Welcome to Year 5!

Your teachers are: Mrs Allen/Mrs Gadbury (5A) and Mrs Cross (5C).

Mrs Gadbury will teach 5A on a Wednesday, Mrs Allen will teach the other days.

Mrs Allen - 5A.Homework@pussbank.cheshire.sch.uk

Miss Cross - 5C.Homework@pussbank.cheshire.sch.uk 

If you need to contact us, you can use the blue organiser, go via the office or send us an email.  We cannot be available for more than a quick verbal message on the playground in the mornings, as we need to be inside with the children as soon as possible, so if your query will need a longer conversation, please let us know and we will arrange a mutually convenient time to speak with you. 

We will endeavour to reply to any emails within 72 hours.

What will we be learning in the Spring Term?

English

The children will be writing their speech for the Aspire Speech Festival. The overarching theme is ‘Heroes.’ Grammar, spelling and handwriting will continue to be a focus for all. Lots of oral and physical rehearsal will support learners to improve their sentence writing skills. In reading, we will work on fluency, making sense of a text “in the moment” of reading, and build skills in responding to different types of comprehension questions. Reading for pleasure is part of our reading cycle.

Maths

This term, we learn how to use the short method for division and use this skill for solving problems. Knowledge of basic times tables facts is essential to the work we do, so children must continue to practise at home. Later we will move on to explore the concept of area, and link this to multiplication. We will also begin work on fractions before the term ends.
Alongside the main maths lesson, we will frequently practise arithmetic skills to build fluency with calculation. We also do a short “Mastery of Number” session, which helps children secure core concepts in maths and to develop their awareness of patterns and connections.

Science

There will be two units of work studied this term. In the first unit, the children will learn about Earth in Space. We will look at the work of key scientists to understand how their discoveries advanced our knowledge of the Solar System. Our second unit will be about Forces in Action.

Geography

We begin the year by learning about trade on a local, national and global scale. We will consider the impact of Fairtrade and sustainability around the world. We will be using world maps to locate countries in relation to the Fairtrade theme. You may wish to encourage your child to observe the Fairtrade logo on products when out shopping.

French

In French, the children will be developing their vocabulary, listening, reading and writing. We follow the Language Angels scheme, which is highly visual and interactive with lots of games and quizzes. We are learning to name and ask for items of food and drink, understanding that nouns in French have a gender (un/une). Later, the theme will turn to pets.

Music

Mr Harrop is our Love Music Trust tutor, this year. He will be leading Y5 music lessons to provide expert tuition. We will be developing our abilities in reading musical notation to play as an ensemble. The culmination of our learning will be to play along with the Halle orchestra.

PHSCE

This term we will focus on computer safety and feelings and emotions. We will recognise that everyone has emotions, look at how feelings can be communicated with or without words and strategies, which can be employed to manage and control our emotions.

RE

Children will learn through the RE curriculum that different people have a different world view. RE is a subject which gives great opportunities to discuss, question, empathise and reflect and we will be using out oracy skills throughout. We will consider the theme of forgiveness, related to a Christian world view. Then we will explore the interesting question of: What are the joys and challenges of living in Britain for Muslims?

Art

The children will do a unit of work on painting, linked to artists LS Lowry and Piet Mondrian. This will involve the concept of perspective. They will develop their appreciation of art, make observational drawings and consider dynamics such as line and tone when creating their own sketches and paintings.

D&T

The children will design and make a space-themed moving toy that uses a cam mechanism.

PE Days

5A - Wednesday

5C - Monday

On these days only, the children should come to school in their PE Kit - white t-shirt, navy shorts or bottoms and school sweatshirt or cardigan (the only logos should be the school logo.) Earrings must not be worn for PE lessons. If your child cannot remove their own earrings (to be placed into a secure bag or tuppaware), earrings must be removed before school, please.

Swimming

5C only will go swimming in the Spring Term. Sessions will be on Tuesday morning at Bollington Leisure Centre and the class will travel there and back by coach.

On the day children should come to school in their normal uniform and bring their swimming kit with them. The kit should consist of:

• A bag with their kit in, which is  big enough to hold their uniform and shoes when they change
• A towel
• Goggles if preferred and that they are able to use safely
• A swimming hat  (rubber or fabric)
• A snack for afterwards 

Earrings and other jewellery should not be worn and longer hair should be worn up or put in braids to make it easier to get into a swimming cap.

We would ask that the children don't come to school wearing their swim kit under their uniform , since this can cause issues with going to the toilet and sometimes can result in underwear that they will need to change into being forgotten. 

Microsoft Teams

Once term is underway, please ensure that your child  logs in to your class Teams page each week, as this will contain some other Y5 information, as well as weekly homework.  You can use the  Teams app , or use it online. Your teacher will let you know when it is time to do so.   If you cannot access Teams, let us know. 

 

Hometime Arrangements

Please can you write in your child's organiser if you wish for them to either meet you at the school gates or walk home from school or if there are changes with these arrangements.  Additionally, please make sure that your child knows what their arrangements are. 

 

Homework

Homework will continue to be set on a Friday to be completed by the following Wednesday.

We post homework on TEAMS. Login details are the same as last year.  If you have forgotten these, please inform your class teacher. 

Sometimes homework might be set on TTRockstars or Purple Mash. The children frequently use these apps in school and have their individual log in details. We would encourage the children to also spend a minimum of 5 minutes per day using TTRockstars to build confidence with multiplication recall.

We will also be setting weekly spellings to learn, the children can also make use of spelling games in Purple Mash and using the spooky spelling game on the link below if they wish to do so in the meantime:

http://www.ictgames.com/mobilePage/spookySpellings/index.html     

Reading Challenge

Here at Puss Bank School, we also love to promote reading for pleasure! So reading for homework every day is also encouraged. Find a cosy, comfy place to read, read, read! We know you will read your book banded books as well as books by your favourite authors but how will you extend your reading range this year? The challenge sheet below will give you some ideas.  Please keep your teacher informed about your reading journey by noting your thoughts and observations in your blue organiser as you read.  Your class Teams page may also have a reading channel where you can post your reflections and recommendations. 

Recommended Reads for Year 5

 

Year 5 Trips and Experiences

• Pantomime - 7th January 2026
• Jodrell Bank - 29th January 2026
• Bridgewater Hall - Summer Term (date tbc)

All trips and events can be found on the Arbor app where you can consent and make payments. Letters will be sent out nearer the time with further information.