Welcome to Year 6

This year, children consolidate everything they have learnt so far and deepen their understanding in subjects like mathematics, where they’ll tackle algebra, fractions, and geometry. In English, they will focus on refining their writing and comprehension skills. In science, they will explore more complex topics like the human circulatory system, forces, and evolution, preparing them for the challenges of secondary school science. As the year draws to a close, they will showcase their talents and hard work in an end-of-year performance, which will celebrate their journey and accomplishments.

Upcoming events for Year 6

Here’s what you’ve got to look forward to over the next few weeks.

Year 6 Curriculum

Art and Design / DT / Food and Nutrition

At KS1 and KS2 we follow a two year sequence:

2026/2027 and 2028/2029

Autumn 1 – Textiles – batik

Autumn 2 – Painting

Spring 1 – Mechanical Systems: Pneumatics

Spring 2 – Collage

Summer 1 – Portraits, including mixed media

Summer 2 – Food Technology

 

2025/2026 and 2027/2028

Autumn 1 – Printing

Autumn 2 – 3D: Metal

Spring 1 – Electrical Systems

Spring 2 – Mechanica | Systems (axles and wheels)

Summer 1 – Portraits, including mixed media

Summer 2 – Structures

Computing

Each year through KS1-2 we cycle through the following units at increasing depth:

  1. Productivity
  2. Programming
  3. Computational Thinking
  4. Creativity
  5. Networks
  6. Communication/collaboration
English

Reading to Learn

Once children have been carefully assessed as having met the requirements of the phonics program, they should be able to decode any age appropriate text. At this point, children move onto our ‘Paradigm Literacy and Language’ program.

The program allocates 3 weeks to ‘fiction writing’ such as: stories, poetry, one week to ‘journalistic writing’ such as biographies and non chronological reports and two weeks to a ‘non fiction writing’ program in which specialist teachers across the Trust have worked together to create and provide high quality texts in The Humanities and The Sciences.

Click here to see which books we read in Year Six.

Geography

The following topics are repeated on a 2 year cycle in KS1, LKS2 and UKS2:

Unit 1: Dynamic Earth

Weather and climate across the world

Changes to our climate and the role of humans in this

Extreme weather events

Tectonic Hazards: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions

 

Unit 2: UK Geography

What is the UK and where do I live?

Using mapping skills to explore features in the UK

River and coastal landscapes in the UK

Urban environments in the UK

 

Unit 3: Environment, Climate and Us

The climate crisis and what we can do about it

Understanding life in tropical rainforests and the threats to them and what we can do.

Understanding life in desert environments and the threats to them and what we can do.

Understanding cold environments and the threats to them and what we can do.

 

Unit 4: Jobs and Wealth

Types of jobs, industry and places of work

Global trade and supply chains – where does my food come from?

What is life like in the world’s poorest countries?

What is life like in the world’s richest countries?

History

We cover two topics a year for History in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

In Year 6 we take an in-depth study on The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on Britain and the rest of the world, then the same for World War One: What was the impact of WW1 on individuals and families? After a general introduction, life in the trenches, a focus on families, the home front and poetry.

Mathematics

Our school uses Maths Mastery to teach the subject. In Year 6 we cover:

  • Integers and decimals
  • Multiplication and division
  • Calculation problems
  • Fractions
  • Missing angles and length
Modern Foreign Languages

We study Spanish in Upper Key Stage 2, through a system called Early Start Spanish Programme.

Music

Autumn 1 – Pop

Autumn 2 – Jazz

Spring 1 – Minimalism

Spring 2 – Disco/Funk

Summer 1 – Songwriting

Summer 2 – Locally Agreed Topic (eg Year 6 Musical)

PE
  • Striking / fielding (e.g. rounders, cricket)
  • Gymnastics
  • Invasion Games (e.g. hockey, netball, football)
  • Athletics
  • Swimming
  • Dance
Religious and Non-religious Worldviews (RE)

We follow a three-year cycle (see below) covering the major world religions as well as worldviews.

The programme is designed so that each previously taught religion is reviewed and comparisons are drawn between the content. Over six years, each child will have studied each identified religion/non-religion twice, studying in greater depth and making connections between religions.

Pupils are taught key substantive knowledge for each religion and worldview and each lesson is broken down into one of 3 disciplines: Theology, philosophy and Human/Social Science.

2024-2025: Christianity and Islam

2025-2026: Judaism and Humanism

2026-2027: Hinduism and Sikhism

Parents/carers have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of RE – please contact the principal if you wish to explore this as an option.

RSHE and PSHE

The Paradigm primary schools follow the Jigsaw programme.

From September 2019 we have allocated 45 minutes per week to PSHE at KS1 and KS2.

  • Being Me in My World
  • Celebrating Difference
  • Dreams and Goals
  • Healthy Me
  • Relationships
  • Changing Me
Science

Autumn 1 – State of Matter | Living Things and their Habitats and Classification

Autumn 2 – Animals including Humans | Earth and Space

Spring 1 – Electricity Forces and Magnets

Spring 2 – Plants Evolution, Inheritance and Fossils

Summer 1 – Light and Sound

Summer 2 – Environmental Issues: Global Warming | Pollution | Properties of Materials

INSET Days for this term are:

  • Monday 1st September
  • Tuesday 2nd September

Students should not attend school on these days.

 

First Half Term Dates
Start Wednesday, 3rd September
End Friday, 24th October
Half Term Holiday Dates
Start Monday, 27th October
End Friday, 31st October
Second Half Term Dates
Start Monday, 3rd November
End Friday, 19th December

INSET Days for this term are:

  • Monday 5th January

Students should not attend school on this day.

First Half Term Dates
Start Tuesday, 6th January
End Friday, 13th February
Half Term Holiday Dates
Start Monday, 16th February
End Friday, 20th February
Second Half Term Dates
Start Monday, 23rd February
End Friday, 27th March

INSET Days for this term are:

  • Monday 13th April
  • Monday 20th July

Students should not attend school on these days.

 

 

First Half Term Dates
Start Tuesday, 14th April
End Friday, 22nd May
Half Term Holiday Dates
Start Monday, 25th May
End Friday, 29th May
Second Half Term Dates
Start Monday, 1st June
End Friday, 17th July