English

Our key text was Survivors – a compelling collection of true stories about people who overcame extraordinary challenges. The children analysed the language and structure of these narratives, drawing inspiration to write their own pieces. They produced emotive poetry that captured resilience, informative leaflets that explained survival strategies, and detailed reports that mirrored journalistic styles. During Reading Hour, we explored Rivers and Oceans, linking literature to our geography studies. Grammar lessons focused on phrases, determiners, and the differences between formal and informal language, helping the children refine their writing for different audiences.

Maths

We tackled fractions, decimals, percentages, and algebraic sequences with increasing confidence. The children compared, added, and subtracted fractions, calculated percentages of amounts in real-world contexts such as shopping discounts, and identified rules in number sequences. They practised algebra by finding missing numbers and describing patterns. Arithmetic sessions strengthened our skills in addition, subtraction, and multiplication, while times table practice focused on 9x to 12x, applying them in problem-solving tasks. The children also explored how these skills connect to everyday life, such as budgeting and measuring.

Geography

We investigated the question: How does the Geography of the River Calder and the Leeds to Liverpool Canal change as they flow through Burnley? The children identified river features such as meanders, tributaries, and floodplains. They compared local rivers to famous rivers around the world, learning about their importance for trade, ecosystems, and communities. Fieldwork and map studies helped the children understand how human activity interacts with natural waterways, deepening their appreciation of geography in their own region.

Science

Our scientific enquiry asked: Why do some circuits work better than others? The children built circuits using scientific symbols and experimented with series and parallel circuits. They carried out investigations to measure brightness, resistance, and efficiency, then evaluated their results to make predictions about similar experiments. This hands-on approach encouraged problem-solving and critical thinking, while linking science to practical applications in everyday technology.

Spanish:

The children expanded their Spanish vocabulary by learning to describe sports and sporting titles. They practised speaking and writing sentences about Olympians, using correct grammar and pronunciation.

DT:

In Design Technology, the children designed and built a steady hand game using electrical circuits. They sketched prototypes, selected materials, and assembled their designs with precision. The project combined creativity with engineering, as The children constructed housings and backboards to support their circuits. They tested their games, identified improvements, and celebrated their achievements with a showcase of finished products.

Computing

The children stepped into the digital future by creating virtual reality environments. They learned to add, move, and resize objects, then animated them to enhance realism. Projects included designing interactive spaces such as virtual environments, playgrounds, and fantasy worlds. This work encouraged problem-solving, creativity, and technical skills, while sparking excitement about emerging technologies.

R.E.

This half term our R.E. questions have been – Is there one journey or many? What do Hindus believe about the cycle of life, death and rebirth?

The children have explored the Hindu beliefs about reincarnation and considered how these beliefs might impact on a Hindu’s view about the purpose of human existence. They have developed an understanding of the belief that dharma can change during the course of life and that the religious duties of a child are seen as different to those of an adult with family responsibilities or an elderly person. They explored how performing dharma would have an impact on a person’s karma – and how this then links with Hindu beliefs about the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

P.E.

This half term for P.E. The BFG’s have had the wonderful Coach Simon in for further rugby coaching – the children have thoroughly enjoyed his teaching and made great progress.

They played touch rugby in small groups, implementing the skills and tactics taught by Simon and got very competitive!

They have also been learning some basics in tennis, gripping the racket, small bounces and control of the tennis ball, forearm/backhand then beginnings or a rally with a partner.

Music 

This half term the children have been hard at work learning the lyrics to the chosen Christmas Carols for our KS2 Carol Service and sang beautifully to their audience of parents and carers at St. Catherines Church.

The children have looked at the phrasing within the carols and noted when to take a breath. We warmed up our voices and faces before remembering our good singing posture.

The children then sang at our whole school Christingle Service St. Catherine’s Church.

Mr. John Garrett, a professional music teacher, has taught half the class weekly keyboards lessons. In these sessions we have learnt played tunes from the Beginners Keyboards Course in the Charanga Website. Then began some composition work.