St John's C of E Primary - Nurturing Excellence

Barn Owl Class

Welcome to Our Barn Owl Class Page!

Welcome back! We’re excited for another busy and inspiring half term in Year 6. Below is a summary of what your child will be learning across the curriculum. As always, we encourage you to chat with your child about their learning — it’s a great way to help them reflect and stay motivated!

English

This half term, our young writers will be exploring a range of genres.
We’ll begin with an explanation text all about the circulatory system, linking closely with our science topic. The children will learn how to explain complex ideas clearly, using precise vocabulary and logical structure.

Next, we’ll move on to writing both a formal letter and a blog entry, with a particular focus on using the passive voice — a key grammar skill that helps vary sentence style and tone.

We’ll finish the term with an exciting narrative unit inspired by The 1000 Year Old Boy. This beautifully written story will help the children develop empathy, character voice, and atmosphere in their own writing.

Maths

In Maths, we’ll be deepening our understanding of arithmetical operations and exploring how to use BIDMAS (the order of operations) to solve more complex calculations.

As the half term progresses, we’ll move into one of the most important areas of upper Key Stage 2 maths — fractions, decimals and percentages. These are essential building blocks for secondary school maths, and we’ll be working hard to make sure children understand how these concepts link together and apply to real-life situations.

History

Our History topic this half term is The Suffragettes — an inspiring and thought-provoking study of the women (and men) who fought for the right to vote.

Children will take part in debates, research tasks and source analysis to explore what democracy looked like in the 19th century and how it has changed over time. This topic encourages pupils to think critically about fairness, equality and the power of collective action — themes that still resonate today.

Geography

In Geography, we’ll be looking at British geographical issues — a topic that links perfectly with children’s growing understanding of sustainability and citizenship.

Through maps, graphs and data, pupils will investigate real-world issues such as flooding, waste management and recycling. They’ll learn how human choices and environmental factors shape the world we live in, and discuss what individuals and communities can do to make a positive difference.

Science

Our Science unit focuses on the classification of living things — the fascinating world of taxonomy. Children will learn how scientists sort and name different species based on shared characteristics, from mammals and birds to invertebrates and microorganisms.

This topic encourages careful observation, logical thinking and an appreciation for the incredible diversity of life on Earth. There will be plenty of opportunities for practical activities and independent research.

Art

In Art, we’ll be travelling back in time to study Renaissance Architecture and Sculpture. Pupils will discover the techniques and styles that defined this influential period and learn about artists and architects who changed the course of history.

Children will also have the chance to create their own artwork inspired by Renaissance design, experimenting with form, scale and detail — a wonderful opportunity to combine creativity with cultural learning.

We’re looking forward to an engaging and enriching half term filled with curiosity, creativity and challenge.

If you have any questions or would like to know how you can support your child’s learning at home, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Year 6 team.

Thank you for your continued support!