Welcome to Year 6 – Diamond Class!

Mrs Bird

Dear Parents, Carers and Children,

Welcome to the Year 6 class page. Here you will find an overview of what we shall be learning in the Autumn term of 2026.

Maths

During the Autumn term, we shall begin with understanding the place value of numbers to 10,000,000. We shall learn how to say and write these numbers and learn how to compare and round them. We shall also learn about negative numbers. We will then move onto calculation, prime numbers, common factors and multiples, and squared and cubed numbers. In calculation, the children will learn about long division which can be a tricky area for some. Having a good knowledge of times tables facts helps enormously. After this unit, we move onto fractions where we learn about mixed numbers as well as using all four operations with fractions. We shall finish with a short unit on measurement which includes converting between metric and imperial measures. The children will also revise their multiplication facts.

English

Our main stimulus for writing, this term, will be Jo Hoestlandt’s ‘Star of Fear, Star of Hope’ which presents a sensitive and poignant portrayal of the events of the Holocaust to introduce the children to this difficult, but important topic. This links to our history topic: WW2. The children will be working towards writing their own flashback story but will be doing lots of shorter pieces along the way including setting descriptions, diaries, and letters. They will also learn abut the passive ‘voice’, more about writing dialogue, using colons and how to add interesting detail to their descriptions.

The children will also learn a new spelling rule each week as well as consolidating the common exception words from years 3, 4 and 5. Spellings to learn will be set and tested each week as part of the weekly homework.

Reading plays an important role in Year 6. It helps the children to generate ideas for their own writing and develops their use of vocabulary. In class, we shall be reading ‘Poems from the Second World War’ by Gaby Morgan, and ‘When We Were Warriors’ by Emma Carroll. Again, both books support our learning about WW2. Over the week, all children will have an opportunity to read to their class teacher as well as to the class or in small groups. There will also be plenty of opportunity for the children to read for pleasure and the class and school library offer books and magazines for the children to choose from. The children are encouraged to read daily, by bringing in their own book or choosing from the school and record this reading in their reading diaries. We ask that parents and carers support with reading at home so that we can work together to help develop their child’s ability to read with fluency and understanding.

RE

Religious Education is taught weekly as well as part of daily collective worship. This term, the children in year 6 shall be learning about the key beliefs in Hinduism such as the concepts of karma and reincarnation. We will then learn about the Holy Trinity in Christianity and investigate the problem of suffering and free will. The children will also compare religious and non-religious viewpoints to develop a reasoned personal response.

Science

We shall begin the term with learning about Light. During this unit of work, children will consolidate previous learning by exploring the way that light behaves, including light sources, reflection, and shadows. Pupils will make predictions and investigate the relationship between light sources, objects and shadows and understand how the eye works. Children will extend their experience of light by looking at rainbows, prisms and bending light in water (although they don’t need to explain why these phenomena occur at this stage).

The children will then develop a deeper understanding of how the human body works by learning about the circulatory system and its role in maintaining the body’s health. They learn how the heart, blood, and blood vessels work together to transport oxygen, nutrients, water, and waste substances around the body so that cells can function properly. The children will also learn how the circulatory and digestive systems work closely together to deliver nutrients to the body.

History

In this unit, the children will learn about how World War Two began and will develop a more comprehensive understanding of how empire and rebellion influenced Hitler and his plan to dominate Europe. The children will explore the significance of the Battle of Britain and will complete a local study, looking at various sources from different areas in the West Midlands region, such as Stoke. They will then compare the inner cities with Shropshire and explore how Britain gained victory in World War Two. The class will also visit the Chester Military Museum.

Geography

Our geography learning will link closely with our history learning by looking at the countries of Europe, and how the war developed due to their proximity to each other. We shall also how to use Digimap to analyse a local settlement such as Stoke-On-Trent. We shall look at humans features and land use and learn how to read scales and measure distances on maps. We shall also use four and six-figure grid references to locate key geographical features.

Art

The term will begin with analysing the work of different artists, researching their lives, techniques, and artistic intentions. The children will collect ideas in their sketchbooks before planning a final piece of their own. In the second half of the term, the children will learn about how to use photography to reflect an artist’s style and then create their own photo-realistic final painting or drawing.

DT

This term, we shall be designing pattern pieces and making a bag for a specific user and will then use CAD 3D modelling software to investigate how playground structures are designed and reinforced.

Music

This year, the children will learn how to play guitar through instruments lessons over one term, but during the autumn term, they will explore a range of codes and how they can be used to create rhythms and melodies. They will then use these codes to produce a range of original music individually, in pairs and in groups. After half-term, the class will consider a range of ways that recycling can apply to musical performance and composition. They will recycle their own voices, instruments and found sounds within a group composition task.

Computing

The children will be learning about internet safety, coding and spreadsheets.

PE

This term, the class will learn netball and tag rugby.

Class trips

The class will be visiting the Chester Military Museum during the autumn term and will have a three-day residential to the Peak District 17th-19th March 2027. Further details of the trips and any further workshops will be provided in due course.

Daily routines

The children will require a water bottle each day as well as a coat for outdoor learning and break times. They should also have a reading book and may bring their own pencil cases, if they wish to. The children are expected to read daily as well as practise the multiplication facts. Homework will be set each Friday to be handed in the following Wednesday.

I look forward to welcoming the children back and starting an exciting year. Further information about specific events for year 6 children, parents and carers will be shared this term.

Mrs Bird