English

In lessons this half term we are writing non-chronological reports inspired by ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ and then we will move on to write travel guides related to our class country. We will practise using fronted adverbials and writing complex sentences with a variety of structures. Our learning will move on to choosing the correct level of formality in our writing. We will finish the half term with creative writing inspired by ‘The Arrival’ by Shaun Tan.

Maths

The children will be taught through our mastery programme which combines NCETM (National Curriculum for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) and White Rose materials. This term, the children will be exploring their understanding of place value. This will include reading, writing, ordering and comparing numbers to at least 1,000,000. We will move on to practise rounding any number up to 1,000,000 to the nearest 10, 100, 1000, 10 000 and 100 000 and we will also be working with negative numbers in context.

Science

Our topic for the term is ‘Properties and changes of materials’, which will involve learning about comparing and grouping together everyday materials; knowing that some materials will dissolve in liquid to form a solution; describing how to recover a substance from a solution; and using knowledge of solids, liquids and gases to decide how mixtures might be separated (through filtering, sieving and evaporating).

Geography

Our new unit is ‘Deserts’. Children will gain knowledge of the features of deserts, how they are formed and what lives there using a variety of case studies and examples. Children will also learn the human uses of deserts and the human impact on deserts. We will identify deserts all around the world, looking at maps, diagrams, globes and aerial photographs. We will finish the unit by comparing deserts across the world. 

History

We will be learning all about the Early Islamic Civilization in Baghdad during our history lessons this term. Children will gain knowledge of the city of Baghdad and how and why it was built in the way it was. We will explore how the people there were influenced by others, the discoveries they made themselves and the impact this had had on us today.

RE

We will be learning about Christianity this half term with a focus on ‘What does it mean to belong to a religion?’ We are excited that we will be visiting our local Greek Orthodox Church later in the term. A separate letter will be sent about this in the coming weeks.  

PSHE

We will begin by discussing our rights and responsibilities as a citizen of our country (and also as citizens of our school) in relation to our understanding of the British Values. We will move on to consider how our actions have an impact on those around us.

Computing

We will spend time building on our existing knowledge of online safety. As well as this, we will be learning about the history of computing and the effect of landmark moments in computing history on today’s world. An important part of this unit is learning about the lives and legacies of both Alan Turing and Ada Lovelace.

Art

In art, we will be using pencil to explore technical drawings with one and two point perspectives. We will investigate vanishing points in relation to the work of Charles Sheeler and use urban landscapes to inspire our own work.   

PE

Swimming

As part of the PE curriculum in Year 5, children are given the opportunity to attend swimming lessons which will be at Park Road Pool every Tuesday morning until the end of the Spring 1 term. For this they will require a swimming costume/trunks (no swimming shorts) and a towel. All children must have a swimming cap. Goggles are allowed, but are not compulsory. Please note the timings below for each of the classes and ensure children are in on time as we will be leaving promptly. This term, swimming will commence on Tuesday 15^th September 2026.

Swimming Timetable

Children who are not swimming or taking part in P.E. for health reasons, require a note to this effect.

Dance

In addition, the children will have a P.E. lesson every Monday for both Czech Republic and Portugal

This half term the children will be working on their dance skills (indoors). Please ensure that your child is wearing appropriate clothing on the days that they have PE lessons. Please note that P.E. timings are subject to change, but we will notify you in advance where possible.

Suggestions for parents

Maths – Please support your children with practising their times tables, recalling facts quickly in any order. As well as set assignments, explore other areas of Mathletics too.  

English – Please try to read with your child as often as you can and ask them questions about the text they are reading. Share stories and poetry at home. Don’t forget to include reading non-fiction and information texts e.g. signs, maps, catalogues and cereal packets.

Computing – Discuss e-safety with your children to reinforce the safety messages we give at school.

Art– Visit one of the many free art galleries in London! These include: Tate Britain, Tate Modern and The National Gallery. Discuss the key vocabulary of foreground, middle ground and background when you are out and about!

PE – Discuss the musical genres that you enjoy listening to at home and enjoy dancing around to them! Before the nights draw in, get out and about to play physical games and enjoy the facilities that our local parks have to offer.