As the sun shines bright and we reach the final term of the year, we will journey to Benin from 900 to 1300 AD! The children will explore Africa’s past, discovering key events in Benin’s history, the significance of the Benin bronzes, and examining the decline of this remarkable kingdom, including the impact of colonialism. In addition, we’ll link to geography by exploring Benin’s location in relation to the Equator and the Tropics, while considering trade links and the distribution of vital natural resources.

English In English, we will embark on a thrilling exploration of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, delving into its dark themes and complex characters. Alongside this, we will discover the humorous, heartfelt, and profoundly moving narrative of Wonder by R.J. Palacio. These texts will not only expand our literary horizons but will also provide excellent writing and reading opportunities. Prepare to engage in discussions that inspire and provoke thought, allowing us to truly get our teeth into these extraordinary works!

Our class book, Children of the Benin Kingdom, is a fast-paced adventure story set in one of Africa’s most fascinating civilisations—the Edo Kingdom of Benin. Written by British Nigerian author Dinah Orji, the book appeals to any child who enjoys being transported to another world. It is a story of friendship, loyalty, and the bonds of family. Rich in historical detail and the cultural traditions of West Africa, it is also a perfect example of accurate historical fiction—ideal for celebrating Black history.

SATs In the first half of the summer term, Year 6 will sit their SATs tests. This will take place during the week beginning Monday 12th May. The children have all been working incredibly hard throughout the year, and for the first half of this term we will incorporate some revision into our lessons. However, our timetable will continue to cover all subject areas.

After SATs Once the children have completed their SATs, we will continue to deliver the curriculum, following a similar timetable structure. We will complete the Year 6 maths curriculum and then move on to The Fiver Challenge—giving children the opportunity to work in teams to develop a business strategy and raise money for a charity of their choice.

We will continue developing our knowledge of writing different genres in English and the pupils will spend time reflecting on their time in primary school as they write their yearbook entries.

Spelling Spelling skills are taught in school using the Spelling Shed scheme. We use this opportunity to explore and collect a wide and rich vocabulary.

Please encourage children to log in and practise their weekly words. There will be a half-termly test of twenty words taken at random from the previous six weeks’ lists. Children will also be encouraged to revise the previous term’s spellings and focus on high-frequency words that are commonly misspelled.

Reading at Home The children will continue to have the opportunity to change their reading books as needed. We regularly check that selected books are appropriately challenging and cover a variety of genres. Please continue the fantastic effort by reading to your child and listening to them read as much as possible. Don’t forget to fill in the Reading Record—it is very important! Re-reading passages, discussing the text, and engaging in conversations about the material are all incredibly valuable activities.

Homework Each week, a spelling activity will be available on Ed Shed, and we encourage reading at home at least three times a week—please record this in your child’s Reading Record, which will be checked every Thursday. A maths task will be set on Fridays and is due the following Thursday. Furthermore, twice a term we will have a Learning Log activity. It is important for all children to complete their homework, so please do reach out via email if any challenges arise. Happy learning!

PE is timetabled for Wednesday’s and Thursdays, but this is subject to change due to weather conditions. To ensure your child is fully prepared for every session, please send in their PE kit every Monday, and it will return home on Friday. It’s vital that the kit fits comfortably and is appropriate for daily use. Included in the kit should be a jumper, jogging bottoms, shorts, t-shirt, trainers, and spare socks. Having the correct kit ensures that your child can participate actively and enjoyably in their PE lessons. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please make sure your child brings in a named water bottle daily.

Trips and Shows We are absolutely thrilled about our upcoming trip to the theatre to see Wicked on Wednesday 18th June. This fantastic opportunity will truly open the children’s eyes to the magic of theatre. Building on this experience, we will be staging The Wizard of Oz production at the end of the summer term to WOW and delight everyone. Expect an unforgettable show filled with singing, dancing, and captivating storytelling. Let the adventure begin!

Year 6 are also going on their residential trip for one night, from Thursday 19th June to Friday 20th June. We are looking forward to another trip away—it will be a brilliant opportunity for the class to spend time together toward the end of the year.

Thank you for your continued support,

Miss Holdford