Year 6 2022-23

Dear Parent/Carer,

I cannot believe it is the summer term already – and Year 6’s last one at Haddon!

Year 6 worked so hard last term, and considering how short it was, they all did brilliantly and made so much progress! They all really embraced the idea of Fairtrade and what this means for individuals and communities around the world. The fact we are now recognised as a ‘Fair Aware’ school is a real credit to all the children.

English: over the course of this term, the children will be writing in a variety of genres including a playscript, narrative text, and a biography. This term’s enquiry looks at the following question: Is change always good? Key texts will include Dickens’ Oliver Twist, and Street Child by Berlie Doherty, which both link to the period of change during the Industrial Revolution.

Maths: this term, our maths curriculum will conclude with ‘statistics’ and ‘properties of shape’; although all units will have been covered, maths will still continue, embedding the key foundations that will stand the children in good stead for Year 7; for example, fractions, decimals and percentages.

Enquiries: The driver for this enquiry will be art, with history enhancing their knowledge. Key artists will be LS Lowry and Barbara Hepworth: they will be producing landscapes inspired by Lowry, using Gedling Country Park as inspiration, and producing an abstract sculpture inspired by Hepworth based on the changes in their lives since they started Haddon. Their artwork – and the rest of the school’s – will be displayed in a whole school art exhibition towards the end of the year.

Science: this term, children will be investigating evolution and inheritance, looking at Darwin’s theory of evolution; and animals including humans – elements of the latter will be covered in our DAaRT content.

PE: PE will be on a Tuesday and Wednesday this term.

Mrs Holmes: on a Thursday, I will be having leadership time each week to support teaching, learning and curriculum developments across the school. Mrs Holmes will continue her fabulous work in Year 6.

Water Bottles: we are encouraging children to bring in a full water bottle with them to keep them hydrated throughout the day.

Support: Miss Hallam will continue to offer her support in both whole class teaching and in small group sessions to help fill gaps in children’s learning. She will also be around for pastoral support for children who require it.

Reading: this is key to children’s learning, and they should be encouraged to read daily. Ideally, they should have two books: one that is suited to their ability, and another they can read and share at home with you.

Home learning: as our run up to SATs gets nearer, homework will still run in the same way as it has. However, once SATs is over, homework may look slightly different as we prepare children for Year 7. Homework will include maths and English but may also be in the way of research for particular topics, or some reading for school content.  

Please look out for the email sent out regarding SATs week – this should give you information about the free breakfast club that will be running during SATs week. Arithmetic club will run until the week before SATs, with the last session on Thursday 4^th May.

Other exciting activities and events are currently being planned for the children for the summer term, so please keep an eye out on Class Dojo for more information!

I’m looking forward to this final term with the children and watching them complete their journey as Haddoners!

With thanks,

Mr Burton.