# data[].attributes.body
Teams is our main form communication between class teachers and parents/guardians. Please check this daily for updates and key information.

The parent newsletter is sent out, via email, on Mondays. Please read this every week for the most recent updates on events.

Monday and Thursday: PE Days - children should come to school in PE kit. This term Peru will be swimming on Thursdays for their PE.

Friday 24th April 2026 (3:30) : Parent Curriculum Meeting in your child's classroom

Friday 22nd May: Last day of Summer 1

Monday 25th May - Friday 29th May: Half term

Monday 1st June 2026: Summer 2 starts

Thursday 25th June: Upper Primary Sports Day

Wednesday 22nd July 2026 (12:30pm finish): Last day of term

Your child's learning is so important to us. This is why their attendance should be 100%. In addition to this, please remember that school lessons start at 8:30am. Please ensure your child arrives at this time.

# data[].attributes.body
Music:

This term in Music, Year 5 will be learning a selection of songs that share uplifting themes of unity, teamwork and celebration, encouraging the children to sing with confidence and expression as part of a larger ensemble.

The children will have the exciting opportunity to perform some of this term's songs at the Hexagon in Reading, showcasing their hard work and talent in a memorable live performance. This fantastic opportunity helps children to build confidence, resilience and pride in their achievements, while also fostering a strong sense of teamwork and community with other schools.

Art: In Art this term, the children will develop skills in creating interesting portrait drawings using words, experimenting with materials and techniques, and constructing self-portraits that represent aspects of themselves.

DT: In DT this term, the children will be making and designing gear and pulley systems and exploring their uses. They will then incorporate this knowledge into designing an eco-gadget bike.

To support your child at home please can you:

1. Help students to learn their words and parts ready for the concert.

2. Encourage drawing without focusing on perfection.

3. Model and draw together.

# data[].attributes.body
Last term was filled with exciting achievements and wonderful memories for Year 5! The children had great fun making doodlers using circuits, in DT, exploring how electrical components can be used creatively.

Brazil had lots of fun during their swimming sessions, and the children have come away with a very important life skill.

It was a joyful and vibrant term of celebrations, as everyone came together to celebrate Eid, Holi and Easter. The children enjoyed learning about different traditions and cultures, helping to build a strong sense of respect and community within the year group.

We also had a fantastic time celebrating World Book Day! The children took part in a range of creative activities, including creating their own comics, making video trailers for their favourite books, and participating in an exciting scavenger hunt. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm for reading shine through in so many imaginative ways.

In Science, the children enjoyed exploring the different stages of the human lifecycle, developing a clear understanding of how humans grow and change from birth to old age. We were delighted to welcome parents into the classroom to share stories about their children’s early development, which helped bring our learning to life. The class also enjoyed looking at baby pictures and taking part in a fun “Guess the Baby” activity, which encouraged thoughtful discussion about how we change over time.

# data[].attributes.body
The children will be discussing environmental issues in Spanish, looking back at how healthy life choices can help the environment.

To support your children at home please could you:

Practice the following Spanish questions at home:

1. ¿Qué haces? (What are you doing?)

2. ¿Cómo vamos a cuidar el medio ambiente? (How are we going to take care of the environment?)

# data[].attributes.body
To start with, we will look at The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes. This poem tells the story of a daring highwayman who defies the king's men to come to the rescue of his love. It features drama and a repeating rhythm that sounds like horses' hooves. Throughout the first half term in Year 5, children will be studying King Midas and the Golden Touch with a focus on character development. It is a wishing tale, where a king finds out that greed almost cost him all that he loved . Parents can help support at home by reading similar Greek myths and discussing the morals behind them.

In the second half term, we will be writing to discuss. This will involve writing a reasoned and balanced overview of an issue of their choosing. We will end the year by looking at From a Railway Carriage (by Robert Louis Stevenson)- a poem about the sounds and sights of a train journey.

To support your child at home please can you :

1. Talk through the story structure together.

2. Practice story mapping with familiar stories.

3. Encourage drawing or visual summaries.

# data[].attributes.body
Throughout the first half of this term, Year 5 will be learning about the properties of materials and how they can be compared and grouped. The children will explore a range of materials, investigating properties such as hardness, solubility, transparency, conductivity and magnetism. They will carry out practical investigations to test and classify materials based on these properties.

In the second half of the term, pupils will focus on changes of materials. They will explore reversible and irreversible changes, including dissolving, filtering, sieving and melting. The children will also investigate how mixing substances can result in new materials being formed. For their composite task, they will plan and carry out their own investigations, presenting their findings clearly using scientific vocabulary and methods.

To support your child at home, please can you:

1. Encourage your child to explore materials around the home, discussing their properties (e.g. hard/soft, transparent/opaque, waterproof/absorbent).

2. Try simple experiments together, such as dissolving sugar or salt in water, or separating mixtures using sieves or filters.

3. Support your child in using scientific language and recording their ideas by drawing diagrams, labelling materials, or writing simple conclusions about what they observe.

# data[].attributes.body
In PE this term, Year 5 will develop their communication, teamwork, and tactical thinking through a variety of engaging activities. The children will explore different roles and responsibilities within a team, learning how to work together effectively, make decisions, and apply simple strategies across a range of games.

They will also build on their tennis skills, with a particular focus on volleying and doubles play. The children will also be building on their ability to work cooperatively with a partner, improving their communication, timing, and understanding of how to support one another during gameplay. Through practice and teamwork, they will improve their control, coordination, and ability to apply skills in match situations.

With Sports Day approaching in Summer 2, the children will enjoy practising and preparing for their chosen events. They will develop confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of team spirit as they work towards taking part in this exciting whole-school event.

# data[].attributes.body
PSHE

PSHE throughout Summer 1, we will focus on relationships (Jigsaw PSHE). The children will learn about the importance of taking care of their mental health and strategies to support this as well as talk about the stages of grief and different types of loss.  They will also look at how people try to gain power and control and be able to judge whether something online is safe and helpful.

In Summer 2, the children will explore self-image and self-esteem while learning about physical and emotional changes during puberty. They will be able to reflect on identity, adolescent friendships, and the pressures linked to appearance and growing independence. They will have the opportunity to practise challenging negative self-talk and identifying trusted adults for support, alongside discussing attraction, consent, and respectful relationships.

RE

This term the children will be learning about Hinduism, focusing on how Hindhus worship. Children will explore different forms of worship, including rituals, prayer and the use of symbols. They will consider how commitment is shown in Hinduism and the meanings behind key actions and beliefs.

We will also be learning about the significance of symbols and practices in Hindu worship, and how these reflect deeper beliefs. Children will be encouraged to think about their own beliefs and values, making connections between their own lives and the practices they study.

To support your child at home please can you:

1. Talk with your child about what makes a good friend and how to build positive relationships.

2. Discuss ways to stay healthy and safe, including making good choices and asking for help when needed.

3. Ask your child about what they have learned about Hinduism and discuss similarities and differences with your own beliefs and experiences

# data[].attributes.body
In History this term, Year 5 will explore local history with a focus on migration to Slough in post-war Britain. The children will learn about the period following World War II and investigate why people moved to Britain, including the search for new opportunities, jobs, and the chance to help rebuild the country. They will discover how different communities came to settle in Slough and begin to understand the lasting impact migration has had on the local area.

As their learning develops, the children will explore personal stories and real-life experiences of migration. They will consider how and why people chose to make Slough their home, the challenges they faced, and the valuable contributions they made to the community.

For their final task, the children will draw on everything they have learned to plan and write a short piece explaining the different reasons people have migrated to Slough, developing both their historical understanding and their ability to communicate ideas clearly.

To support your child at home, please can you:

1. Talk about family history and, if appropriate, share any stories about moving home or country.

2. Explore local areas together and discuss how communities may have changed over time.

3. Encourage your child to ask questions and record their learning through drawings, writing, or simple research activities.

# data[].attributes.body
In Reading this term, Year 5 will embark on an exciting literary journey, beginning with an introduction to the works of William Shakespeare. For many children, this will be their first encounter with one of the most famous writers in the English language. As they explore some of his well-known plays, they will discover rich language, memorable characters and dramatic storytelling, while also learning why Shakespeare remains so important today. His writing has had a lasting impact on the English language, introducing new words and phrases still used today, and his stories explore timeless themes such as love, jealousy, power, and friendship that continue to feel relevant and relatable.

Later in the term, the children will be swept away into the action-packed and humorous world of Who Let the Gods Out? by Maz Evans. This fast-paced adventure follows a young boy whose ordinary life is turned upside down when he accidentally releases a powerful ancient daemon. What follows is a thrilling race against time, filled with danger, laughter, and unexpected twists, as he teams up with the mighty (and often mischievous) Olympian gods to try and save the world.

To deepen their understanding of the story, the children will also explore the fascinating world of Ancient Greek mythology, learning about the Olympian gods and how these ancient tales influence the novel 'Who Let The Gods Out'. This will enrich their reading experience and help them make meaningful connections between mythology and modern storytelling.

To support your child at home please can you :

1. Ensure your child is reading at home daily for at least 15 minutes and sign their Reading Record weekly.

2. Ask your child about their current class reader and any background knowledge they have learned.

3. Discuss books that you are reading with your child. Make predictions and ask lots of questions.

# data[].attributes.body
This term, the children will be solving problems with measure and time, before looking to solve problems with fractions. This will involve adding, subtracting and multiplying fractions as well as converting between mixed numbers and improper fractions.

Later in the term, the children will be looking at measuring shapes, properties of shapes and how to use this knowledge in real life scenarios. We will then build on our fractions knowledge by working out equivalent decimals and percentages for common fractions.

To support you child at home please can you:

1. Ensure your child completes their weekly Complete Maths homework independently. This will give us information about what children need support with, so we can give them the specific help they need. Homework will be set each Friday and is due by the following Friday.

2. Children should also continue to practice their times tables on TTRS to develop their fluency (accuracy and speed).

3. Point out shapes all around us. Wat 2D shapes are used to make our 3D world? Try to get children to explain what they can see and how shapes are connected.