Welcome to Buzzard & Magpie

Class  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

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 (2nd half-term) 

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

Magpie Dates are: Wednesday 5th November, Wednesday 12th November and Wednesday 19th November.  

Buzzard Dates are:  Wednesday 26th November, Wednesday 3rd December, Wednesday 10th December. 

Swimming:

Magpie Dates are: Thursday 6th November and Thursday 13th November 

Buzzard Dates are: Thursday 20th November until Thursday 29th January 2026

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 

Autumn Term 2

This term, our topic title is: How Great was Alfred? 

Communication, Language and Literacy

Our study of the Anglo-Saxons will be brought to life through the historical novel Freedom for Bron by N.S. Blackman. This engaging story will helps pupils imagine what life was like in Anglo-Saxon Britain — from village life and craftsmanship to justice, freedom, and community. Through Bron’s journey, we’ll explore key aspects of Anglo-Saxon culture, beliefs, and daily routines, linking fiction with real historical evidence. The book offers a rich and accessible way for pupils to deepen their understanding of this fascinating period in history.

Place and Time (History)

In this unit, pupils will explore the fascinating world of Anglo-Saxon England to discover how great King Alfred really was. We’ll investigate who the Anglo-Saxons were, what their society was like and how they lived, worked and ruled. By examining historical evidence, stories and artefacts, pupils will learn about Alfred’s achievements, challenges and legacy — and decide for themselves whether he truly deserves the title “Alfred the Great.”

Maths

The key areas being taught over this term will include:

• Multiplication and Division
• Fractions

Children will also have 2 minute quick fire times table checks on a daily basis. 

PSHE - 

Jigsaw

This half-term, children will study the unit, 'Celebrating Differences'. In this Jigsaw unit, pupils learn to understand, respect, and celebrate what makes each of us unique. Through stories, discussions, and creative activities, we explore how differences make our communities stronger and more interesting. Pupils will think about friendship, kindness, and standing up against bullying, developing empathy and confidence to value themselves and others. This unit helps everyone see that our differences are something to be proud of and celebrated!

Faiths and Beliefs

In this Understanding Christianity unit, pupils explore the Christian belief in Incarnation — that God became human in the person of Jesus. They will investigate what this means for Christians and why Jesus is seen by many Christians as the long-awaited Messiah. Through studying Bible stories, symbols, and key teachings, pupils will consider how Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth and what his life and actions reveal about God. This enquiry helps pupils think deeply about who Jesus was; why he is so significant in Christianity; and how beliefs about him shape Christian faith and worship today.

Homework: