In English, we are following the Pathways to Write programme with our core text Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg. The children will be working towards writing a series of diary entries about significant events in Annie’s life, exploring her feelings, viewpoints, and motivations. They will develop their writing skills by learning how to engage the reader through description, emotions, and opinions, as well as by using rhetorical questions, first person, and consistent tense. We will also focus on key grammar features such as using a variety of verb forms, fronted adverbials, and commas to clarify meaning or avoid ambiguity. 

Key Vocabulary: recount, chronology, rhetorical question, audience, purpose, fronted adverbial, progressive tense, perfect tense, emotions.

In Mathematics, we are beginning with White Rose Block 1, which focuses on place value and securing understanding of numbers up to 1,000,000. Children will learn how to read, write, order and compare numbers, round numbers to the nearest 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000 and 100,000, and recognise Roman numerals up to 1,000. They will also deepen their understanding of place value by exploring partitioning, powers of ten and the value of digits within larger numbers. Throughout the unit, pupils will be challenged to explain their mathematical reasoning and apply their knowledge to multi-step problems. 

Key Vocabulary: digit, value, place value, partition, greater than, less than, ascending, descending, round, estimate, multiple, factor, Roman numerals.

In Humanities this block, our Geography focus is North America, where children will develop their understanding of this vast and diverse continent. They will begin by identifying the 23 countries of North America, including areas such as Central America and the Caribbean, and locating them on a map. The children will then investigate and compare different climate zones across the continent, using graphs and charts to examine patterns in places such as Canada, Mexico and the United States. They will go on to explore both physical features, such as the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls, and human features, including the Hoover Dam and the Panama Canal, learning how these features were formed and why they are significant. 

Key Vocabulary: continent, region, climate, climate zone, time zone, human geography, physical geography, landmark, feature, comparison, diversity, map, atlas.

In Science, our topic for this block is Forces, studied through the White Rose scheme. Children will investigate how forces affect movement and explore gravity, air resistance, water resistance, and friction through a range of experiments. They will also learn how mechanisms such as levers, pulleys and gears make work easier and more efficient. This unit will give pupils opportunities to develop their scientific enquiry skills by making predictions, planning fair tests, recording results and evaluating outcomes. 

Key Vocabulary: force, gravity, friction, air resistance, water resistance, mechanisms, lever, pulley, gear, surface, motion.

In PSHE, we follow the Jigsaw curriculum, and this term’s focus is Being Me in My World. Children will reflect on their own identity and their place within the school and wider community. They will consider their responsibilities as Year 5 pupils, exploring how their actions contribute to a positive learning environment and how they can work collaboratively with others. Pupils will also learn about the importance of setting personal goals, facing challenges with resilience, and understanding how their choices can affect both themselves and others.

Key Vocabulary: community, responsibility, collaboration, resilience, empathy, respect, rights, choices, consequences, teamwork, identity, belonging, goals.

In Year 5, we are building a rich vocabulary to support reading, writing and discussion. This block, our focus words link closely to our English text Queen of the Falls. Children will explore their meanings, practise using them in sentences, and apply them in their speaking and writing. Pupils will explore the meaning of each word, how it can be used in sentences, and develop strategies for spelling and remembering unfamiliar vocabulary. 

Vocabulary: restless, fearless, outstretched, visible, cascading, plunge, pounding, hypnotised, survive/survival, adjusted, discombobulation, spectators, remarkable, locomotive, handkerchiefs, barrel, lecture halls, currents, downriver, shoreline, widow, rapids, waterfall.

We encourage parents to talk about these words at home and use them in conversation, helping children to deepen their understanding and confidence.

In Block 1, students review Years 3–6 word lists before focusing on key spelling patterns and rules. They learn to double the final consonant when adding -ed and -ing to words ending in a single vowel plus consonant if the final syllable is stressed (e.g. admit → admitting), but not if it is unstressed (profit → profiting). They explore adding -ly to form adverbs, remembering the rules: just add -ly (quick → quickly), change y to i (happy → happily), change -le to -ly (simple → simply), or add -ally (tragic → tragically). They practise dropping the final e before adding -ed/-ing (interfere → interfering) and changing y to i before -ed but not -ing (occupy → occupied). For contractions, they apply apostrophes to show missing letters (do not → don’t) and note that modal verbs with have become should’ve, would’ve, etc. Finally, they investigate tricky vowel patterns: the /eɪ/ sound spelt ei, eigh, ey (e.g. eight, they, obey) and the versatile ough letter string, which represents different sounds in words like rough, though, through, plough, and thorough.

In Year 5, home learning is designed to reinforce key skills while promoting independence and positive learning habits. Reading remains our top priority, and children are encouraged to read at least five times per week, recording each activity in their Reading Log. They are also asked to complete one entry each week in their Writing Log, which will be checked at the end of each block. In Mathematics, a MyMaths task will be set every Tuesday, with pupils encouraged to also practise regularly on MyMaths and TT Rockstars to strengthen fluency. Home learning is encouraged but not compulsory; instead, effort and commitment are celebrated through Reading Star and Writing Star awards at the end of the year.

In Computing, our topic for this block is We are Game Developers. In this unit, children take on the role of budding game designers as they plan and create their own simple computer game. They begin by analysing existing games and planning their own ideas. Then move on to designing characters & backgrounds, and sourcing or creating the necessary assets. Using Scratch, they develop a working prototype of their game, which they then refine by debugging and improving their scripts. Through testing and feedback, children enhance their games further and finally write clear game instructions before publishing and sharing their finished creations.

Key vocabulary: Algorithm, Background, Bug, Code, Debug, Iterative development, Logical reasoning, Program, Scratch, Sprite

Children explore identity through creative self-portraits. They experiment with paint, collage, texture, and layering techniques, drawing inspiration from diverse artists. The unit encourages expressive mark-making, composition skills, and personal storytelling, helping pupils represent themselves using bold, imaginative visual language.

Key Vocabulary: creativity, experimentation, technique, control, materials, sketchbook, observation, drawing, painting, sculpture, texture, form, colour, composition, artist

This Charanga unit uses Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer to develop listening, singing, and performance skills. Pupils explore 1980s rock style, instruments, and song structure, while practising pitch, rhythm, and ensemble playing. Activities include singing, glockenspiels or percussion, and improvisation, leading to a lively final class performance.

Key Vocabulary: rock, 1980s, instruments, structure, pitch, rhythm, ensemble, singing, glockenspiel, percussion, improvisation, performance, chorus, verse, dynamics

Using the picture book Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg, students explore themes of bravery and ambition through performance, role play, and storytelling. They will develop vocal expression and staging techniques.

Key Vocabulary: bravery, ambition, performance, role play, storytelling, character, expression, voice, staging, movement, emotion, narration, audience, confidence, imagination

Children explore magnets and forces through movement, investigating attraction, repulsion, pushing, and pulling. They use contrasting dynamics, energy, and spatial relationships to create sequences individually, in pairs, and in groups. The session develops coordination, creativity, and teamwork, reinforcing scientific ideas before concluding with performances that illustrate invisible forces expressively.

Key Vocabulary: magnets, forces, attraction, repulsion, push, pull, dynamics, energy, space, sequence, coordination, creativity, teamwork, performance, expression

Athletics: Pupils refine running, jumping, and throwing techniques, with greater focus on speed, stamina, and accuracy. They learn to record results, compare performances, and identify ways to improve.

Key vocabulary: technique, stamina, speed, accuracy, measuring, recording, improvement 

All students will take part in a fortnightly swimming lesson designed to build both confidence and enjoyment in the water. Our programme follows a structured level system that ensures steady progression, tailored to each child’s ability. Alongside stroke development, children also learn important water safety and personal survival skills. We aim for every child to leave Junior School as a competent, confident swimmer with the skills to participate safely in a range of aquatic environments.