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!

Spring 1

English

This half-term in English, we will be studying the novel Seven Ghosts by Chris Priestley, a chilling story in which a sinister storyteller shares seven unsettling ghost tales with a young listener, each revealing darker secrets and building a growing sense of unease. As we read and rehearse the text, pupils will explore what happens in the book and how the stories are linked through atmosphere, theme and suspense rather than graphic detail. Building on this, children will plan and write their own original chapter entitled The Eighth Ghost, using Priestley’s style as inspiration. Lessons will focus on understanding the horror genre, including its purpose, audience, language choices and structure, with particular attention given to how writers create tension and keep readers engaged. Through discussion, drama and writing activities, pupils will develop confidence, creativity and a deeper understanding of effective storytelling.

Guided Reading

In guided reading this half term, the children will be reading the story Fight Back, a powerful and engaging text that explores how a young character responds to a challenging situation and learns the importance of resilience, courage and standing up for themselves. Through close reading, pupils will discuss the events of the story, the characters’ thoughts and feelings, and the choices they make. Guided reading sessions will focus on developing key comprehension skills such as inference, vocabulary understanding and summarising, while also encouraging thoughtful discussion about the themes and messages within the text.

History - Baghdad

In History this half term, pupils will be studying the ancient civilisation of Baghdad and exploring how it became one of the most powerful and influential cities in the world. They will learn about the discoveries and inventions that emerged during this time, including advances in science, medicine, maths and engineering. Lessons will also focus on the House of Wisdom and its importance as a centre of learning, as well as the work of some famous scholars who shaped knowledge still used today. Finally, pupils will examine the events that led to the fall of Baghdad and reflect on the lasting impact of this remarkable civilisation.

Science – light

In Science this half-term, pupils will be learning about light and how it helps us to see the world around us. They will explore how light travels in straight lines and investigate how shadows are formed and change depending on the position of the light source. Pupils will also learn about refraction and how light bends when it passes through different materials. Through practical investigations and hands-on experiments, children will explore the properties of light and develop their scientific enquiry skills.

Maths 
In Mathematics this half-term, Year 6 pupils will begin by developing their understanding of converting measures, including length, mass and capacity. They will then move on to exploring ratios, learning how to compare quantities and solve problems using proportional reasoning. Finally, pupils will be introduced to algebra, where they will use simple expressions, equations and sequences to solve problems. Throughout the unit, lessons will focus on building confidence, accuracy and problem-solving skills in preparation for more advanced mathematical learning.