Year 6

Year 6

Year 6 is an exciting year at Thornbury Primary School as we encourage the children to be more responsible and independent in their learning. This year is important in beginning to prepare the children for the transition to secondary school. There is a focus on team building and working co-operatively with their class members. We strongly believe that these skills are vitally important in helping pupils become ready for secondary education and beyond. If you would like to contact your child's class teacher, you are welcome to talk to them at drop off and pick up times or contact them at the school email address. 

General Information

What do I need to bring to school? 

School Bag:

All children require a school bag which they will need to bring every day.

Water bottle:

All children to bring a clear plastic, medium sized, bottle of water. Please can we ask for no metal bottles. 

Fruit & Snack:

All children in Year 5 and 6 are invited to bring a piece of fruit from home for their morning playtime snack if they wish.  On Fridays, we are happy for this to be a fruit-based snack (yoghurt covered raisins etc) as an end of week treat. 

Milk

If you would like your child to have a carton of milk at snack time, please order this through www.coolmilk.com. 

Important information

PE Days: Tuesday and Thursday

Reading:

In school, we complete a range of reading activities throughout the week, including having a class book/s and a reading comprehension practice. The focus for these is to continually extend the children’s sight vocabulary, developing reading fluency and comprehension of texts read. We are passionate about children developing a love of reading; we ask that families read with and hear their children read or encourage their child to read independently for the equivalent of approx. 1 and ½ hours weekly.

Home Learning: 

Following parent and carer feedback, we now send home an optional homework grid three times a year (Autumn, Spring and Summer terms). The grid includes weekly spelling, reading advice and maths activities. Alongside this, we share an overview of cross-curricular activities for the term. These give children the opportunity to choose which tasks they would like to complete. We set dates for when any completed work should be returned, and children are then given the chance to showcase their learning. We have spoken to the children about how homework supports and strengthens their learning. To encourage participation, and to prepare them for KS3, any homework submitted either via Dojo or in class, will earn Dojo points as a reward. Although homework is not compulsory, we strongly recommend that children continue to practise their weekly spellings in preparation for the spelling test each Friday.

Online Resources: 

You will find your login details for the following site at the front of your reading diary. 

Times Tables Rockstars: www.ttrockstars.com

Spelling Shed: www.spellingshed.com

Language Angels: www.languageangels.com

Curriculum- Yearly overview of topics

Topics Covered Throughout the Year:

• • Autumn Term: Science - What makes things move? How can we use forces to make things move efficiently? PSHE – Health and wellbeing & Families and Relationships. PE – Handball & hockey, basketball & gymnastic. Computing – E-Safety. Communication & Collaboration. History – How was Plymouth impacted by the 2^nd World War? Geography – How can landscapes be dangerous? DT – Structures Anderson Shelters. MFL – Phonics. Music – rhythm. RE – Why do Hindus want to be good? How do Christians decide to live and what would Jesus do? Art – Portraits.
  • Spring Term: Geography – Why is Greece a popular tourist destination? Art – Painting Georgia O’Keefe. Science – How can we design a circuit that does exactly what we need it to do? How does our place in the universe effect life on earth? MFL -My Home. Computing – Selection & physical computing. Variable in games. PSHE – Families & relationships. Safety and the changing body. RE – What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today? Why do Christians believe. PE – Tag rugby, Dance, OAA, athletics. History – How is the Greek legacy impacted on the world we live in today? DT – Mechanisms and electrical systems.  
  • Summer Term: Geography – How is climate change affecting the world? DT – Nutrition Pizza. Science – Do all living things grow and change in the same way? French – At school. Computing – Video production. PSHE – Citizenship, RE –What does it mean for Christians believe that God is holy and loving. History – Was the British Empire beneficial to Victorian Britian? Art – Printing, William Morris. Science – How do living things make sure life continues? Music – Animal Kingdom. Computing – Web creation. PSHE – Economic wellbeing. RE - Why is the Torah important for Jewish people?

Autumn Term:

In Maths this term, we will start by covering all the main arithmetic topics, to ensure children have a solid understanding of the four basic mathematical operations. This will include place value, cube and square numbers, long multiplication and division and short division to name a few. We hope this will give children the confidence to answer a wide range of arithmetic problems. We will also learn about fractions through ordering and converting them.

Literacy:

This term, pupils will engage with a rich blend of genres and texts that develop creativity, confidence, and deeper understanding in their reading and writing.

We begin by exploring innovated fairy tales, where pupils study traditional story structures before adapting them with their own twists. This unit helps children understand narrative features while encouraging imaginative storytelling and strong descriptive writing.

Pupils will then move on to writing a biography of an inspirational scientist. Through research, note-taking, and structured writing, they will learn how to present factual information clearly, celebrate significant achievements, and understand how individuals have contributed to scientific progress.

Later in the term, pupils will create emotive writing inspired by World War II, linking closely with their History learning. They will explore personal perspectives, powerful vocabulary, and historical context to understand how writing can express feeling, empathy, and human experience during a challenging period in history.

Science:

In our Science unit, we’re investigating the different forces that affect how things move. We’ll learn about Isaac Newton’s discoveries and explore forces such as gravity, friction, air resistance, and upthrust. Through hands-on experiments, we’ll find out how these forces affect movement.

History:

In History this term, we will be focusing how Plymouth was impacted by World War II. With Plymouth’s naval history – we can see how events such as the Blitz have changed our city over time. A school trip to RAF Harrowbeer immerses the children into Plymouth in the 1940’s and they will get to experience Air raid shelters and sirens.

Geography:

In Geography, we will be looking at how land shifts are formed and why they are dangerous especially focusing on the tectonic plates and the effect of these constantly moving. We look at and shifts such as tsunamis and earthquakes and use real sources to investigate effects of these on countries. We will be completing some fieldwork at Bircham Valley.

Art:

In Art, we start Autumn with looking at Pablo Picasso and how he uses colour and tone to convey emotions. We particularly will look at his Blue Period- which was a time of great sadness in his life. After learning new water colour skills, we will focus on drawing our own portrait. Then we will use everything we have learned for our final piece; our portrait using colour and tone to represent our emotions.

D&T:

In design and technology this term, the children will be looking at the structure of Anderson Shelters, linked to their WW2 project in history. The children will learn what they were and why they were needed, and will design their own Anderson Shelters, using a range of materials. We will plan, make and evaluate our shelters to test their purpose.

Music:

‍In Music this Autumn term, we will be focusing on World War II. We will listen to a range of music performed during this time, paying attention to key features such as expression and dynamics. The children will also have the opportunity to write their own lyricsand create a melody. The children will then have the opportunity to perform their own musical piece to their peers.

RE -

In RE this term, we start with our topic on Hinduism and answering our enquiry question on why Hindu’s want to be good? Our second unit, after the half term focuses on Christianity – How do Christians decide to live? What would Jesus do?

Computing

E-Safety

This half term, Year 6 have been developing their understanding of how to stay safe and responsible online. Pupils explored:

• How to create strong, secure passwords

• How to recognise reliable and unreliable online information

• Strategies for dealing with cyberbullying or upsetting content

• Why personal information must be protected

• How to communicate respectfully and responsibly in online spaces

We also discussed the importance of thinking critically about what we see online and checking information using trusted sources.

Systems and Searching

Children investigated how computer systems connect and work together. They learned:

• What a system is, and how digital systems rely on inputs, processes and outputs

• How large networks such as the internet are structured

• How search engines work, including indexing, crawling and ranking

• How to search efficiently using keywords, filters and operators

Pupils carried out practical tasks comparing different search queries to understand how small changes affect the results they receive.

Communication and Collaboration – Focus on Web Pages

Our final topic this term introduced pupils to how digital content—especially web pages—is created and shared. Year 6 explored:

• The key features of a web page (text, images, hyperlinks, layout)

• How information is organised and presented online

• How to work collaboratively to plan and build a simple web page

• How to evaluate whether a website is clear, accessible and purposeful

Using safe, child-friendly tools, pupils designed their own web pages to share information. They practised working in pairs and small groups, giving constructive feedback and improving their designs based on criteria such as clarity, readability and navigation.

PE:

In PE, the children will learn how to play two sports in Autumn term 1; hockey & handball, and in Autumn term 2, they will learn how to perform in gymnastics and play basketball. The children will develop their knowledge and skills in these areas, as well as learning how to be tactical in game environments.  

Spring Term

In Maths this term, we will cover many different units. These will include:

• Multiplication & division

• Fractions

• Decimals

• Area, perimeter and volume

• Fractions, decimals and percentages

Literacy:

This term, pupils will explore a rich and creative range of texts and writing opportunities. We begin with poetry inspired by The Lost Words, using vivid language and imagery to reconnect with the natural world. Children will also respond to the short film “Paraphernalia”, developing their inference skills and learning how visual stories can spark powerful writing.

Building on our History learning, pupils will study the features of Greek myths, analysing their characters, settings, and themes. They will then apply these techniques to craft their own mythological stories. To deepen their descriptive and narrative skills further, pupils will design and write about their own imagined island, using detailed vocabulary and creative world-building to bring their setting to life.

This unit supports pupils in developing confidence, creativity, and control as writers, while broadening their appreciation of poetry, storytelling, and visual literacy.

Science:

In the Spring term our Science first unit will be investigating how electrical circuits work, learning to build and test our own designs to make bulbs light up, motors spin and buzzers sound. We will discover how changing different components can make circuits work the way we need them to. We will then move onto exploring space and discovering how Earth’s position in the solar system makes life possible. By the end of the unit, we’ll have a better understanding of how our amazing universe helps keep life on Earth thriving.

History:

In this unit, pupils explore Ancient Greece, one of the world’s most influential civilisations. Children learn how Greek ideas about democracy, philosophy, architecture, sport, and storytelling continue to shape the modern world. Through studying key aspects of Greek life and culture, pupils discover how this remarkable civilisation has left a lasting legacy that can still be seen in our society today. This topic helps pupils understand how past civilisations contribute to the world we live in and deepens their knowledge of our substantive concept: Civilisation.

Geography:

Our enquiry question in Geography in the Spring term will be: Why is Greece a popular tourist destination? Here we will look at human features like the Parthenon and physical features like the mountains and islands. This links to our History unit focusing on ancient Greece.

Art:

During the spring term, we shall be focussing on Georgia O’Keeffe. The children will explore her distinctive style, focusing on her bold use of colour, and her famous paintings of flowers and their natural forms. Whilst exploring her work, we shall look at how she created mood and impact through using scale, texture, and blending techniques. The children will experiment with different painting skills, such as colour mixing, shading, and creating smooth gradients to replicate Georgia O’Keeffe’s soft, flowing style. They will also learn how artists use composition and focal points to draw attention to specific details.

D&T:

In design and technology this term, the children will be learning all about mechanisms and electrical systems. They will be designing moon buggies using microbits programmed to send a message to aliens!

Music:

‍In Music, our topic will be Planets. The children will be composing music inspired by the planets Mars, Venus, and Mercury. They will also listen pieces of Music by Gustav Holst, John Williams, and Mike Oldfield, exploring how each composer creates atmosphere and character through music.

The children will learn how interrelated dimensions of music, such as tempo, dynamics, pitch, and texture can be used to create a specific effect. We will also be exploring chords, as well as tonality, to help develop their understanding of how different sounds can create different moods and emotion.

PSHE:

In the Spring term we will be looking at the Safety and the Changing Body in PSHE. Here the Year 5 and Year 6 will have separate lessons. The Year 5s looking at menstruation and puberty and the Year 6s will focus on conception and how the body changes during puberty. Both year groups will focus on peer pressure and the risks of drugs and alcohol

RE:

In the Spring term, we will be focusing on the question: “What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today?”
During this unit, the children will learn about the key beliefs and practices of Islam, including the Five Pillars, prayer, and the importance of community. They will explore what daily life looks like for Muslims and how their faith influences their choices, values, and celebrations. After half term, we shall focus on “Why do Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah?” The children will explore Christian beliefs about Jesus, looking at stories from the Bible that explain why Christians see him as the promised Messiah. They will explore themes such as hope, salvation, and prophecy, and consider how these beliefs shape the lives and traditions of Christians.

Computing:

This term, Year 5 & 6 have been exploring physical computing, learning how computers can interact with the real world. Pupils focused on:

• Understanding what physical computing is and how devices can take inputs and produce outputs

• Programming microcontrollers or simple circuits to control LEDs, motors, or sensors

• Using logical reasoning to plan and test sequences of commands

• Debugging their programs to fix errors and improve performance

Through hands-on projects, pupils saw how software and hardware work together, creating interactive devices that respond to their instructions.

Programming: Variables in Games

In the second part of the term, Year 5 & 6 learned how variables are used in games to make them dynamic and interactive. Pupils explored:

• What a variable is and how it stores information that can change

• Using variables to track scores, lives, or player progress

• Controlling game behaviour using conditional statements (if/then) and loops

• Testing and refining their games to ensure they work as intended

Children applied their understanding of variables to design and program simple games, learning how small changes in code can create exciting new features.

In PE, the children will cover two topics in Spring term 1; tag rugby and dance, and in Spring term 2, they will learn how to perform in athletics and navigate outdoor activities. The children will develop their knowledge and skills in these areas, as well as learning how to be tactical in game environments.  

Summer Term

In Maths this term, we will cover many different units. These will include:

• Ratio

• Algebra

• Shape

• Position and direction

• Statistics  

• Converting units

Literacy:

This term, pupils will explore a diverse collection of texts that develop their reading, writing, and analytical skills while linking closely to our wider curriculum learning.

We begin with “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, where pupils investigate how mood, rhythm, and repetition create atmosphere in poetry. They will explore the poem’s mysterious themes and experiment with writing their own atmospheric verse.

Pupils will then study Harry Potter: A History of Magic, using this rich non-fiction text to deepen their research skills, expand their understanding of myth and folklore, and explore how authors draw on historical ideas to shape fantasy worlds.

Linked to our Victorian History unit, pupils will read Street Child, develop empathy and understand of life in Victorian Britain. Through this novel, children will learn to analyse character, setting, and themes while discussing the social issues of the time.

Finally, we will study The Ice Bear, a beautifully written and illustrated text that encourages pupils to explore descriptive language, symbolism, and environmental themes. This text will inspire creative writing that focuses on atmosphere, character, and the natural world.

Across the term, pupils will continue to build their confidence as readers and writers, engaging with poetry, fiction, and non-fiction while making meaningful links with our curriculum themes.

Science:

In our first Summer Science unit, we’re learning about how living things grow, change, and develop throughout their lives. We’ll explore the life cycles of different animals and plants, compare how they change as they grow, and discover the amazing ways living things are suited to their environments. We will then move onto we’re finding out how living things reproduce and ensure their species survives.

History:

This term, pupils will explore the Victorian era, a period of major change and innovation in Britain. Our learning focuses on the reign of Queen Victoria, whose long rule shaped the country’s identity and influenced the lives of millions of people.

Children will investigate what life was like in Victorian Britain, examining how new inventions, growing cities, and changes in work transformed society. A key part of the unit explores the British Empire, helping pupils understand how and why it expanded, and the impact it had both in Britain and across the world.

Through studying real people, events, and sources from the time, pupils will develop their understanding of how power, innovation, and global connections shaped this influential period of history. By the end of the unit, pupils will have a clearer picture of how the Victorian era helped form modern Britain and why Queen Victoria remains such a significant historical figure.

Geography:  

In our Geography unit, we’re learning about what climate change is and how it’s impacting our planet. We’llexplore the causes of global warming, look at how different places and people around the world are being affected, and discover what we can do to help protect our environment. By the end of the unit, we’ll understand why climate change matters and how everyone can play a part in looking after our world.

Art:

In the summer term our topic will be Printing inspired by William Morris. The children will learn about the life and work of William Morris, focusing on his detailed patterns and his influence on the Arts and Crafts movement. They will explore how Morris used nature, such as flowers, leaves, and vines as inspiration for his repeating designs.

The children will experiment with different printing techniques, including block printing and creating repeating patterns. They will learn how to design their own motifs, with printing blocks, and use colour thoughtfully to reflect Morris’s traditional style.

D&T:

In design and technology this term, the children will be looking at foods from around the world! They will research different pizzas, evaluating them as they go and will use this research to design and make their very own pizzas!

PE:

During the summer term, in PE, Year 5 will complete their swimming lessons at the Life Centre. The children will prepare for Sports Fest, by practising the events they will take part in. They will also develop their skills in tennis and cricket, developing their tactical awareness in each of these games.  

Music

‍During the summer term, our topic will be Animal Kingdom, the children will explore harmony, beginning with intervals and then expanding their understanding to include chords. The children will listen to and compare a range of 20^thcentury composers, focusing on how the use of chords and intervals can create different effects and emotions within music. Once the children have developed these skills, they will begin composing their own pieces, using their understanding of harmony to guide their musical choices. They will also learn to listen carefully to their own work and their peersdeveloping their musical awareness and confidence.

PSHE:

In the summer term, our PSHE units will explore what it means to be a good citizen and how we can make a positive difference in our community. We’re exploring how rules, rights, and responsibilities help everyone live and work together. We’ll also start to understand how money is earned, spent, and saved, and how to make sensible choices about it. By the end of the units, we’ll know more about how to take care of ourselves, others, and the world around us

RE:

In this unit, our big question will be “What does it mean for Christians to believe that God is holy and loving?” We shall explore the Christian belief that God is both holy, powerful, loving, caring, forgiving, and compassionate. We shall look at Bible stories and teachings that show these qualities and consider how these beliefs influence the way Christians live their lives. The children will also reflect on how ideas of love, kindness, justice, and forgiveness shape Christian values and behaviour. After half term, our big question shall be:  Why is the Torah important for Jewish people? The children will learn about the Torah and will explore its role as a guide for Jewish life. The children will learn how the Torah is treated with great respect, and why it is considered a precious link to Jewish history, identity, and tradition.  

Computing:

Digital Video

This term, pupils in Year 5 and Year 6 explored digital video creation, learning how to plan, record, and edit their own short films. They focused on:

• Planning a sequence of shots and creating storyboards

• Using cameras and microphones effectively to capture clear visuals and sound

• Editing video clips, adding transitions, text, and sound effects

• Working collaboratively to produce a polished final video

• Evaluating their work and the work of others to suggest improvements

Through this unit, pupils developed creativity, technical skills, and teamwork, while learning how to communicate ideas visually.

Web Creation

In addition, children investigated web creation, discovering how websites are planned, designed, and shared. Pupils explored:

• The key elements of a web page: text, images, hyperlinks, and layout

• How to organise information clearly and purposefully for users

• Safe and responsible online publishing

• Working collaboratively to design and create simple web pages

• Evaluating web pages for clarity, accessibility, and usability

By the end of the unit, pupils had created their own web pages to present information, demonstrating both technical skills and creative design.

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