Upper Key Stage 2

Age 9-11 years

Classrooms

The classrooms in both Year 5 and Year 6 are designed to meet the needs of the children. Pupils sit in groups to allow for both independent and collaborative learning. Most lessons will include opportunities for paired work, independent work and collaborative learning.

Classrooms are bright, engaging and informative. Displays are stimulating and they are changed regularly. Displays re-inforce key learning and celebrate children's learning across the whole curriculum. Pupils are able to independently access resources in their classrooms to support their learning such as: spelling lists, dictionaries, thesaurus, place value mats, punctuation mats etc. All resourecs are easily accessible, labelled and well-organised.

Working walls reflect currently learning and offer visual reminders of key concepts being taught.

Curriculum

In Years 5 and 6 we continue to offer a broad balanced and enriched curriculum to fully prepare our pupils for life after primary school. We focus on developing independence, resilience and perseverance so children can achieve their full potential.

In Reading children develop their comprehension skills to allow them to develop a full understanding of a wider range of more demanding texts. We continue to foster a love of reading by providing high quality engaging texts both across the curriculum and in reading for pleasure sessions.

Pupils access class readers in school and each half term they take home a' Read Aloud at Home' text to share with adults. Pupils will retrieve, infer, comment upon the author's word choice, predict and summarise in their regular Reading sessions.

In Maths in UKS2 children build upon the firm foundations already made and they embed and develop their calculation strategies. They will consolidate their knowledge of their times tables through regular sessions. Pupils calculate with fractions , decimals and percentages and through regular practice they become fluent arithmetic experts. Maths lessons also provide children with opportunities to develop their logical and critical thinking skills whilst answering reasoning questions across a range of topics such as : shape, measure and data. Pupils will be supported to develop their problem solving skills whilst searching for patterns and relationships and when solving open investigations.

Pupils in Year 5 and Year 6 take part in weekly Enrichment sessions which build on skills and knowledge from previous years. For example pupils will have opportunities to develop their painting ,drawing and printing techniques during Art Enrichment, learn to play and perform both the recorder and the ukulele in Music sessions and prepare , make and taste food from different cultures in Food Technology. Pupils use their digital literacy skills to create an e magazine for others to read and enjoy. In drama sessions children build on their speaking skills, increase their confidence and work collaboratively to put on a performance to an audience.

Trips and visits

Debating sessions are enjoyed by our older pupils. These sessions teach pupils how to structure an argument and express themselves articulately in front of an audience. Over the course of the sessions pupils learn about the importance of eye contact, anecdotes, statistics and hand gestures The sessions boost pupils' confidence levels and strengthen their research skills. Pupils take part in a local debating competition with other schools at Pudsey Civic Hall in front of parents, pupils and members of our wider community.

Space Camp provides the opportunity for pupils to become fully immersed in their Science learning and stay overnight at school after star gazing and taking part in astronaut training. Our Nell Bank visit allows pupils to engage with nature, inspires their learning and inquisitiveness and boosts their physical and mental well being. Our older children visit the beautiful Yorkshire Dales to develop their geographical fieldwork skills. They record, observe and measure the River Wharfe various points and enhance their mapping skills.

There are opportunities to take part in various local and city wide sporting competitions and tournaments. During their time in Year 5 and Year 6 our pupils take part in Bikeability where they gain practical skills and understand how to cycle safely on today's roads. These cycle sessions provide a vital grounding for our annual Saltaire Bike Ride along the Leeds -Liverpool Canal.

Robinwood Residential in Todmorden, Lancashire- This three day residential is packed with adventure and teamwork opportunities located at Dobroyd Castle in 17 acres of grounds.

Pupils take part in caving, raft building, canoeing, the giant swing, nightline, archery, trapeze, high wire and climbing activities. This action packed residential fosters independence, teamwork and cooperation skills.

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