Welcome to Kestrels 6

Teacher: Mrs Booth

Teaching Assistant: Mrs Hameed and Mrs Townend

Welcome to Year 6!

We are so excited to welcome you into Year 6 – your final and most memorable year at primary school! This is a year full of exciting adventures, new challenges, and the chance to make lasting memories with your friends and teachers. As the oldest in school, you'll be setting a brilliant example for others and taking on new responsibilities with pride. We know that settling into Year 6 can feel like a big step, but we’re here to support you every step of the way. Let’s make this an unforgettable year!

Summer 1

Guided reading

During Summer 1, our Year 6 pupils will engage in guided reading using the powerful and thought-provoking novel A Monster Calls. The story follows Conor, a young boy struggling to cope with his mother’s serious illness, who is visited by a mysterious monster that begins to tell him stories—stories that challenge Conor to confront his deepest fears and emotions. This moving narrative explores themes of grief, truth and acceptance in a sensitive and accessible way.

As a guided reading text, the book will support pupils in developing key comprehension skills such as inference, prediction and summarising. Children will explore the author’s language choices, discuss the impact of the storytelling structure, and reflect on the emotional journey of the main character. Through structured discussions and targeted questioning, pupils will be encouraged to justify their ideas using evidence from the text, helping to deepen their understanding while fostering empathy and thoughtful responses to complex themes.

English

During Summer 1, our Year 6 pupils will focus on English through the inspiring novel Wonder. Using the story and the life of August Pullman as a central theme, children will develop a range of writing skills across different genres. Each week will introduce a new focus, including characterised speech, diary entries, action and dialogue, and descriptive writing, allowing pupils to explore the characters and events in depth. They will also learn to write a balanced argument and a formal letter, building their ability to express opinions clearly and thoughtfully. Throughout the unit, pupils will be encouraged to empathise with characters, reflect on important themes such as kindness and acceptance, and develop their confidence as creative and purposeful writers.

Georgraphy - Biomes

During Summer 1, our Year 6 pupils will explore the fascinating world of biomes in Geography. They will learn about the Earth’s main biomes, including deserts, rainforests, grasslands, tundra and forests, and investigate the unique climates that shape each environment. The children will also study the wide variety of plants and animals that live in these regions and how they have adapted to survive. As part of their learning, pupils will consider the impact of human activity on these biomes, exploring how they are being threatened and destroyed. Importantly, they will discuss and reflect on what actions can be taken to protect these vital ecosystems, encouraging them to think critically about their role in caring for the planet.

Science – Circulatory System

In Science this half-term, we will be learning about the circulatory system and how it keeps our bodies functioning effectively. Children will explore the role of the heart, blood and blood vessels, and understand how blood flows around the body. We will learn about the difference between oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, and how oxygen is transported to our organs and muscles to keep us healthy.

As part of our learning, pupils will investigate the structure of the heart in more detail and take part in a heart dissection to help deepen their understanding of how it works. Throughout the unit, we will develop scientific vocabulary, enquiry skills and a clear understanding of how this vital system supports the body.

Maths 

During Summer 1, our Year 6 pupils will develop their mathematical understanding through units on statistics and shape. In statistics, children will learn how to present and interpret data using line graphs and dual bar charts, before moving on to reading, interpreting and drawing pie charts, including working with percentages. They will also explore how to calculate and understand the mean, helping them to summarise sets of data effectively.

In the shape unit, pupils will build their knowledge of geometry by measuring and classifying angles and using this understanding to calculate missing angles. They will explore key concepts such as vertically opposite angles, angles within triangles (including special cases), quadrilaterals and more complex polygons. The unit will also introduce circles, allowing children to deepen their understanding of geometric properties. Throughout both units, pupils will be encouraged to explain their reasoning, apply their skills to problem-solving contexts and develop confidence in using mathematical language accurately.