Many parents ask us about how spelling lessons work at FPJS and what they can do to help. This year, we are adapting our approach to allow more time for children to explore the rules and patterns of spelling in lessons to support long-term learning in memory. Although there are some national expectations of words to be "learnt" by the end of Year 3/4 and Y5/6 (which can be found in the back of the home-school diary), research shows us that learning many specific words for a test doesn't always translate into long-term learning. This means a child may be able to memorise a correct spelling for a test, but cannot reliably spell the word correctly in other writing contexts. Instead, exploring rules and patterns with the children so they can apply this knowledge to unfamiliar words often gives children the best tools for long-term learning and the confidence to tackle new, more ambitious vocabulary.

All teaching teams will now be communicating to parents via Seesaw the rule or pattern for the week with a suggested list of words for children to practice. These will be differentiated to support children who find spelling more difficult, but will also give opportunities for further challenges for children who have a natural flair for spelling. We still feel that a weekly focus and the ability to practice, learn and be tested is important and so children will be involved in spelling "quizzes" to see if they have retained the learning by being able to spell words which fit the pattern or rule. There will at times be some words you simply have to learn by rote that don't fall into a rule or pattern or are particularly tricky. Teachers will give children hints and tips on ways to do this as part of the lessons.

The space in the home-school diary for spellings will instead be used as a personal spelling area for children to write common words which they often spell incorrectly (as directed by the teacher). This means there will not always be spellings in this area weekly and that it will be used to support your child as and when it is required.

Parents can help support their children by ensuring they practice these spellings regularly. We do know that some children struggle with spellings and need regular revision of previously taught rules and sounds and therefore put in place additional support and intervention as needed.

We hope this will help your child become a confident speller!

Does your child struggle with completing homework? If so, read on...

At FPJS, we gradually build up our expectations of completing homework. For all year groups, the most important aspect of homework is daily reading. Your child should be reading daily (either aloud to you or a sibling or independently once they are a fluent, free reader) and recording this in their home-school diary.

We also expect children to practise their times-tables (TT rock stars is brilliant for this!) for speed of recall, and work on any spelling rules.

In Year 3 and Year 4, we set one piece of formal homework a week, alternating maths and English. In Year 5 and Year 6, this increases to 2 pieces a week.

Although homework can be frustrating for both children and parents, it is our duty to prepare children to be "secondary-ready", enabling children to get into good habits with completing homework tasks.

If your child is struggling with any of the homework set, please DO let teachers know. The children should be able to complete most tasks without adult support- if your child needs your full support when completing the work it is too hard for them and needs to be adjusted, or they may need further support in class.

Each teaching team is also setting up a "Homework Help" lunchtime club, designed to support any child who finds it difficult to complete work at home. This is not a punishment for children who don't hand in homework, but rather a supportive time in the school day where children can complete tasks with adult support. Please do tell your class teacher if you feel your child would benefit from attending this. Teams will put further details on SeeSaw about when the "Homework Help" club will take place.

Well done to all our children who have started using TT rock stars regularly to practise times tables! Year 3 are yet to produce a score as they need to play at least 10 times before creating a studio speed- but have been practising well already.

Keep up the daily practise everyone- it is scientifically proven that practising a little and often will ensure you master those times tables as soon as possible until they are automatically recalled from memory.

Wow what a fantastic start of term! We are absolutely amazed by how well you have settled in; you would never believe that you’ve only been with us for a week and a half. Well done to all the children for their excellent behaviour and 'can do' attitude and to the parents too. Starting at a new school can be daunting for everyone involved but we've been inspired by how confident the children are.

This week, we started our curriculum learning and have had loads of fun using the equipment in maths to represent numbers and learn about place value. In English, we’ve started our learning on adjectives; writing descriptive pieces about 'the boy on the beach'. Can you remember what you saw in the picture? In topic, we’ve been investigating where we have travelled and have started using a map to locate different countries in Europe and in science, we have been getting our hands dirty investigating sandcastle buildings.

On Tuesday, we really enjoyed our visit from Berkshire maestros who introduced us to samba music! We loved using the instruments and our favourite was definitely the big surdo drum. We can’t wait to have another go next week and are looking forward to working as a class (or ensemble!) to play a piece of samba music at the end of the unit.

Looking forward to the rest of the year together!

Mrs Lawrence-Davis Y3 Team Leader

Year 4 have really impressed us with their positive start to the new school year. The children have come into school every day with a positive attitude and their participation and enthusiasm in their learning has blown us away!

In English, we have been reading the book Planet Omar by Zanib Mian. The children have enjoyed listening to Omar's antics and finding out about all the trouble he gets himself into! We have written some wonderful character descriptions and have also been improving our comprehension skills by answering questions about the story.

In maths, we have been looking at place value related to four digit numbers. The children have been using a range of practical equipment to visually represent numbers and then add and subtract 10, 100 and 1000.

Afternoons in year 4 have been jam packed with science, topic, art, French, music and RE lessons! We have been learning about the different appliances that use mains and battery power and how to keep ourselves safe when using these appliances. In music, we have been learning to use rhythm to say a tongue twister in unison; it's been tricky but lots of fun to try!

It has been a really successful start to the term for year 4. We can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings!

Mrs Barbosa Y4 Team Leader

We’ve had a brilliant start to Year 5 with lots of exciting activities going on. Already in Art, the children have developed their skills in drawing three dimensional shapes before creating an excellent study of an apple in its stages of being eaten. In English, we have been very impressed with how much the children have recalled and improved their ability to write a range of interesting sentences. This includes using fronted adverbials, subordinating and coordinating conjunctions.

In Maths we have been focusing on our positive maths mindset by solving problems and realising that not all maths questions have a “correct” answer. We particularly enjoyed writing a letter to Zero detailing its worth as part of the number system. This week we have begun our work on place value with the children exploring number to one million.

Science has involved an introduction to space and learning about the planets. Our brand new Geography topic is all about Berkshire. The children have been developing their understanding of human and physical geography and are working towards a project comparing Berkshire with another region of a different country.

We are so pleased with how well the children have settled back into the school routine and their great attitude towards their learning. We are all looking forward to the coming weeks, especially our exciting author visit!

Miss Moakes Y5 Team Leader

It has been all go in year 6 at the start of this year- as you will have seen over 30 children went for the initial rounds of head student, which is the most we have ever had and shows just what leadership potential there is in this year group. Now it is time for the house captains and the school will be voting on this very soon. Mr Sawle has also been overwhelmed with the response to his request for librarians and may have to hold further interviews to decide who can take up these prized roles.

Year 6 have settled quickly into work mode and we have been exploring poetry in English and reminding ourselves of key grammar rules as well as recapping on place value in maths.

We have already had the glockenspiels out in Music as we explore the world of "Jazz" ( yes do the jazz hands as you say it!) and in Topic we have been looking at timelines and Chronology and trying to work out what happened when and in which order. (be honest could you name what was happening in 730 BC or 764 AD?) In French it's all about the numbers at the moment and in RE we have been looking at who inspires us and exploring the question of why religions endure over thousands of years.

This has been a brilliant start to the year and we look forward to seeing just what the year 6's can achieve.

Miss Johnson Y6 Team Leader