Welcome to

Year 5  2025 - 26

Welcome to our Year 5 class page.  We will updating our class stories regularly to share with you the engaging work we are completing in year five.

This year, our staff consist of:

Buzzard Class - Miss Yetton, Mrs Reading, Mrs Downs

Magpie Class - Mrs Ward, Mrs Lang and Mrs Reading

We will also have the following teachers working with us over the year:

PE Specialist- Mr Williams (autumn 1, spring 1, summer 1)

Music Specialist- Mrs Heap (autumn 2, spring 2, summer 2)

Useful Class Information

Drop off and pick-up:

The school gates will open at 8.45am for registration at 8.55am. We expect for children to be in the classroom, ready for learning by 8.55am. Pick-up time is 3.15pm. If you would like your child to walk home independently, please pick up a form from the office which allows you to give permission for this to happen.  

P.E:

P.E will be taught this half-term by Mrs Roberts which will be on Monday. Please ensure that children come to school dressed in their PE kit. We will aim to be outside, weather dependent, so please make sure that your child is suitably dressed. 

Magpie Class will also have swimming this half-term, more details to follow!

Forest School: 

We are extremely lucky to have forest school back on the timetable.

Magpie Dates are: Thursday 26th February, Thursday 5th March, Thursday 12th March

Buzzard Dates are:  Thursday 19th March, Thursday 26th March, Thursday 2nd April 

 

Reading:

Oxford Reading Buddy:

We are delighted to tell you that our school uses Oxford Reading Buddy. This is a digital reading service to support children’s reading development at home and at school. It contains hundreds of digital books and book-quizzes all matched to each child’s reading ability. Please log in to Oxford Reading Buddy. Your child has their password in the back of their home-school learning journal. If you don’t have a tablet or PC at home the service works on smartphone as well. For more information go to this address and choose Parent Support: https://support.oxfordreadingbuddy.com/

Your child will also be given a physical copy of a book. This can be looked through when completing their quiz.

In year 5, children should be reading at home five times over a week. We also read every day in school between 8.45-9.15am. This is where children are able to read their book, complete a quiz and change their book once they’ve completed it.

Teachers keep track of individual scores and move on and/or support where necessary. When children complete a quiz, it gives teachers an analysis in how pupils have performed in certain areas such as finding information, making connections and using inference or understanding vocabulary. Teachers can then support appropriately.

The scheme goes up to level 20 which is aimed at Y6 greater depth readers.

Homework:

Homework will be set on a Friday, this could be maths, CLL or topic, and needs to be returned the following Thursday. A copy of the homework will be below. 

Water bottles/snacks:

Children are encouraged to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep well hydrated.  We ask that each child brings to school a named water bottle and a healthy snack (fruit or veg) each day to school (Fridays are for a small treat). Please remember that we are a nut-free school. 

Communication:

If you need to communicate anything to staff, please contact us (through email or telephone) via the school office.  Alternatively, you may be able to speak with a member of the team during pick-up time.

Best wishes,

The Year 5 Team 

Spring Term 2 

 

Communication, Language and Literacy

Year 5 CLL Unit: Shackleton’s Journey – Newspaper Writing

This Year 5 unit uses Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill as a rich, engaging stimulus for learning across English, geography and history. Through the true story of Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition, pupils explore themes of resilience, leadership and survival while developing key reading and writing skills.

Children analyse non-fiction features such as timelines, maps and captions, building their comprehension and vocabulary. They investigate the events of the Endurance expedition and learn how information can be presented effectively for different audiences.

Pupils apply their learning by writing a newspaper article reporting on a key event from Shackleton’s expedition, such as the ship becoming trapped in ice or the crew’s dramatic survival. They learn to write in a formal journalistic style, including headlines, eyewitness accounts, quotations and factual detail.

By the end of the unit, pupils will have strengthened their understanding of non-fiction texts, historical events and report writing, while developing confidence in using ambitious vocabulary and accurate subject knowledge.

Place and Time (History)

 

In this History unit, pupils study Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition to understand what life was like for explorers in the early 20th century. Children learn about the extreme conditions faced by Shackleton and his crew, including freezing temperatures, dangerous ice and long periods of darkness.

Pupils will compare the clothing, equipment and living conditions of the expedition with those used by explorers today. They explore how Shackleton’s crew relied on heavy wool clothing, leather boots and basic tools, and how these often offered limited protection against the cold. In contrast, pupils examine modern specialist clothing, advanced technology and improved shelter, helping them understand how exploration has changed over time.

Through this comparison, children develop historical enquiry skills and gain a deeper understanding of how advances in technology and materials have improved safety and survival. The unit encourages pupils to think critically about the challenges faced by explorers in the past and to appreciate the courage and resilience required to survive in such harsh environments.

Maths:

The key areas being taught over this term will include:

• Decimals and percentages
• Perimeter and Area
• Statistics

Children will also have two-minute quick fire times table check on a daily basis. This term we will be focusing on x9 and x12. 

 

Jigsaw (PSHE):

In the Spring 2 Jigsaw unit, Healthy Me, pupils learn about the importance of physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. The unit helps children understand how to make healthy lifestyle choices and how these choices can positively affect their bodies, minds and relationships.

Pupils explore topics such as keeping safe, managing risks, making healthy choices around food and exercise and understanding the impact of habits on wellbeing. They also develop strategies for coping with peer pressure, recognising when they feel uncomfortable and knowing how to seek help when needed.

Through discussion, reflection and collaborative activities, children build confidence, resilience and a sense of responsibility for their own health and safety, while learning to respect and support others.

Faith and Beliefs:

In this unit, pupils will explore the Christian concept of Salvation and what it means to Christians today. They learn that Christians believe salvation is about being rescued and restored into a relationship with God. They will discuss the question, 'What difference does the resurrection make for Christians?' Pupils will also consider what the word sacrifice means for themselves, others and Christians in their lives. 

Homework: