and deal with pressure from others. We also learned about emotional and mental health, including how feelings can change, how to recognise early signs of worry or stress, and the importance of talking to trusted adults. More recently, we have been learning practical ways to manage stress and pressure, such as using positive coping strategies, looking after our wellbeing, and knowing where to go for support. These lessons aim to help children build confidence, make safe choices, and develop resilience as they prepare for secondary school.
