Curriculum Overview

Year 4 and 5

 Autumn Term 2025

Maths

This term, pupils will deepen their understanding of place value, enabling them to recognise and utilise numbers up to 1, 000, 000. 

Addition and subtraction strategies will be refined, focusing on both mental arithmetic and formal written methods. Multiplication and division will be explored and methods will be taught. Problem-solving and reasoning skills will be cultivated, allowing pupils to apply their knowledge in practical contexts. 

Throughout all lessons, we will aim to foster a positive attitude towards mathematics, encouraging perseverance and curiosity in mathematical exploration.

English

This term, pupils will dive into the classic The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C S Lewis. We use the VIPERS reading strategy, ensuring pupils build their comprehension skills effectively. VIPERS stands for Vocabulary, Infer, Predict, Explain, Retrieve, Summarise and we use this across the whole school.

Our writing sessions will feature engaging stories including myths and legends and children will learn how to write instructional texts linked to life cycles. 

Throughout the term, children will be taught grammar, spelling and handwriting.  Weekly online spelling activities will be allocated to all children on a Friday.

Science

This term, Year 4/5 will learn how to group and classify living things. They’ll explore the differences between vertebrates (like mammals, birds, and reptiles) and invertebrates (such as insects, spiders, and snails). Pupils will use classification keys to sort animals and plants based on their features. They’ll also look at flowering and non-flowering plants, and learn how animals prepare for the colder months.

Later in the term, they’ll begin studying States of Matter, learning how materials can be solids, liquids, or gases. They’ll investigate how substances like water can change state when heated or cooled, and explore properties like viscosity and the behaviour of tricky solids like sand and flour.

Art and DT

In art this term we will delve into the world of painting and mixed media, exploring notable works such as 'My Parents' by David Hockney. The children will understand how elements like line, shape, tone, texture, pattern and colour will influence the meaning of a piece. We'll discuss how artists will use colour to evoke feelings—think warm and cool hues! The course will also highlight the impact of cultural, political and technological contexts on art. Through exploring paintings like 'The Dance' by Paula Rego, 'Yellow' by Fiona Rae, and 'five' by Lubaina Himid, students will appreciate how personal experiences will shape their interpretation of art.

In DT, students will explore creating their own stuffed toys! They'll learn that blanket stitch is great for joining fabric pieces and reinforcing edges. We’ll focus on finishing simpler designs to a high standard, fostering a sense of achievement. Students will find that appendages can be made separately and then attached and that neat, taut stitches are essential for a strong toy that securely holds the stuffing.

Geography

In Year 4 and 5, we embark on an exciting journey to explore the world of rivers! We’ll learn about how rivers are formed, starting at their source and flowing down to their mouth. We’ll delve into the vital processes of the water cycle, including precipitation, condensation, and evaporation, explaining how these elements contribute to our rivers. You'll discover how settlements rely on rivers for transportation, recreation, and even electricity generation. We’ll examine famous rivers like the Nile, as well as our local gems, including the River Alde and the River Orwell. Let’s uncover the amazing role rivers play in shaping our landscape!

History 

This term, Year 4/5 will be learning all about the Vikings. They’ll be exploring the question: Were the Vikings raiders, traders or something else?

The children will find out that the Vikings were not only warriors, but also traders, farmers, and skilled workers. They’ll learn how Viking ships helped them travel, trade, raid, and settle in many different places around the world.

The class will also discover how Viking attacks led to stronger defences in towns and villages, and how these events helped unite some Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. They’ll talk about how history can be told in different ways, depending on who is telling the story.

Computing

During the first half term, students will explore the fascinating world of computing systems and networks, focusing on the Internet. They'll learn that the Internet is essentially a network of networks, serving as a vital medium for information sharing. Important safety aspects will be covered, including the need for protection within networks. They'll discover various connected devices such as servers, workstations, and mobile phones, and the myriad services the Internet provides. In addition, discussions will highlight the importance of discerning accuracy online, encouraging students to think critically before sharing content.

In the second half term, the focus will shift to creating media via audio production. Students will delve into the technical aspects, understanding the roles of microphones as input devices and speakers as output devices. They'll learn how to record audio on a computer and navigate tools for editing their recordings. They will also explore the concept of podcasts as digital audio files available online. By the end of this term, they'll gain practical skills in exporting audio files and promoting thoughtful, responsible media creation.

French

This half term in MFL, we’re diving into Unit 2 of Rigolo 1, where students will learn vocabulary related to classroom objects, including une trousse (pencil case), un stylo (pen), and un cahier (exercise book). They will also master colour words such as rouge (red) and bleu (blue), alongside phrases to express their age (J’ai… ans).

In the second half of the term, we’ll explore Unit 4, focusing on animals. Pupils will learn to say they have a pet (J’ai…) or that they don’t (Je n’ai pas d’animal), while expanding their vocabulary with words like un chien (dog) and un chat (cat). Additionally, they’ll pick up essential adjectives to describe pets and how to say “S/he is called” (Elle/Il s’appelle…).

PSHE

We will be continuing following our school Paths scheme which will focus on social-emotional learning, teaching topics such as emotional understanding, self-control, social problem-solving, and peer relations/self-esteem. Topics explored include managing frustration, building self-confidence, recognizing and verbalizing feelings, and preparing for future changes. We will use methods like classroom rules, the "PATHS Pupil of the Day" activity, and co-operative learning to achieve these goals

R.E.

In the first half of the term, we explore Islam through the concept of Tawheed, focusing on how it fosters a sense of belonging within the Muslim community. Students will learn that Tawheed signifies the oneness of Allah, the importance of avoiding Shirk (the unpardonable sin), and the significance of the Kaaba in Mecca, including its connection to the story of Abraham and the Five Pillars of Islam.

In the second half, we shift our focus to Christianity, examining the Incarnation and how Christians demonstrate their belief in Jesus as God in human form. This includes understanding the symbolism of stained glass windows, the Christingle service during Christmas, and the significance of the ‘ichthus’ symbol, as well as how Christingle candles represent Jesus spreading light in the world.

Music

This year, Y5 will be learning to play a brass instrument under the guidance of Mr Courtney.

Y4 children will begin the year learning about how music can alter our emotions as we listen to it. There will also be singing and they will continue to learn how to use musical notation.

PE

This term in PE, Years 4 and 5 will be building their fitness through a range of fun activities, developing teamwork and coordination in netball, exploring rhythm and creativity in dance, and learning new skills and tactics in tag rugby.