Year 5

Maths

In Autumn Term, our Year 5 children will be following the White Rose Maths scheme, which helps develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts through small, manageable steps. We will begin with place value, where children will work with numbers up to one million, understanding how to read, write, order and compare them, as well as rounding and using number lines. Following this, we will move on to addition and subtraction, focusing on using formal written methods accurately and applying these to solve multi-step problems. Later in the term, we will explore multiplication and division, including learning about factors, multiples, prime numbers, and efficient written methods for calculation. Throughout the term, children will be encouraged to explain their reasoning and apply their learning to a range of problem-solving activities.

Science

In Science this Autumn, our Year 5 children will be exploring two exciting units: Forces and Earth and Space. In the Forces unit, children will investigate gravity, air resistance, water resistance, and friction through practical experiments and real-life contexts. They will also learn about mechanisms such as levers, pulleys, and gears. In the Earth and Space unit, children will explore the movement of the Earth and other planets relative to the Sun, understand the Moon’s orbit around Earth, and learn how day and night occur. Through hands-on investigations, model making, and scientific enquiry, children will develop a strong understanding of these key scientific concepts and improve their skills in observation, prediction, and recording results.

English

In English, our Year 5 children will be diving into the exciting world of Greek mythology through the novel Who Let the Gods Out. They will explore a range of engaging activities designed to build reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills. The sequence begins with developing curiosity about the story and its characters, followed by analysing language, character development, and grammar techniques such as expanded noun phrases and relative clauses. Children will take on different writing roles, including diary entries, letters, comic strips, and newspaper reports. They will also create their own myth-inspired adventure stories, applying everything they’ve learned about structure, suspense, and description. It’s a fantastic opportunity for pupils to strengthen their writing voice and creativity while having a lot of fun with mythological themes!

In Autumn 2, Year 5 will be using the exciting historical novel Anglo-Saxon Boy by Tony Bradman as our class text. Through this story, the children will explore life in Anglo-Saxon Britain, following the journey of a young boy named Magnus, the son of a powerful lord. Using the book as inspiration, the children will develop their reading comprehension skills by exploring characters, themes, and historical context. They will also use the text to support a range of writing outcomes, including setting descriptions, diary entries, persuasive letters, and narrative writing. Alongside this, we will focus on key grammar and vocabulary to enhance their writing and build confidence in editing and improving their work.

PSHE

In PSHE this term, Year 5 will begin with a focus on Growth Mindset during Autumn 1. The children will learn how their brains develop through effort and practice, helping them to build resilience, embrace challenges, and understand the importance of making mistakes as part of learning. They will explore strategies for staying motivated and developing a positive attitude towards their goals. In Autumn 2, our focus will shift to Families and Relationships. In this unit, children will learn about the different types of families, the importance of healthy relationships, and how to communicate effectively and respectfully with others. They will also explore how to manage conflict and understand the qualities that help build strong, supportive friendships.

PE
Our PE topics this term are; Hockey, Fitness, Netball and dodgeball. Within these subjects, children will practice teamwork, resilience, how to look after our bodies and the benefits and importance of eating a balanced diet. Each lesson will teach new skills in active fun lessons.

RE

Through our RE days at school, the children learn about their own and other’s beliefs.

Our question this year is: Where can people find guidance in their lives?

Over the next term we will cover Christianity and Judaism.

Computing

In Computing this term, Year 5 will begin with the unit Computing Systems and Networks: Systems and Searching. In this unit, children will develop their understanding of how computer systems work, including how information is transferred across networks such as the internet. They will also learn about search engines, how to use them effectively, and how search results are ranked. In the second half of the term, we will move on to Creating Media: Video Production. Children will plan, script, film, and edit their own videos, developing key digital skills such as using a camera, framing shots, and editing clips using software. This unit encourages creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking as children take on different roles in the video-making process.

MFL
In French this term, Year 5 will be learning two exciting topics to help build their vocabulary and confidence in speaking and writing. In the first half of the term, we will focus on La date (the date), where children will learn how to say the days of the week, months of the year, and how to ask and answer questions about the date in French. They will practise speaking and writing the date accurately and use it in everyday classroom routines. In the second half of the term, we will move on to As-tu un animal ? (Do you have a pet?), where children will learn the names of common pets, describe them using colours and adjectives, and ask and answer questions about animals they or others might have. Both topics will include games, songs, and interactive activities to help make language learning fun and memorable.

DT

We will be planning, researching and making different types of bread in our DT topic. Children will look at how the industrial revolution helped produce bread on mass, linking to our discover topic. We will make different types of bread for our families to try.

This practical experience will also support learning across subjects, including instruction writing in English, measuring and timing in Maths, and understanding changes in materials in Science. Baking bread will allow the children to apply their knowledge in a meaningful and enjoyable way, while also developing important life skills such as teamwork, patience, and following instructions.