Year 6
Internet Safety
Click on the picture if you're worried about something that has happened to you or a member of your family online.
You can also use Worry Bot to report any concerns you have to the school.
Welcome to Year 6!
Our Year 6 class teachers this year are:
Hello, I am Mrs Varachhia and I teach Rowling class. As well as a year 6 teacher, I am Assistant Head and I am in charge of Maths. I am also a Designated Safeguarding Lead and I support teachers who are new to teaching. I am a massive Lego fan and one of my favourite things to do in my spare time is building Harry Potter Lego kits.
Hi, I'm Mr Lavender and I teach Shakespeare class. I am responsible for Writing and Oracy and I am also a Designated Safeguarding Lead. In my spare time, I like to go to the gym and I am also a video game geek. My favourite game to play is the Legend of Zelda. Lastly, my favourite animals are dogs and I have a miniature Schnauzer called Sock.
My name is Miss Winn - I teach in Year 6 in Newton class and excitedly, this is my second year teaching at Queens! I am responsible for leading History and Geography in our school and our approach to teaching the curriculum in these subjects, which we do through a narrative approach.
Curriculum In Action
Autumn Term
Maths:
This term in maths, Year 6 students will deepen their understanding of several key topics. They will begin by reinforcing their knowledge of number and place value, ensuring they can confidently read, write, and order numbers, including those into the millions. They will also explore negative numbers, learning how to calculate and reason with numbers below zero, particularly in real-life contexts such as temperature and money. As the term progresses, students will tackle calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, with an emphasis on developing efficient mental and written methods. They will also dive into fractions, working on comparing, simplifying, and calculating with fractions to further enhance their understanding of this important concept. Through a combination of problem-solving tasks and practice exercises, students will build their confidence and competence in these foundational areas of mathematics.
English:
This term, Year 6 students will be developing their writing skills across a variety of text types. They will begin by exploring setting descriptions, learning how to create vivid and atmospheric environments using descriptive language. Following this, they will delve into character descriptions, focusing on crafting well-rounded characters with rich personalities and backgrounds. In addition to creative writing, students will also practice more formal writing styles. They will write a formal letter, where they will learn the conventions of professional communication, and an informal letter to compare the differences in tone and style.
Reading:
This term, Year 6 students will immerse themselves in the captivating novel The Girl of Ink and Stars. Through extended reading sessions, they will explore the rich themes, characters, and plot of this exciting adventure story. As they journey alongside the protagonist, they will focus on enhancing their fluency skills, working to improve their word recognition, language comprehension, and intonation. Students will practice reading aloud, paying attention to how punctuation and sentence structure influence expression and pacing. This will help them develop a deeper understanding of the text, while also building confidence in their reading abilities. Alongside fluency work, there will be opportunities to analyze key moments in the story, discuss themes, and make predictions, fostering both enjoyment and critical thinking in reading. By the end of the term, students will have strengthened their fluency skills and will be well-prepared to tackle more complex texts with increased confidence and understanding.
RE:
In R.E. this term, Year 6 students will begin by exploring the rich traditions and practices of Judaism. They will study key aspects of the Jewish faith, including its history, beliefs, and religious ceremonies. Through engaging discussions and activities, students will gain a deeper understanding of how these traditions have shaped Jewish culture and community life over centuries. Following this, the class will explore the broader theme of how beliefs and ideas about the land shape the way human beings live. Students will examine different religious and cultural perspectives on the significance of land, and how these beliefs influence the way people relate to their environment, make decisions, and build communities. By the end of the term, students will have developed a well-rounded understanding of Judaism and will be able to reflect on the profound connections between faith, culture, and our relationship with the land.
History:
This term, Year 6 students will delve into the fascinating world of the Ancient Greeks, exploring the many ways in which this remarkable civilization has shaped our modern world. They will study key aspects of Greek culture, including the birth of democracy, the rise of philosophy, the origins of the Olympics, the development of theatre, and the enduring influence of Greek architecture. A key focus of the term will be the story of Lord Elgin and the Elgin Marbles, through which students will examine the historical significance and lasting debate around these ancient artifacts. This will help them understand the broader impact of Ancient Greece on modern society and raise important questions about cultural heritage and ownership. By the end of the term, students will not only have a deeper understanding of Ancient Greek history but also an appreciation for how its ideas and innovations continue to influence the world today.
Science:
This term in science, Year 6 students will be investigating the fascinating world of the heart and circulatory system. They will learn about the structure and function of the heart, understanding how it pumps blood around the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells. Through hands-on activities and experiments, students will explore the components of the circulatory system, including blood vessels and blood, and how they work together to maintain a healthy body. They will also study the impact of lifestyle choices, such as exercise and diet, on heart health. By the end of the term, students will have a comprehensive understanding of how the heart and circulatory system work, as well as the importance of maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.
Music:
This term in music, Year 6 students will explore the captivating piece "Fingal's Cave" by Felix Mendelssohn and discover how the natural beauty and mystery of this famous Scottish landmark have inspired musicians throughout history. Through listening and analysis, students will delve into how Mendelssohn used music to evoke the powerful imagery of the cave and the sea. They will also explore how Fingal's Cave has influenced other composers and musicians over the years, inspiring works across different musical genres. Students will discuss themes of nature in music, learn about musical techniques like dynamics and tempo, and even experiment with creating their own compositions inspired by nature. By the end of the term, students will have gained a deeper appreciation of how nature can inspire musical creativity and how the legacy of Fingal's Cave continues to echo through the world of music.
PSHE:
This term, Year 6 students will engage with the "Me in My World" unit, which focuses on understanding their role within their community and how they can contribute as responsible and hardworking members of society. Students will explore concepts such as community, responsibility, and personal development. They will discuss how their individual actions impact others and the community, and consider ways to be active, positive participants in their environment. Topics will include setting goals, working collaboratively, and understanding the importance of various roles and contributions in society. By the end of the term, students will have a clearer sense of their place in the community and will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to make meaningful contributions both now and in the future.
Computing:
This term, Year 6 students will be learning how to use Microsoft Excel to enhance their computing skills. They will start with the basics, including how to create and format spreadsheets, input data, and use simple formulas to perform calculations. As they become more familiar with Excel, students will explore more advanced features such as creating charts and graphs to visually represent data,and using functions to analyze and manipulate information. They will also learn how to organize data effectively and use Excel for practical purposes, such as budgeting or tracking information. By the end of the term, students will have developed a solid understanding of Excel’s capabilities and be able to apply their skills to various tasks and projects, making them more confident and proficient in using this powerful tool.
In Spring 2, we will be learning:
- Maths: Long division, calculating fractions and BODMAS
- Writing: Descriptive writing – describing the setting of a haunted house and diary writing linked to WW2. We will also focus on the use of dialogue.
- Reading: We will continue to explore a variety of different genres including classic texts, biographies, historical fiction and Shakespeare.
- History: We will be looking at how WW2 affected our local area – in particular Coventry. We have a trip to Coventry cathedral where we will learn about the Coventry Blitz as well as having a guided tour of the whole cathedral.
- Science: Our Science topic focusses on expanding our knowledge of electricity. We will explore the different components of a circuit and investigate how the different components of a circuit work together
- RE: We will be looking what difference the resurrection makes to Christians and how this impacts on their daily life.
- PE: We will be working on applying the skills we learnt in Spring 1 to a tennis match.
- Art: Year 6 children will learn about Greek pottery and how Ancient Greeks painters used the pottery surface to tell stories of everyday life, traditions, celebrations, as well as stories about battles, legends, heroes and gods and goddesses. They will create amphoras using mosaic materials and techniques, mix textures and combine visual and tactile qualities. The artist spotlight is on Henri Rousseau, the most celebrated as being one of the best native artists. Alongside learning about his life and work, the children will practise on exploring more sketching techniques, printing with Styrofoam pads and use paper collage to create jungle like art pieces in the style of Henri Rousseau.
- Computing: Our coding unit will continue
- PSHE: Rowling and Shakespeare will be covering the Changing me unit which will include content such as conception to birth, relationships and puberty and feelings.
COVENTRY CATHEDRAL
GEOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
In Spring 1, Year 6 children focussed on the following topics in each subject:
- Maths: Fractions, decimals and percentages, coordinates and statistics
- Writing: Non-Chronological reports and balanced arguments – both of which tied in with our Geography work
- Reading: We focussed on the authors Katherine Rundell and Benjamin Zephaniah and we looked at extracts about climate change and action
- Geography: We covered the second part of our Biomes and Climates topic which focussed on sustainability and making more use of our unused biomes to combat global warming
- Science: We learnt about Carl Linnaeus and his classification system and looked at how to classify animals, plants and micro-organisms in our “Life’s too sort” topic as well as looking of what made bread go mouldy
- RE: We looked at death and the afterlife and how religion helps us cope when things get hard
- PE: We developed our hand eye coordination through the game of tennis. Newton also began their swimming lessons
- Art: Year 6 children practiced their sketching skills, investigated colours and colour psychology as a determinant of human cultural behaviour, learnt about aboriginal art and produced wonderful art work with the pointillism technique
- Computing: We began our termly topic of coding. We analysed the software called Microsoft Kodu and began to develop landscape and terrain
- PSHE: Rowling and Shakespeare looked at the topic Relationships which covered mental health, loss, power and control. Newton looked at the topic of Dreams and Goals which covered future aspirations and careers.