“Shaping Futures with Determination and Kindness.”

 

Teacher: Mr. Williams              TA: Mrs. Mitchell

Welcome to Year 6

Welcome to Year 6! We are delighted to welcome the children back for what promises to be an exciting, challenging and memorable year. This term, our learning will be driven by the fascinating topic of World War II, allowing us to explore history through stories, investigations, music and much more. Year 6 is an important year as children continue to develop their independence, resilience and confidence in preparation for secondary school. We encourage every child to embrace new challenges, work hard, ask questions and take pride in their achievements. We are looking forward to sharing a fantastic term of learning, discovery and success with you all.

As always, we appreciate your support at home. Sharing books, practising key skills and talking about what your child has been learning can have a hugely positive impact on their confidence, enjoyment and success in school.

English

In English, our learning will be linked closely to our World War II theme. We will be writing flashback narratives, using historical events and personal experiences from the war to inspire our stories. We will also be developing our non-fiction writing skills by creating informative texts about World War II, focusing on clear organisation, factual accuracy and engaging presentation.

Maths

This term, we will be building our understanding of place value, working with numbers up to 10 million. We will explore the value of digits, compare and order numbers, and develop our reasoning skills. We will then move on to the four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, applying these skills to a variety of problem-solving and reasoning challenges.

Reading

Our class novel this term is Letters from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll, a gripping story set during World War II. Alongside this, we will be reading extracts and answering comprehension questions based on Goodnight Mister Tom. As part of our preparation for the end of Key Stage 2 assessments, we will also begin developing SATs-style reading skills, focusing on retrieval, inference, vocabulary and explanation questions.

Science

In Science, we will be studying two exciting topics. In Biology, we will investigate life cycles and human development, exploring how living things grow and change over time. We will also learn about Light, examining how light travels, how shadows are formed and how our eyes enable us to see.

Religious Education (RE)

In RE, we will explore the question, "Why is the resurrection significant to Christians?", considering different interpretations and perspectives. We will also investigate, "Are religion and science in conflict?", examining a range of viewpoints and developing our understanding of how people explain and make sense of the world.

History

World War II will be our main driver topic this term. We will explore the causes of the war, significant events and the impact it had on Britain and the wider world. Through historical sources and enquiry-based learning, children will develop their understanding of this important period in history and how it shaped life today.

Physical Education (PE)

In PE, we will focus on Health-Related Fitness, learning about the importance of exercise, healthy lifestyles and personal fitness. We will also be studying and performing The Haka, developing our coordination, rhythm and confidence through dance. Our PE is Tuesday (inside) and Wednesday (outside).

Music

Our music learning will link directly to our World War II theme. We will be exploring The White Cliffs of Dover, learning about its historical significance and using it as inspiration for our musical appreciation, performance and composition activities.

 

We are looking forward to a fantastic term filled with learning, challenge and opportunity. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make Year 6 a successful, rewarding and memorable experience for every child.

Shallowford Farm 2026

Day 1

We started our day with the countryside rules with David. We learnt what to do and what not to do when on the moors. 

We then got kitted out in our PPE and ventured onto the farm. We took part in a treasure hunt where we explored the majority of the farm space. 

 

From there, we split into two teams. Team 1 cleaned and fed the pigs their evening meals. Team 2 spent time in the vegetable patch, de-weeding and watering the fruit and vegetables.

We then had a very hearty meal in the dining room where Fiona explained where our food came from and the importance of trying something new. Finally, we set off on our 'midnight walk' where we walked to a nearby torr and experienced darkness and the tranquillity of the moor and nighttime. We star gazed then headed back to the farm for bed. 

Day 2

What an incredible second day we've had here on residential!

The day started bright and early as the children helped to tend to the farm animals, feeding and caring for the pigs and sheep before breakfast. After working up an appetite, everyone enjoyed a hearty breakfast of porridge and delicious homemade pancakes to set them up for the busy day ahead.

Our morning was filled with team-building activities that challenged the children to work together, communicate effectively and solve problems as a group. We then split into two teams to tackle some exciting farm-based challenges. One group took part in the pig-weighing challenge, while the other worked together to help the farmer "fix" a tyre whilst travelling on giant skis. Both activities required fantastic teamwork, determination and plenty of laughter!

Lunch was a real treat, with homemade soup and pasties enjoyed by all before we headed into the woods for an afternoon of outdoor learning. The children were taught about conservation and how we can protect our environment. They also learnt how to safely light a fire using flint and steel, demonstrating great patience and perseverance. The highlight for many was roasting chestnuts over the fire, which proved to be a big hit!

Back at the farm, there was still plenty to do. The children helped to clear out and feed the chickens and pigs before sitting down to what many described as the best dinner yet: homemade sausage and mash!

To round off a fantastic day, the children took part in a creative arts session in the barn, producing some wonderful work and enjoying the chance to relax together after a busy day of activities.

After all of today's adventures, showers and bedtime were definitely needed! We are so proud of how the children are embracing every opportunity, supporting one another and throwing themselves into every challenge with enthusiasm and positivity.

What a great day! Bring on tomorrow!

 

Day 3

After a good night's sleep, the children were up bright and early at 7:00am and ready for another exciting day on the farm. The morning began with the daily jobs of tending to the pigs and feeding the chickens. There were plenty of smiles as many of the children enjoyed some special chicken cuddles, which quickly became a highlight of the morning!

Breakfast was another opportunity for the children to try something new, with many showing great enthusiasm and independence by sampling foods they hadn't tried before. Bacon and hash browns proved to be particularly popular and disappeared quickly!

With full stomachs and plenty of energy, we worked together as a team to prepare for our next adventure. Equipped with hats, gloves, waterproofs and wellies, we headed off into the woods ready to embrace whatever the day had in store. The woodland setting provided the perfect backdrop for another morning of fun, teamwork and adventure. Year 6 put their problem-solving skills to the test by building dens in the woods. Working together, they gathered branches, leaves and other natural materials to create shelters sturdy enough to protect them from the elements. After all their hard work, everyone enjoyed gathering around the fire to roast marshmallows, sharing stories and laughter whilst enjoying a well-earned sweet treat. It was a wonderful opportunity to develop outdoor skills, build friendships and create memories that will last long after the residential has finished.

Year 6 have clearly embraced farm life during their time here! We've noticed a rather unusual way of settling disagreements and deciding winners of games. Rather than debating about who won, the children have adopted the traditional (and highly unofficial) farmyard method of "Moo-Offs". Competitors take up their best cow stance, face each other, and let out their loudest "MOOOOOO!" The first person to laugh loses!

The competition has become fiercely contested, with some excellent cow impressions on display throughout the day. However, there is currently one undisputed champion. Hats off to Mortaza, who remains unbeaten and holds the title of Residential Moo-Off Champion! We can't promise this conflict resolution strategy will make its way back into school, but it has certainly kept everyone entertained and laughing together!

In the afternoon we headed to the orchard for a very special experience. The children had the opportunity to make their own apple and grape juice, learning about the journey from fruit to fresh juice. There were plenty of smiles as everyone got involved and saw their hard work turn into something delicious.

Afterwards, we gathered in the cosy 'Snug', where the children had the chance to sample the juices they had made whilst enjoying some live music. It was a lovely opportunity to relax, reflect on the day and soak up the unique atmosphere of the farm.

Of course, farm life never stops, so it was then time to get back to work! The children helped with cleaning out and feeding the animals, continuing to show great responsibility and enthusiasm in caring for their four-legged and feathered friends. 

The day was rounded off with a delicious roast chicken dinner before everyone settled down for an evening of live storytelling. The stories captured everyone's imagination and were the perfect way to finish another action-packed day.

Year 6 are now rehearsing for the Talent Contest, we will update you tomorrow... 

 They continue to be a credit to the school, embracing every opportunity with enthusiasm, kindness and a real sense of adventure. Bring on tomorrow!

 

Day 4

What an incredible final full day we've had on residential!

As always, the morning began with the important job of tending to the animals before everyone sat down to enjoy a big breakfast. The menu included fresh eggs from the farm along with the delicious apple and grape juice that the children had made themselves earlier in the week. It was wonderful to see the children enjoying produce they had helped to create and care for.

The morning's main challenge was learning how to become shepherds! Before taking on the sheep, the children practised their herding skills by attempting to herd the teachers... a task that proved far more challenging than expected! Thankfully, after some practice, the children put their new skills to the test and successfully worked together to herd 200 sheep into the correct field. A fantastic achievement that required excellent communication, cooperation and teamwork. Go team!

After all that hard work, lunch was a welcome sight. The children enjoyed a hearty helping of macaroni cheese followed by cake and custard, ensuring everyone was fuelled up for the afternoon ahead.

The afternoon brought our much-anticipated moorland adventure. The children embraced every minute of it! Rain, mud and puddles simply added to the fun, with laughter echoing across the moors as the children splashed their way through the adventure. Their resilience, positivity and sense of fun were on full display, and it was wonderful to see them making the most of every moment.

As we approach our final evening, excitement is building. Tonight we'll gather around the fire, play games and enjoy one last evening together before heading home. We'll also be celebrating the children with a special prize-giving, recognising those who have particularly stood out for their leadership, teamwork, kindness and resilience throughout the week.

The children and staff have had an absolutely incredible time. Together we've cared for animals, explored woodlands and moorland, learned new skills, challenged ourselves, laughed endlessly and created memories that will stay with us for years to come.

When the children have had a chance to recover, we're sure they'll have plenty of stories to share with you. You should be incredibly proud of every single one of them. They have represented the school brilliantly, embraced every opportunity and shown just how capable, kind and resilient they are.

Finally, a huge thank you must go to Mrs Brinkhurst, Mr Hopwood and Mrs Crisp for their unwavering support throughout the week. Their commitment, enthusiasm and willingness to go above and beyond have helped create so many special memories for the children. Residential experiences like this simply could not happen without the dedication of staff who give their time and energy to making these opportunities possible. Thank you for everything you have done to make this such a memorable and successful week for our Year 6 children.

Mr Wilson

Y6 End of Year Expectations Leaflet

• spelling list highlighted.doc

• Grammar Revision Learn all the key grammar required for Y6

• Bitesize SATs Revision Practise for your SATs with these activities in English, Maths and Science.

• SATS Revision Books Link Links to the GCP revision books.

• Y6 Reading SATs Support. A link to the Rising Stars reading pages

• 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 children to be the best that they can be.