Year 5- Kingfishers and Woodpeckers Class
Dear Parents/Carers
Welcome to the Year 5 page!
Our Year 5 pupils have made a wonderfully positive start, and we are thrilled to partner with you to help them spread their wings, building the independence and resilience needed as they take flight into Upper Key Stage Two. The children have already begun demonstrating fantastic character traits; together, we can nurture these qualities over the coming terms so they truly soar as exemplary role models for their peers and our school.
The Year 5 team have planned an exciting curriculum designed to spark creativity and intrigue, offering meaningful new challenges that will inspire the children to learn, grow and reach new heights.
English
As we begin our Year 5 class novel, Wonder, we are preparing to embark on a powerful journey alongside Auggie Pullman, a boy born with a facial difference who is starting mainstream school for the first time. Like a young bird leaving the safety of its nest, Auggie must find the courage to spread his wings, navigate new challenges and discover where he belongs.
Throughout the story, children will follow Auggie's experiences as he makes friends, faces obstacles and learns valuable lessons about acceptance. The novel explores important themes of friendship, inclusion and kindness, showing that a flock is strongest when every bird is welcomed, valued and supported. We will be discussing how differences should be celebrated rather than feared and how even the smallest act of kindness can help someone gain the confidence to soar. As our children learn alongside Auggie, we hope they will reflect on the importance of empathy, respect and belonging. 'Choose Kindness' will be a message that guides our thinking throughout this inspiring and thought-provoking class text.
Maths
Science
This term, Year 5 will be investigating the properties of materials, exploring how and why certain materials are chosen for particular purposes. Through practical investigations, children will compare materials based on properties such as strength, flexibility, transparency, conductivity and insulation, developing their skills as scientists by making predictions, carrying out tests and drawing conclusions from their findings.
To bring this learning to life, we will link our science learning to our Geography topic on The Alps. Children will consider how people adapt to living in a mountainous environment by exploring questions such as: Why are many Alpine chalets built from wood? What materials are best for keeping skiers warm and dry? How do buildings withstand freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall and strong winds? This cross-curricular approach will help children understand how scientific knowledge is applied to solve real-world challenges.
To continue these discussions at home encourage your child to think about the materials used in everyday objects around the home. Ask questions such as 'Why is this object made from that material?', 'What properties does it have?' and 'Could a different material work better?' Discussing materials used in clothing, buildings, furniture and outdoor equipment can help children see how science influences the world around them.
PE
This year, children will develop their physical skills, teamwork, confidence and resilience through a range of PE activities. This term, our focus sports are Rugby and Gymnastics.
Swimming lessons (Wednesdays):
- Woodpeckers: 09.09.26 - 21.10.26 06.01.27 - 10.02.27 14.04.27 - 26.05.27
- Kingfishers: 04.11.26 - 16.12.26 24.02.27 - 24.03.27 09.06.27 - 14.07.27
For swimming, children will need:
- Swimming costume or shorts
- Swimming hat
- Goggles (optional)
- Towel
Our second PE lesson is on Fridays. Please ensure your child comes to school wearing the correct PE kit: a plain white T-shirt, black shorts or joggers, and suitable sports footwear.
For safety reasons, earrings must be removed for PE. Children should be able to remove them independently, or they should be removed before school. Please note that children with new piercings that cannot be removed will be unable to take part in PE during the six-week healing period.
Thank you for your support in ensuring children are ready to participate fully in all PE and swimming activities.
Homework and Support with Learning
To consolidate and extend learning in the classroom, homework will be set each Friday and should be returned by Wednesday. This allows us to review and discuss the work with the children, celebrating successes and addressing any misconceptions together.
Regular completion of homework helps children revisit key learning, develop independence and build confidence in applying their skills beyond the classroom. We will mark and discuss homework alongside the children, using it as an opportunity to identify and address any misconceptions, reinforce understanding and embed learning more securely. This valuable dialogue helps children reflect on their thinking and make stronger progress over time.
We understand that completing homework at home is not always possible. To support children in developing independent learning habits and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to complete their work, we offer a Homework Club during lunchtime on Thursdays. Children are welcome to attend for support, guidance or simply a quiet space in which to complete their homework.
Thank you for your continued support in encouraging positive learning habits at home. By working together, we can help every child develop confidence, independence and a love of learning.
Reading
Please continue to read with your child as regularly as possible. Research shows that children who read frequently not only develop stronger reading skills but often achieve better across the wider curriculum, as reading underpins learning in every subject. Reading together provides valuable opportunities to discuss vocabulary, build comprehension and foster a lifelong love of reading.
Children are encouraged to record all reading in their reading record, whether this is independent reading or reading with an adult, sibling or family member. We welcome a wide range of reading materials, including novels, magazines, newspapers, non-fiction texts, comics and e-books. Thank you for your support in helping your child become a confident and enthusiastic reader.
Spelling
Each week, your child will receive 10 spellings to practise at home. These will be sent home on Fridays, with a spelling test taking place the following Friday. In school, children are taught a range of effective spelling strategies to help them learn and remember new words, and we encourage them to use these techniques during their home practice.
Regular spelling practice helps children become more confident writers by improving their accuracy, vocabulary and ability to apply spelling patterns in their independent work. Just a few minutes of focused practice each day can make a significant difference. Thank you for your support in helping your child develop these essential skills.
Times Tables
Times tables fluency is a key skill in Year 5 and plays an important role in many areas of mathematics, including multiplication, division, fractions, decimals and problem-solving. When children can recall their times tables quickly and accurately, they are able to approach new mathematical concepts with greater confidence and efficiency. Children are encouraged to use Times Tables Rock Stars regularly to practise and strengthen their recall. Just a few minutes of daily practice can make a significant difference and help children become more fluent, confident mathematicians.
Our aim is for every child to feel valued, challenged and inspired to achieve their very best. We know that children thrive when home and school work closely together, and we look forward to building strong relationships with both children and families as we support them in reaching their aspirations. If you have any questions, concerns or information you would like to share, please do get in touch. We are always happy to meet with parents and carers and value the opportunity to work together to ensure the best possible outcomes for every child.
Thank you for your support - we look forward to a successful year ahead.
Kind regards,
Mrs Patel, Mr Moyse, Mrs Bricky, Miss Tolley and Miss Sokolowska