Year 6
“Shaping Futures with Determination and Kindness.”
Welcome to Year 6
Teacher: Mr. Williams
TA: Mrs. Mitchell
English
We will continue to focus on all of our" National Curriculum Objectives and Age-Related Expectations." We will be looking at some grammar expectations within year 6 and then applying them to a first-person narrative and a non-fiction text about our history topic.
Maths
We will follow the White Rose Small Steps and continue our journey from year 5 into year 6 by revising and then building upon knowledge of place value and then into addition and subtraction. We will also be starting more arithmetic sessions to build up a secure understanding of the procedural approach to tackle these types of questions.
Reading
We will be reading a range of texts within the reading lessons as well as promoting reading for pleasure throughout the week. Our class novel is Letter from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll, which is a book based during WWII and it has links to Plymouth and Devon. Within our lessons, we will be looking at a range of interesting texts linked to our WWII topic and answer a range of questions based upon them. Additionally, we will be undertaking more SATs-style questions in preparation for our assessments in the future.
Science
We will be looking at electricity and how circuits are made or broken. We will then look at adaptations in animals and plants.
History
We will be understanding the cause and effect of WWII and how it impacted us, in England, and those within Europe and further afield. We will look at why it started, who was involved, the persecution of certain peoples, the machines which won the war and how it ended. We will also link our history learning throughout our curriculum; from dance to English.
Please see our Topic Webs for information on all of our curriculum areas.
Our PE is Tuesday (inside) and Wednesday (outside).
We look forward to working with all the children in Y6 and their families in this final year of primary school.
What is Shallowford Farm?
- It’s a working hill farm set in Dartmoor National Park.
- It’s run as a charity, focused on giving young people experiences with nature, farming, and conservation.
- It’s been hosting school residentials and day visits for over 40 years.
What will you do there?
You’ll join in lots of hands-on, outdoor activities. Some examples:
- Help look after farm animals: sheep, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, ponies, etc.
- Feed the animals, clean out their pens (mucking out), and bed them down.
- Move livestock, weigh them, do farm tasks.
- Conservation work: exploring marshes, pond dipping, helping with habitats for wildlife, worm charming, etc.
- Outdoor learning linked to the school curriculum (science, nature, environment).
Where you’ll stay & live
- You’ll stay in a farmhouse (East Shallowford) — small-group setting, cosy, with a homely feel.
- There are barns and all-weather spaces so that you can do activities even if the weather is wet.
- You’ll share food, eat together, help clear up, and follow the usual “farm rules” like being respectful, tidying up, turning lights off, etc.
What they want for you to get out of it
- To learn by doing — by touching, seeing, hearing, doing — not just listening.
- To grow in confidence: doing new things, perhaps things that are a bit scary, but fun.
- To understand the environment better, to care for animals, to see how farming and conservation can work together.
- To build skills like teamwork, responsibility, empathy (caring for others and the farm), and respect.
Things to bring / what to expect
While the full “What to Bring” list is on their site, here are some you should think about:
- Clothes for outdoors (warm layers, waterproofs) — there’ll be mud and all-weather stuff.
- Good boots or shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.
- Maybe a torch, water bottle, etc.
- Be ready to help: with cleaning, eating, tidying, etc.
Autumn Topic Web
Shallowford Oct 2025
Monday 20th October 2025
Tuesday 21st October 2025
Wednesday 22nd October 2025
Thursday 23rd October 2025
A Week at Shallowford Farm
(A thank-you poem from Victoria Road)
We came to Shallowford, full of cheer,
Our boots were shiny, our path was clear.
We thought we’d meet some calm, neat sheep,
But met some pigs who love to squeak!
The moor was wild, the rain came fast,
Our energy faded — but joy held fast!
We felt so tired, sometimes quite cold,
But learnt that courage makes us bold.
At times frustration took the lead,
When sheep ignored the path they’d need.
But talking, listening, side by side,
We found our strength and farmer pride.
Through wind and hail we carried on,
Our soggy socks, our smiles still strong!
We learned to care, to share, to try,
And keep our spirits lifted high.
With Shallowford’s pillars guiding through,
We learned what teamwork really can do.
To care for the land, the beasts, the friend,
A kindness strong that will not end.
We pressed sweet apples till hands were sore,
Made golden juice — then asked for more!
We built warm fires that softly glowed,
We mucked out pigs and watched things grow.
We climbed the Tor through wind and storm,
And found resilience in every form.
Then on our last night, tired but bright,
We gathered close by firelight.
With David’s guitar, we sang our song,
Of all the memories we’d built so strong.
So thank you all — your hearts so warm,
For teaching us life on Shallowford Farm.
We’ll take your lessons, kind and true,
And carry the Shallowford spirit too.
Y6 End of Year Expectations Leaflet
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Grammar Revision Learn all the key grammar required for Y6
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Bitesize SATs Revision Practise for your SATs with these activities in English, Maths and Science.
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SATS Revision Books Link Links to the GCP revision books.
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Y6 Reading SATs Support. A link to the Rising Stars reading pages
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If there is anything extra we can do for your children, please let us know. We are more than happy to provide you with resources to enable your chidlren to be the best that they can be.