Term 1
This term, Year 6’s topic has been Rainforest. Our key question was, ‘Is it worth saving the rainforest?’, as a part of this question we have researched the production of palm oil and have written a discussion text to explore whether it is a problem or not. We have also used a video clip from The Jungle Book to write a mystery story, in which we focused on writing settings in narratives.   Our first term of maths has seen the children exploring the numbers to ten million, refining their addition and subtraction skill as well as honing their arithmetic skills.  In foundation subjects, the children have reviewed their understanding of continents and where we can find rainforests around the world.

This term we have been focusing on settling in to year six life, this has involved getting used to outdoor maths which we have enjoyed immensely. We also worked hard to ensure our harvest art was up to scratch in creating sculptures of harvest fruit.  Also this term five of children had the chance to go to Bordeaux as part of the Bristol Community of Purpose initiative where the children worked with other primary school from varying communities. We were extremely proud!

Other highlights:

• We have elected school council members.
• Took part in an online webinar with author Katherine Rundell.
• Did their first SATs practice.
• Both classes had their class assemblies

Term 3
This term, Year 6’s topic has been Electricity. Our key question was, ‘How is our life powered?’ As part of our writing unit the children used the story of Frankenstein’s Monster to produce a series of diary entries leading up to the grim creation. We have been focusing on our ability to influence the reader and the children have shown a flair for horror writing.  

In maths, we have put huge efforts into our fraction knowledge. The children have worked very hard and impressed all of the year 6 adults! 

In our foundation subjects, the children studied the components of electrical circuits and even made their own torches.  

On top of this, the children have completed mock SAT’s tests and showed great resilience: we are extremely proud.

Term 2
This term, Year 6’s topic has been World War 2. Our key question was, ‘What would have happened to me in WW2?’ As part of our writing unit, the children created formal letters on children being evacuated, and the Ultimatum Letter Sir Neville Chamberlain sent to Hitler.  

In our foundation subjects, the children studied the history of the war using independent research and applied this in their writing.  

The children also went to the Aerospace Museum where they took part in a workshop in creating periscopes, they also soaked up the history behind what part Bristol played in WW2’s RAF-getting to see real planes from the past and even old German bombs. Additionally, the children got to see the Concorde which they were most definitely awe struck with the scale of this fantastic machine. 

Term 4 

This term began with an exciting day planned by a Polar Explorer. Antony Jinman is a renowned polar explorer, the twelfth Brit to ski to both poles as well as solo skiing to the geographical South Pole. He brought some of his kit for us to try on, showed us photographs that he had taken and planned some science experiments for us to try.  He even had a photograph of a Fair Furlong Flag flying at one of the Poles!!  One experiment was to make ‘blubber gloves’ using lard instead of whale or seal blubber and plastic bags. We found that we could keep the hand in the ‘Blubber Glove’ submerged in freezing water much longer than the one without. 

We also made a mock glacier using plasticine for the mountains and corn flour paste to flow in the way that the ice would. 

This term, Year 6’s topic has been Polar Exploration. As part of our writing unit, the children re-created the story of Ice Trap using some great descriptive language to re-tell the story of Shackleton and his mission to save his stranded crew. They also prepared information texts about the continent of Antarctica  

In maths, we have covered ratio, angles and converting measure. We have also focused on how data is displayed and begun to consider how to interpret it. 

In our foundation subjects, the children studied the Polar Regions and learnt the similarities and differences between the Arctic and the Antarctic, as well as amassing a huge amount of knowledge about the Antarctic regions. 

Mock SATs:  
The children had their last mock SATs this term. They have done such an amazing job throughout this year and are well on the way to being ready for the big week next term. We are impressed with their resilience and enthusiasm in wanting to do well. So much so that all staff involved were really proud of them!