This Term
Below you will find information about what the classes in Year 5 and 6 are learning about this term. You might also like to view our Homework page for ways that you can support learning at home.
Summer 2026
English
For the first few weeks, Year 6 will be continuing to revisit their understanding of KS2 grammar. They will be writing a flashback story, manipulating tense to show the change in time, as well as adding powerful description to provoke the reader into feeling everything their character feels. They will also be carrying out short descriptive pieces and publish some of their work to showcase their handwriting. Following SATs children will then use some of their morning session to complete geography they did not complete due to additional English session (see geography). They will also be focusing on speaking and listening objective – practising their drama to put on an end of year production. As well as this, the Year 6 children will consolidate their learning completing writing and reading tasks in preparation for their transition to high school.
In the first half term, Year 5 will first look at fictional pieces based on the text ‘Thesaurus’, editing, planning and writing mythical adventure stories. They will carefully look at the structures and features of this writing, specifically focusing on how to use speech, parenthesis, semi, colons, colons, similes and metaphors accurately and purposefully. They will then explore an explanation text about dragons: ‘Why are Dragons Extinct?’, practicing the use of rhetorical questions and technical language to emphasise the information they have collated and engage their reader. There will be a lot of focus on the purpose their writing and how they will choose their language to suit what audience it is for.
Maths
Year 5 will return to the key areas of mathematics, including place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, decimals and percentages, as well as measure, shape, position and direction, and data handling. Building on their prior learning, they will deepen their understanding of principles and methods. Emphasis will be placed not only on mastering methods, but also on applying this knowledge in a range of contexts, with a focus on reasoning and problem-solving skills, as well as some outdoor lessons applying their learning into real world situations.
For the first few weeks, Year 6 will be continuing to revisit all areas of maths visited in KS2 and then they will be able to showcase everything they have learnt when sitting their SATs. Following this, they will then complete the computing unit from the previous half term, which was not completed due to additional maths session (see computing).
Science
Science lessons will use the learning platform Kapow. For the first half term, children will be exploring living things in terms of evolution and inheritance. They will investigate variation and inheritance in different living things and how observations and fossil evidence have led to the theory of evolution. They will analyse and explain variation in organisms, including inherited and environmental factors, and how characteristics, adaptations, and patterns of inheritance influence survival. They will also investigate natural selection and evolution, using evidence to describe how species change over time and how scientific conclusions are made reliable. Working scientifically, pupils classify variation, evaluate methods by identifying controlled and uncontrolled variables, and assess the reliability of results. They will explore how evidence is used to develop theories and judge how trustworthy that evidence is.
In the first half of the second half term, children will be investigating the human timeline. They will explore how humans grow and develop from birth to old age, including puberty changes and how to manage them, as well as understand gestation and how it varies between animals and humans. Working scientifically, they will use and interpret data on growth, identify changes in growth rates, make predictions from line graphs, and accurately present data using scatter graphs with appropriate titles and labels. Children will then move on to explore making connections, looking at the question: How does light affect the direction of plant growth? In this unit, children will recall and apply prior knowledge to explore how light direction affects plant growth. When working scientifically, they will plan and carry out a complete scientific enquiry.
History
During the first half of the summer term history will focus on culture and past times; the children will be learning about how and entertainment have been significant in Leeds over time. It will involve a local history study from 1066 that is significant in the locality. We will be addressing a variety of questions: What did people in Leeds do for entertainment in the earliest 20th century? How were leisure and entertainment activities in Leeds affected during World War Two? How have music trends and technology changed in Leeds over time? What is the history of cinema in Leeds? And how did retail change in Leeds during the 20th century?
Geography
Due to booster sessions Year 6 will spend their first half term catching up on the geography unit from the previous term. Their Geography learning will focus on settlement, answering the unit question: ‘Why does population change?’ Through this question they will explore how global population is changing; looking at what birth and death rates are and reasons why people might migrate. They will look at what factors are considered when new settlements are built and how population is impacting our environment (these will link back to our climate unit referring to deforestation). They will be using map work to look for patterns.
During the second half of the summer term, our Geography learning will focus on whether Yorkshire and Western USA are the same. We will be finding out key geographical features of the UK and the Yorkshire and Humber region using grid references; knowing where the United States of America. By the end of the unit, they will know what the physical and human features of Western USA are and how Western USA compares to Yorkshire. We will be experiencing the Yorkshire Dales with a trip to Bolton Abbey trip – focusing on sketching maps.
Computing
Year 6 will spend the first half term in completing an introduction to Python. In this unit, children explore using python coding to develop and refine ideas, testing and improving their programs while also explaining how they work. They will use nested loops in their designs and analyse why multiple repeats are needed. They will modify computer designs using Python commands and explore how computers generate random numbers, can break programs down into algorithms, and adapt programs to personalise them.
Computing lessons will use the learning platform Kapow. In Summer, we will be exploring a unit called Big Data 1. Children will investigate the purpose and real-world uses of barcodes, QR codes, infrared, and RFID technology. They will also input, sort, and analyse data in spreadsheets to draw conclusions from different scenarios.
In the second half term, children will be looking at the follow-up unit called Big Data 2. Children will analyse how data is transmitted and protected, distinguish between mobile data and Wi-Fi, and use spreadsheets to analyse data usage. They will also explore the Internet of Things and Big Data, apply these concepts to solve problems or improve efficiency, and present their ideas while considering data privacy.
PE
During the Summer Term, pupils will continue to develop their physical skills, teamwork, and understanding of different sports through a varied and engaging PE curriculum.
Summer 1
Indoor PE – Net and Wall Games (Badminton Focus)
Pupils will be introduced to the key skills and rules of net and wall games, with a particular focus on badminton. They will develop hand-eye coordination, control, and accuracy through a range of rallies and partner-based activities. As the unit progresses, children will begin to apply these skills in simple competitive situations, learning about positioning, tactics, and fair play.
Outdoor PE – Fielding Games (Cricket Focus)
In outdoor sessions, pupils will explore fielding games through cricket-based activities. They will practise throwing, catching, and striking skills, as well as learning how to work effectively as a team in both batting and fielding roles. The unit will build towards small-sided games, where pupils can apply their skills in a game context.
Summer 2
Indoor PE – Athletics
Pupils will take part in a range of athletics activities designed to develop speed, strength, coordination, and endurance. This will include running, jumping, and throwing events. Children will focus on improving their personal performance, setting targets, and understanding the importance of technique.
Outdoor PE – Orienteering
Orienteering will provide pupils with opportunities to develop problem-solving, teamwork, and navigation skills. Using maps and clues, children will work collaboratively to locate points around the school grounds, encouraging both physical activity and strategic thinking.
RE
In R.E, we will spend the first half term children will be continuing learning about the question: Why are rites of passage important? They will learn about rights and responsibilities that come with growing up - comparing different rites of passage. Children will discuss their own beliefs and ideas and compare these with others. We will explore how people express their feelings and beliefs through art, music, poetry, story, drama and physical movement.
In R.E, we will spend the second half term children learning about the question: What do Christians believe about the old and new covenants? They will learn about Abrahamic faiths and covenants between God and key figures in the bible. We will explore core beliefs of Christians regarding ancient stories about covenants and their importance, as well as making comparisons to the other Abrahamic faiths’ views of these stories.
Art
Learning in Art in the second half of the summer term will be focussed Sculpture, Photography. We will be using inspiration from Michelle Reader. She is a Nottinghamshire-based artist who reuses waste materials to create sculptures, puppets and installations. They will be experimenting and creating different forms using recycled materials - household and industrial waste - and add decoration. Our work will aim to provoke an audience response in relation to sustainability. We will be using methods such as photography to record our temporary art.
Design Technology
Our Design Technology unit will be in the first half term; it will be answering the question ‘What type of ride are you going to make?’. We will be looking at what mechanical systems are and how gears are used. Through looking at designs through history for ideas as well as designers Harry Beck. We will then use these ideas to design and make our own prototype of a fairground ride – using gears to make it move. As we build our design, we will be constantly evaluating and problem solving. We will finish by evaluating our final product.
Life Curriculum
For the Summer term our Life curriculum questions will be: ‘What will change as we become more independent?’ and ‘How do friendships change as we grow?’. We will learn that people have many different kinds of relationships in their lives, including romantic or intimate relationships, and that people who are attracted to and love each other can be of any gender, ethnicity or faith. Children will learn about different committed relationships, including marriage and civil partnerships. Children will also learn about friendships and how these change as they grow, developing the important skills of self-respect and how to be kind to others. This unit will also cover discrimination – what it means and how to challenge it. During the summer term, Year 5 and 6 children will also have their Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) sessions, covering how bodies and emotions change during puberty and, for Year 6, how babies are conceived.
Music
In the summer term, the children will use the online platform Charanga to learn how to play the ukulele. For Year 6s, this will build on their learning from last year, recapping on playing different musical notes and further developing their skills playing the instrument accurately, recognising tempos and time signatures. For Year 5s, this will be an introduction to the ukulele, learning how the instrument can produce different notes and chords to create a tune.
French
During the first half term children will be focusing their French learning on the topic ‘Planifier les vacances d’été (Planning for the summer holidays). We will be learning some new holiday-related vocabulary, focusing on packing a suitcase, planning a journey and travel essentials. Children will use present and future tenses to talk about their travel plans.
In the second half term, their unit is titled ‘C’est la France’ (This is France!) and will allow children to focus specifically on Paris, learning new vocabulary related to exploring the city and experiences typically associated with visiting France. This unit will enhance geographical awareness and cultural knowledge, as well as allowing children to use their new language skills to talk about the city of Paris.