St John's C of E Primary - Nurturing Excellence

Chaffinch Class

Welcome to Our Chaffinch Class Page!

English

In Spring 2, pupils will continue to develop their reading and writing skills, building on the narrative work they completed in Spring 1 based on our new class reader The boy who grew dragons by Andy Shepherd. They will use the skills and structures they practiced in narrative writing as a foundation for exploring other types of writing.

Pupils will now focus on:

First-person letters, where they will consider audience, purpose, tone, paragraphing, and accurate grammar and punctuation.
Simple non-fiction reports with explanation elements, linked to their history learning, using clear headings, structured paragraphs, and subject-specific vocabulary.

Grammar and punctuation will be revisited and consolidated throughout, ensuring pupils can apply these skills confidently in different writing contexts.

Maths
In Spring 2, pupils will develop confidence and fluency in mathematics, with a particular focus on fractions. Pupils will explore non-unit fractions and fractions with small denominators, using practical resources and visual models. They will also learn to add, subtract, and compare fractions, explaining their reasoning and solving problems in a range of contexts. Accurate mathematical vocabulary will be emphasized throughout the course.

Science

This half term we will explore how magnets create an invisible force called magnetism. We will learn that magnetism is a non-contact force, meaning magnets can attract or repel without touching. We will investigate which everyday materials are magnetic, discover that magnets have two poles (north and south), and learn that unlike poles attract and like poles repel. We will also test the strength of different magnets, make predictions and record our results like real scientists.

In Spring 2, pupils will explore the Christian concept of salvation. They will study Old Testament stories including Noah and Abraham, learning about covenants made with God. Pupils will also explore the baptism of Jesus, discussing its importance for Christians and learning about the belief in the Trinity. Through reflection and discussion, pupils will consider how Christian beliefs influence the lives of believers.

Geography
In Spring 2, pupils will explore the Southwest of England as part of their regional geography learning. They will locate the region and identify its counties: Gloucestershire, Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, and Devon. Pupils will study the physical geography of the region, learning that the Southwest is a peninsula with a long coastline. They will investigate coastal features such as the Jurassic Coast and Durdle Door and learn how erosion changes landscapes over time. They will also explore human geography, including tourism, farming, and the impact of the Gulf Stream on climate. Pupils will develop map-reading skills and learn how geographers describe places and explain connections between people and environments.

Music
In Spring 2, pupils will explore how composers use music to represent scenes and moods. They will study Storm and Dawn from Benjamin Britten’s opera Peter Grimes.

Pupils will learn how tempo, dynamics, motifs, and different orchestral families create an atmosphere. Using tuned and untuned percussion instruments, they will compose storm and sunrise motifs and combine them using a rondo structure. Pupils will develop skills in listening, composing, performing, following a conductor, and evaluating their work.

Art

In Spring 2, pupils will explore how artwork can tell us about the past by studying Anglo-Saxon art. They will examine metalwork from Sutton Hoo, illuminated letters from the Lindisfarne Gospels, and the Bayeux Tapestry. Pupils will develop skills in drawing, watercolour painting, and collage, creating symmetrical, interlocking, and interlaced designs. They will also produce a textile collage inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, learning how art can be used to tell a story.

History
In Spring 2, pupils will study a key period in British history from 410 CE to 1066 CE. They will begin by revisiting Roman Britain and exploring what happened after the Romans left. Pupils will learn about the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, the formation of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and everyday life during this period. They will also explore the Picts and Scots and examine historical sources such as Sutton Hoo, West Stow, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, and the work of Bede the Venerable. Later in the unit, pupils will study the Vikings, learning about raids, settlements, longships, and the Danelaw. They will explore the significance of King Alfred the Great, King Canute, and Edward the Confessor, before concluding with the Battle of Hastings in 1066.