Year 5 are taught by Mrs Gardner and Mrs Higgon.

Mrs Adom-Baffour, Ms Hall and Mrs Prince are our Year 5 Teaching Assistants.

All children will have a colour-banded book and a library book to take home and they will be able to change this every Wednesday. Year 5 PE days are Tuesdays and Fridays – PE kit is to be worn to school on these days.

Home Learning is provided and to be returned via your child’s Google Classroom. If you need to contact the team please email: enquiries@kgagomer.uk

Please see below for a Curriculum Overview for the year.

Summer Term

Our Literacy curriculum for the first half of the term will maintain a strong connection with our Humanities studies, ensuring our writing is grounded in rich historical context. We will begin by immersing ourselves in the daily lives and cultural rituals of the Maya Civilisation, providing students with the authentic detail required to create evocative diary entries. By stepping into the shoes of an individual from this ancient society, the children will practice writing in the first person, capturing personal reflections and sensory details of the vibrant world around them.

Building on this narrative foundation, our focus will then shift to the art of journalistic writing. Students will work to create a mystery newspaper report, learning how to balance factual reporting with a sense of intrigue. This unit will challenge them to utilize formal language, direct speech, and the “inverted pyramid” structure to engage their readers and convey complex events clearly. Throughout these writing units, we will continue to diligently hone our editing skills, refining word choices, spelling, and punctuation to ensure every piece of work reaches a professional standard.

In Mathematics, we will begin by revisiting and expanding upon our understanding of shape, with a particular focus on the precision of perimeter and area. Students will move beyond basic calculations to solve complex problems involving rectilinear and compound shapes, ensuring a solid foundation in spatial measurement.

Our journey will then progress into the intricate world of Geometry, where we will explore the properties of shape, alongside position and direction. This will be complemented by our work in Measurement, where the children will master the complexities of time, unit conversion, and volume. To ensure our foundations remain unshakable, daily rapid recall exercises will reinforce key concepts from Year 5.

In Music, we will begin the term by consolidating our foundational knowledge through a series of hands-on, practical activities. Our focus will start with the ukulele, where students will develop their instrumental dexterity and learn to master essential chords and strumming patterns. Following this, our musical journey will take a turn toward the vibrant world of hip-hop as we study the iconic “Prince of Bel-Air.” This unit will see the children deconstructing the composition of rap and hip-hop music, exploring the history of the genre while crafting their own original lyrics, harmonies, and beats. 

In Computing, our students will dive into the cutting-edge world of robotics and programming by engaging in sophisticated coding activities using Lego Spikes and Scratch. Building upon their existing knowledge of algorithms, the children will work to bridge the gap between digital code and physical movement. They will learn to employ a variety of sensors, including touch, distance, and colour sensors, within their Lego Spike builds.

As they master these hardware integrations, the focus will shift toward software development as they use Scratch to design and build their own interactive games. This unit challenges students to think logically about “if-then” statements, variables, and game physics, fostering a deep understanding of user experience. 

During the initial phase of the summer term, our science curriculum will delve into the exploration of forces, with an exciting visit to Paultons Park to provide context through real-life examples. Through the use of gSTEM,  students will have the opportunity to design roller coasters and explore scale models, fostering Engineering Habits Of Mind (EHOM).

Transitioning to the latter part of the term, our scientific focus will shift towards the study of animals, including humans. Students will revisit the diverse life cycles of mammals, amphibians, insects, and birds, alongside exploring reproduction processes in select plants and animals. Furthermore, discussions surrounding puberty, menstruation, and emotional well-being will be conducted sensitively as part of Personal Development Learning and Relationships and Sex Education (PDL and RSE) sessions, with detailed communication to parents, having been sent out before the Easter break.

In Religious Education, our sessions will delve into the profound significance of The Eucharist within the Christian tradition. Students will explore the historical and spiritual origins of this sacrament, examining how the bread and wine serve as powerful symbols of community, sacrifice, and remembrance. 

Continuing our exploration of world religions, we will further our understanding of Vesak, the most significant festival in the Buddhist calendar. This unit focuses on how Buddhists commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. Students will investigate the diverse ways this “Festival of Light” is celebrated.  Through these comparative studies, we aim to foster a sophisticated respect for the sacred traditions that shape our diverse society.

This term, our Physical Education curriculum moves outdoors as we transition into our high-energy Summer season. Our focus will be split between strategic Invasion Games, technical Athletics, and, ahead of our traditional sports day, we are thrilled to introduce a Mini Marathon challenge. This isn’t just about speed; it’s about stamina, pacing, and resilience.  Then, as we move into the final stages of our Invasion Games unit (such as Football, Tag Rugby, or Netball), the focus shifts from basic skills to advanced tactical awareness.  Finally, our Athletics unit will provide the technical foundation for our upcoming Sports Day. Students will develop and refine the three pillars of track and field.  

Continuing our exploration in Humanities, we will embark on a comparative study of North and South America, moving beyond the map to understand the diverse ways of life across these two vast continents. We will investigate the striking contrasts in climate, culture, and landscape, from the Arctic tundras of the North to the tropical rainforests and Andean peaks of the South.By comparing these regions with the United Kingdom, students will gain a sophisticated understanding of scale and human geography. We will explore how the ‘vastness’ of the Americas differs from our own compact island society, examining how geography shapes everything from city planning to daily traditions. This study will encourage students to reflect on how global connections and historical migrations have shaped both the Americas and our own present-day UK society.

Spring 2026

In Humanities, our focus will be on the fascinating world of the Maya civilization. Throughout the term, the children will immerse themselves in the lives of the Maya, exploring their advanced understanding of astronomy, mathematics, and their enduring impact on Central American culture. 

Our Art curriculum will align closely with this historical theme. Students will study the sophisticated construction of Maya temples, analyzing the intricate stonework and geometric precision of structures like Chichen Itza. This study will serve as a foundation for their own creative work, where they will practice capturing the grandeur of these monuments through drawing and architectural sketches.  This deep dive into Maya culture provides the essential context for our upcoming Literacy units. By understanding the daily lives and societal structures of the Maya people now, students will be perfectly prepared for the summer term, when they will step into the shoes of historical figures to craft their own Maya diary entries.

Our writing journey this term begins with a focus on non-chronological reports, where students will sharpen their formal writing skills by documenting the world’s most extreme environments. They will choose to investigate either the scorching, arid landscape of Death Valley, USA, or the unforgiving, bitter cold of the Yukon, Canada, learning how to organise complex information into professional and informative layouts.

Following this, we will dive into the world of Poetry, continuing to utilise the Bob Cox approach to help students unlock their unique “writer’s voice.” By immersing themselves in high-quality, challenging texts, the children will draw inspiration from the evocative works of Charlotte Brontë and other legendary Victorian poets. This unit encourages a deep appreciation for rhythm, imagery, and sophisticated vocabulary as students craft their own powerful stanzas.

To conclude the term, we will turn our attention to the art of life-writing. Students will research and compose their own biographies based on the incredible legacy of Sir Ernest Shackleton. By exploring the harrowing adventures and heroic leadership of this great British explorer, the children will learn to weave factual accuracy with a compelling narrative, capturing the spirit of endurance that defined Shackleton’s life.

Building on our strong foundation, our mathematical journey this term will see the children mastering the interconnected world of fractions, decimals, and percentages. Students will develop their fluency in converting between these three formats, allowing them to solve increasingly complex problems with confidence and precision.

In Science, our exploration begins with an in-depth study of the properties and changes of materials. The children will act as young scientists, investigating why certain substances are chosen for specific tasks based on their hardness, solubility, transparency, and conductivity. We will explore the fascinating world of reversible and irreversible changes, observing firsthand how chemical reactions can transform the world around us.

Following this, we will apply our scientific understanding to a real-world challenge through a Practical Action STEM project. This initiative focuses specifically on the recycling of plastics, encouraging students to think critically about sustainability and environmental stewardship. By combining their knowledge of material properties with innovative engineering, the children will design solutions to repurpose plastic waste, bridging the gap between classroom theory and global environmental action.

Our Personal Development curriculum continues to empower students by fostering a deep sense of Health and Wellbeing, focusing on our roles as proactive members of a community. A key priority this term is Citizenship, where children will learn to observe and recognize when someone needs help. Through empathy-building exercises, they will develop the discernment to identify when a peer or community member is struggling and understand the appropriate steps to offer support.

To support these social interactions, students will focus on how to exchange dialogue effectively. We will move beyond simple conversation, teaching the children how to listen actively, respond with intent, and maintain a respectful flow of ideas. These open discussions remain rooted in our shared commitment to honesty and respect, ensuring every student feels confident in their ability to communicate their needs and value the voices of others.

In Religious Education, students will embark on a thoughtful examination of the significance of the Buddha for Buddhists. We will delve into his life and teachings, exploring how his journey toward enlightenment continues to serve as a spiritual blueprint for millions of people. This study allows the children to reflect on values of peace, mindfulness, and the pursuit of wisdom.

As we progress through the term, our focus will shift to a central pillar of the Christian faith: the symbolism of ‘The Empty Cross.’ Students will investigate how this powerful image represents hope and the concept of resurrection, contrasting it with other religious iconography to understand its unique theological importance. By comparing these two distinct perspectives, we aim to nurture a deeper understanding of faiths across different traditions, encouraging students to approach the world with an open mind and a respectful heart.

Musically, this term, our students will embark on a vibrant journey through contemporary sound by exploring grime music. Utilizing the engaging resources of the YUMI studio on Charanga, the children will deconstruct the rhythm and flow of this genre, fostering their own creativity and developing an appreciation for modern, urban musical styles.

Building on this rhythmic foundation, our focus will then shift toward instrumental performance as we introduce the recorder. Students will apply their understanding of notation and timing to master this classic instrument, working toward performing a diverse repertoire. This will culminate in the exciting challenge of playing along to iconic hits by ABBA, allowing the children to experience the joy of ensemble playing through some of the most celebrated melodies in pop history.

In Physical Education, our term begins with a dedicated focus on personal health and fitness, where students will explore the science of cardiovascular endurance. The children will learn how to design and execute effective cardio workouts, understanding how sustained physical activity strengthens the heart and improves overall wellbeing. By monitoring their own heart rates and energy levels, they will gain a practical understanding of what it takes to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

As the term progresses, our focus will transition to honing the fundamentals of gymnastics. Students will work on developing core strength, balance, and flexibility while mastering basic shapes and transitions. This unit will culminate in a creative showcase, where the children will compose and perform their own choreographed routines, set to a piece of music of their choice. This allows them to blend technical precision with personal expression, celebrating their progress in a final, rhythmic performance.

Finally, in Computing, our journey begins with a hands-on exploration of physical computing using Micro:bits. The children will develop their coding proficiency by programming these pocket-sized computers to perform various tasks, sharpening their understanding of inputs, outputs, and logical loops. This unit encourages students to think like engineers, troubleshooting their code and finding creative solutions to technical challenges.

Once they have mastered these programming fundamentals, students will transition into the sophisticated world of digital architecture. Utilizing SketchUp, a professional-grade 3D modeling program, the children will apply their spatial awareness to reconstruct the online world of the Maya. In a perfect synthesis of our historical and artistic learning, they will use these digital tools to create detailed, three-dimensional Maya temples. This project not only hones their technical design skills but also allows them to visualize the geometric brilliance of ancient civilizations through a modern, technological lens.

We all look forward to a term filled with curiosity, creativity, and collaborative learning!

Autumn Term 2025

The Year 5 team are delighted to welcome the children back for an exciting new school year, packed with curiosity, creativity, and discovery.

We begin the term in English with a focus on high-quality literature. Our Guided Reading and Writing will centre around The Explorer by Katherine Rundell, a thrilling survival story set in the Amazon Rainforest. This inspiring text will support rich comprehension work and provide a springboard for writing adventure stories packed with vivid descriptions, suspenseful events, and dynamic characters.

In Mathematics, we will begin by strengthening our understanding of Place Value, exploring the meaning behind each digit in increasingly large numbers. We’ll then move into the four operations, focusing on efficient strategies for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Arithmetic practice will form part of our daily routine, with each day focusing on a different skill area to build fluency and confidence. Later in the term, we’ll explore statistics, learning how to interpret data from real-life sources, including charts, graphs, and timetables.

In Science, our first topic is Earth and Space, where we’ll explore the structure of our solar system and consider the question: How do the planets in our solar system prove that gravity exists? Children will take part in investigations, model-making, and a celebration of World Space Week, including an exciting visit to a space-themed expo. In the second half of the term, our focus will be Living Things and Their Habitats, where we’ll explore the fascinating variety of life cycles across different animal groups and share our learning through enquiry and presentation.

In Geography, our key question is: How does Iceland compare to the UK? We’ll explore physical geography, such as volcanoes, glaciers, and investigate human geography, including land use, climate, and population. Children will develop their map-reading and research skills as they compare these two island nations and consider how geography shapes daily life.

In History, we’ll travel back in time to explore the lives, beliefs, and legacies of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. Through artefact study, historical sources, and hands-on projects, we’ll investigate settlement, invasion, and cultural change in Britain over time. We’ll ask key questions about conflict, identity and how these two societies shaped early English history.

A highlight of the second half term will be our residential trip to Stubbington Study Centre. This exciting experience will help children develop teamwork, resilience and a greater appreciation for the natural world.

In Computing, pupils will become digital storytellers. We’ll explore the Amazon Rainforest through the lens of film-making, developing scripts, capturing footage, editing content, and adding sound and effects to produce powerful environmental documentaries.

Art this term will be inspired by the iconic Mexican surrealist, Frida Kahlo. Children will study her use of symbolism and self-expression to create bold, expressive self-portraits that tell their own stories.

In PE, our focus will be on teamwork, collaboration and fair play. Children will develop their skills through striking and fielding games, as well as team invasion sports such as hockey.

In Music, we’ll dive into the Rock genre using the Charanga platform, with Livin’ on a Prayer as our central song. Pupils will learn to sing harmonies, develop pitch and rhythm control, and perform as part of a Year 5 band.

Religious Education this term will focus on the Christian concept of faith, looking at how this is expressed through the Bible. We’ll revisit the nativity story, examining the symbolism behind the gifts of the Magi and exploring the theme of prophecy.

Our Personal Development curriculum begins with a unit on family and relationships, encouraging children to reflect on friendships, boundaries, and self-respect. We’ll also explore key issues such as bullying, stereotyping and discrimination. Alongside this, our Diversity and Equality curriculum will help children understand and celebrate the protected characteristics that make up our wonderfully diverse society.

We are incredibly proud of the rich and varied learning on offer this term and look forward to a brilliant year ahead with our Year 5 pupils.

Summer Term 2025

We can hardly believe that we have reached the final term of Year 5! As we head into this exciting stage of learning, we will be immersed in a dynamic and enriching curriculum designed to deepen our understanding, challenge our thinking, and develop key skills for the future.

Literacy

This term, we are unlocking the power of high-quality texts through Opening Doors, encouraging students to analyse how authors use effects to engage their readers. Our writing will be both analytical and creative, covering a diverse range of genres. Within Non-Fiction we will explore diary writing, memoirs, and explanations – developing precision, structure, and reflective thinking. Within fiction, we will further explore story writing – crafting compelling narratives with rich vocabulary, strong character development, and immersive settings. Throughout, we will refine our editing skills, focusing on sentence fluency, punctuation, and word choices to elevate the effectiveness of our writing.

Mathematics

Building upon mathematical fluency and problem-solving skills remains a priority. This term, we will consolidate our understanding of decimals and percentages, ensuring mastery before moving on to the application of measurement concepts, including weight, length, unit conversions, and volume. Later in the term, we will embark on an exploration of geometry, investigating position and direction, and applying reasoning skills to solve real-world problems.

Science

Scientific enquiry is at the heart of our learning this term. We will adopt an investigative approach to deepen conceptual understanding through two key themes. In our Forces topic we will be exploring gravity and investigating whether unsupported objects fall to Earth at different speeds. In our Animals Including Humans topic we will examine how bodies age differently and gather information to understand key biological changes. These topics will develop students’ ability to test and evaluate scientific ideas with confidence.

Computing

Through a combination of creativity and problem-solving, we will further develop our programming skills. We will be using LEGO Spikes and a range of coding platforms to design, test, and refine our own interactive programs.

Creative Arts

In Art we will be drawing inspiration from the fascinating Mayan civilization and explore how artists use colour to convey mood, developing technical skills in painting and mixed media. In Music our focus will be on rap and rhythm, using Charanga to explore the structure of hip-hop music, including a study of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. We will also continue our instrumental learning with the ukulele.

History and Geography

This term we will delve into the advanced and intriguing Mayan civilization, uncovering their achievements, societal structures, and legacy. To understand this culture we will explore subjects such as agriculture, mathematics, astronomy and calendar making. Our geographical exploration will take us to Iceland, where we will investigate its unique landscapes, climate, and tectonic activity.

Physical Education 

A varied and engaging term awaits in PE, where we will develop agility, teamwork, and resilience through a range of activities, including athletics, rugby, outdoor adventurous activities and dance. 

Modern Foreign Languages 

The language being explored this term is Spanish. We will be building our confidence by exploring where people live, identifying and describing rooms and locations and looking at the Olympics, including sports vocabulary and key facts.

Religious Education 

This term’s focus is on identity and enlightenment within Christianity – The Eucharist. Exploring themes of belonging, commitment, and faith. We will also explore Wesak and explore the significance of this Buddhist festival and its teachings on enlightenment.

Personal Development 

We continue to embed the values of respect, inclusivity, and personal growth through discussions and activities focusing on Safety and prevention – equipping students with essential life skills. Within diversity and acceptance we will explore fostering empathy and understanding of others and in our growing and changing topic, we will be navigating personal development with confidence.

As we embrace the final term of Year 5, we look forward to a summer filled with curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. It promises to be a fantastic journey of learning and discovery!