Year 5

WELCOME TO YEAR 5

We are so excited to welcome you to Year 5, a year filled with adventure, creativity and discoveries that will take you across the world, into the past and even out into space!

Together, we will embark on learning journeys that challenge your thinking, spark your imagination and help you grow as confident, curious learners.

We begin our year by travelling across the Atlantic to the United States of America, where we explore dramatic landscape features, investigate the powerful weather of Tornado Alley and learn how populations vary across such a vast nation.

Back in the classroom, we dive into the thought‑provoking themes of There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom by Louis Sachar. Through this brilliant story, we explore friendship, behaviour, emotions and how we can grow into the very best versions of ourselves. Alongside this, we design and create our own healthy pizzas, learning how the choices we make can help us lead active, balanced lifestyles.

Our learning takes us on an unforgettable trip to the Greater Manchester Police Museum, where we discover the fascinating history of crime and punishment from the past to the present day. This immersive experience helps us understand justice, fairness and how the law has changed through time.

As musicians, we begin learning how to play the trumpet. With dedication, practice and a lot of fun, we prepare a performance to share with our adults, an exciting milestone in our musical journeys.

Later in the year, we venture far beyond Earth as we immerse ourselves in the mysteries of space through a thrilling VR experience. This leads us into our global learning project on climate change and global warming, where we think critically about the challenges facing our planet today. Using our new knowledge, we design our own alternative planets and present them at our very own NASA Conference.

Our travels through time continue as we explore why the Anglo‑Saxons and Vikings came to Britain, uncovering their journeys across the seas, their battles, settlements and lasting influence. We also discover what life was like for the Ancient Maya, a civilisation rich in culture, astronomy and tradition.

Finally, we step back onto the stage of history to read and experience Macbeth, bringing Shakespeare’s dramatic world of ambition, mystery and magic alive in Year 5.

With all of these incredible experiences, paired with the determination, teamwork and enthusiasm we see in our classrooms every day, we know this will be a year to remember. We cannot wait to learn, explore and grow together.

The Year Five Team

AUTUMN

Our first theme of the year is USA – Is it all the same? This exciting project launches our learning for Year 5 as we travel across the Atlantic to explore the remarkable diversity of the United States. We investigate a range of states, comparing their geographical and physical features from sweeping mountain ranges to vast deserts, bustling cities and dramatic coastlines.

As part of our research, you will become experts in a chosen state, gathering persuasive facts and fascinating information to encourage families and friends to come and visit. By the end of the unit, you will have created a detailed and eye‑catching presentation, showcasing everything your state has to offer.

As winter approaches, our science learning turns frosty as we work scientifically to explore materials and their properties. We test, compare and evaluate different materials to find out which ones are best at slowing down melting - perfect for protecting a snowman on a chilly winter day! Through hands‑on investigations, we also examine solutions and mixtures, discovering how different substances behave when they combine.

A highlight of the term for many children is our learning about Crime and Punishment. This fascinating topic takes us back through time to explore how criminals were treated in the past and how justice has changed throughout the ages. Our trip to the Greater Manchester Police Museum brings this learning vividly to life. Here, children step inside historic cells, meet knowledgeable guides and uncover some truly gruesome punishments used hundreds of years ago. A visit from a local police officer deepens our understanding and helps us consider how modern policing keeps our communities safe today. 

SPRING

Spring in Year 5 is our most thrilling term yet, as we launch ourselves into the extraordinary depths of outer space. Our adventure begins with a mission to understand our solar system: the movement of the planets, how we see the moon, and why our world shifts from day into night. Through hands‑on investigations, models and virtual explorations, we uncover the science that makes our universe so awe‑inspiring.

As we learn about the challenges facing our own planet, we begin an ambitious project: the creation of Planet B. With Earth dying, humanity needs an alternative and it is your job to design it. You will write detailed non‑chronological reports, explaining everything from climates and landscapes to habitats and inhabitants. Using glue guns and creative construction skills, you will design and build intricate structures to support life on your planet. You will then sculpt and paint 3D mod‑roc models, bringing your new world to life.

Every mission needs identity, so you will design your very own mission badge, complete with a slogan powerful enough to represent your planet’s purpose. With this in hand, you will move into advertising, producing persuasive posters and adverts to convince your audience that Planet B is humanity’s best hope for survival.

In Art, we explore space through an entirely different lens: abstraction. Inspired by artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, you will experiment with colour, movement and emotion to create your own abstract pieces that express what space means to you. These stunning artworks bring together creativity, imagination and the wonder of our galaxy.

But our adventures don’t stop there. We then travel back through time to step into the dark and dangerous world of Macbeth. As we read Shakespeare’s gripping tale of ambition and betrayal, we become detectives of drama, piecing together the events that unfold around King Duncan’s death. You will write your own newspaper report announcing the murder, capturing tension, fear and the suspicion spreading through Scotland. Finally, you will step into Macbeth’s troubled mind, crafting a dramatic soliloquy that reveals his guilt, fear and consuming ambition.

Spring is a term filled with imagination, innovation and powerful storytelling—a time when our learning takes us beyond our world and deep into the past. It is a journey like no other.

SUMMER

As the weather warms and the days grow longer, our Summer Term learning takes us on a journey across some of the most important rivers of the world. Through geography and literature, we discover how rivers shape landscapes, support settlements and influence life across the globe. Our class text, The Explorer by Katherine Rundell, becomes our compass as we explore survival, nature and adventure deep within the Amazon. We learn why people throughout history built their lives along riverbanks, how rivers differ across continents and why they remain vital to communities today.

In Art, we channel the movement, colour and flow of water to create our very own river collages. Layering textures, patterns and mixed media, we produce beautiful pieces that capture the energy and serenity of these remarkable natural features.

Our theme then shifts closer to home as we explore a unique local study: the history and importance of Manchester Airport. We investigate how it has grown over time, how it supports our region and how it connects millions of passengers to destinations all around the world. This topic gives us insight into local industry, transport and the impact of air travel on Greater Manchester and beyond.

We round off the term and the year with an exciting Design Technology project. Here, we explore a range of mechanisms as we design and build our very own moving vehicles. Through testing, refining and problem‑solving, we learn how gears, axles and wheels work together to create motion. The finished cars showcase creativity, engineering skills and a huge amount of determination.

Summer in Year 5 brings together everything we have learned: curiosity, creativity, resilience and teamwork. It is a term filled with discovery, pride and celebration ready to prepare us for the challenges and opportunities of Year 6. 

SUMMER

As the weather warms and the days grow longer, our Summer Term learning takes us on a journey across some of the most important rivers of the world. Through geography and literature, we discover how rivers shape landscapes, support settlements and influence life across the globe. Our class text, The Explorer by Katherine Rundell, becomes our compass as we explore survival, nature and adventure deep within the Amazon. We learn why people throughout history built their lives along riverbanks, how rivers differ across continents and why they remain vital to communities today.

In Art, we channel the movement, colour and flow of water to create our very own river collages. Layering textures, patterns and mixed media, we produce beautiful pieces that capture the energy and serenity of these remarkable natural features.

Our theme then shifts closer to home as we explore a unique local study: the history and importance of Manchester Airport. We investigate how it has grown over time, how it supports our region and how it connects millions of passengers to destinations all around the world. This topic gives us insight into local industry, transport and the impact of air travel on Greater Manchester and beyond.

We round off the term and the year with an exciting Design Technology project. Here, we explore a range of mechanisms as we design and build our very own moving vehicles. Through testing, refining and problem‑solving, we learn how gears, axles and wheels work together to create motion. The finished cars showcase creativity, engineering skills and a huge amount of determination.

Summer in Year 5 brings together everything we have learned: curiosity, creativity, resilience and teamwork. It is a term filled with discovery, pride and celebration ready to prepare us for the challenges and opportunities of Year 6.

Values

A Connected Environment

In Year 5, we believe that learning is at its best when we are connected, connected to each other, to our learning and to our wider school community. We work collectively throughout the year, building an environment where every member of the year group is valued, encouraged and supported.

Our curriculum is carefully designed to help us make meaningful connections. In Maths, we learn through games and collaborative tasks, building our fluency and confidence together. As experts in our thematic learning, we work in teams to investigate the diverse states of the USA, become geographers as we study the world’s rivers, and step into the shoes of scientists, explorers and researchers throughout the year.

Connection with families plays an important role in Year 5. Parents and carers join us for key events such as our exciting NASA Space Conference, where we showcase our non‑chronological reports, models and mission designs. They also come together to watch our trumpet concert, celebrating our musical achievements, and cheer us on at the Summer Supper performance.

Beyond our own year group, we stay connected with the rest of Key Stage 2. We support Year 3 in their Nativity performance at St John’s Church, joining together in song and celebration. We also share our planet models and expert writing with Year 6, strengthening relationships across the school and celebrating the journey we are all part of.

Throughout every theme, every lesson and every project, we become teams of experts collaborating, communicating and learning from each other. In Year 5, connection is at the heart of everything we do, helping us grow not only academically, but as responsible, thoughtful members of our school community.

A Creative Outlook

In Year 5, creativity is woven through everything we do. Our themes invite you to think imaginatively, whether you’re designing a brand‑new planet, building mechanisms for a moving vehicle or composing persuasive adverts for our NASA mission. We use creative thinking to explore the world around us: investigating scientific questions, uncovering geographical discoveries and responding to stories in thoughtful and original ways. In Art, we take inspiration from abstract artists to express ideas about space, and we use mixed media to produce striking river collages. Creativity also shapes our writing, from dramatic pieces inspired by Macbeth to detailed reports and imaginative narrative work. Across the curriculum, we encourage bold ideas, problem‑solving and enthusiasm for trying something new.

A Positive Mindset

In Year 5, a positive mindset shines through everything our children do as they embrace each new challenge with curiosity, determination and enthusiasm. Whether they are comparing the vast landscapes of the USA, investigating the science behind melting ice or stepping into the shoes of characters in There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom, they show resilience by tackling complex ideas and reflecting on how they can grow as learners and as people. Their positive attitude is clear when they practise the trumpet, persevering through tricky notes until they can proudly perform for an audience, and when they explore the mysteries of space, using creativity and problem solving to design their own alternative planets. As they journey through history from the Vikings to Macbeth, they approach each topic with confidence, asking thoughtful questions and pushing themselves to think deeply. Even in hands on projects such as building moving vehicles or crafting abstract art inspired by space, they demonstrate a willingness to experiment, adapt and improve. Across the year, our children show that a positive mindset is not just about getting things right but about embracing challenges, learning from mistakes and celebrating the progress they make along the way.

A Caring Nature

In Year 5, our caring nature is at the heart of everything we do as children learn to support one another, show empathy and make thoughtful choices that help their community thrive. From the very beginning of the year, they demonstrate kindness by working collaboratively on their USA projects, listening to each other’s ideas and celebrating the strengths each person brings. When exploring the themes in There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom, they reflect deeply on friendship, emotions and how our actions affect others, showing real compassion as they discuss how characters can grow and change. During our visit to the Greater Manchester Police Museum, they consider fairness and justice, thinking carefully about how society cares for people and keeps them safe. Their caring attitudes shine in practical ways too, such as when they design healthy pizzas to promote balanced lifestyles or when they work together to build Planet B, ensuring their new worlds support life and protect the environment. As they journey through history, literature and science, they consistently show respect for different cultures, viewpoints and experiences. Whether they are helping a partner master a tricky trumpet note, encouraging a friend during a challenging investigation or collaborating on creative art and design projects, our children show that caring for others is not just a value but a way of being. Throughout the year, they prove that a caring nature strengthens our learning, our friendships and our whole school community.

An Active Approach​

In Year 5, an active approach to learning is woven through every topic as children throw themselves into new experiences with energy, curiosity and a willingness to get involved. Whether they are investigating the diverse landscapes of the USA, experimenting with materials in science or stepping into the world of Shakespeare, they learn by doing, exploring and questioning. Their learning becomes truly hands on as they build healthy pizzas, construct models of Planet B, create abstract art inspired by space or design moving vehicles that showcase real engineering thinking. During visits such as the Greater Manchester Police Museum, they engage fully with the world around them, asking thoughtful questions and making meaningful connections to their classroom learning. Even in music, they show this active spirit as they practise the trumpet, respond to feedback and work towards a confident performance. Across the year, our children show that learning is not a passive experience but an exciting journey that grows stronger when they participate, collaborate and take ownership of their progress. Their enthusiasm and involvement bring every lesson to life and help them develop the independence and confidence they will carry into Year 6.

Home Learning

In Year 5, we believe that regular home learning helps children develop strong study habits, independence and responsibility as they prepare for the upper years of school. Tasks are designed to be purposeful and manageable, giving children the chance to revisit key skills and build confidence in their learning. We ask that home learning takes no more than 20 minutes each evening, with an additional 15 minutes of daily reading to strengthen fluency and understanding. If children ever need support or have difficulty accessing online resources, they are welcome to complete tasks in school where help is available. Our home learning focuses on core skills such as reading, weekly spellings on Spelling Shed and times tables practice on TT Rock Stars, ensuring every child has the essential tools they need to succeed.

Reading

In Year 5, we continue to nurture a genuine love of reading both in school and at home. Our inviting reading corners and well stocked library offer a wide range of exciting books, and our reading monitors help keep our shelves fresh and engaging. Across the year, we enjoy sharing a selection of rich class novels that spark discussion, deepen understanding and inspire thoughtful conversations. To support fluency and comprehension, we ask children to read at home for around 15 minutes each day. We encourage parents to talk with their child about what they are reading, ask questions and explore ideas together. We are always happy to recommend books and we love hearing about new favourites from home.

Fluency Work – Spellings and Times Tables

In Year 5, we know that regular practice helps children secure the core skills they need for confident learning. Weekly spellings are uploaded to Spelling Shed for children to practise at home, and these words are also taught and applied in class. Although we do not formally test spellings, we encourage children to revisit them often to strengthen accuracy in their writing. Times tables remain an important focus, and TT Rock Stars continues to support our maths learning. By practising little and often, children build speed, confidence and accuracy in both multiplication and division. We celebrate their achievements on TTRS and encourage daily use to help them become fluent, secure and ready for the challenges of upper Key Stage 2.