Autumn 1
Welcome to Year 5’s Learning Overview for this Half Term!

Here is a glimpse into the exciting learning journey our Year 5 children will be embarking on this half term.

English

This half term, our reading and writing will be driven by the epic tales of Beowulf and The Hobbit. Drawing inspiration from iconic literary monsters like Gollum and Grendel, the children will craft rich, atmospheric descriptive pieces. They will also dive into persuasive writing, stepping into character to compose stirring speeches imploring brave warriors to defend the hall of Heorot. Alongside these stories, pupils will explore related poetry and non-fiction to broaden their comprehension and literary appreciation.

Maths

In Maths, we are laying strong foundations by securing our understanding of Place Value up to 1,000,000, including reading, writing, ordering, and rounding numbers. Children will build on this to master column Addition and Subtraction with multi-digit numbers, applying these skills to complex multi-step word problems. Later in the term, we will move on to Multiplication, focusing on multiples, factors, prime numbers, and multiplying large numbers efficiently using formal written methods.

Science: Properties of Materials

Our young scientists will be exploring the physical world around them by classifying materials based on their properties using precise scientific vocabulary. Through hands-on investigations, they will test the thermal insulation of various materials, predict and test methods for separating mixtures, and discover why certain chemical changes - such as burning or rusting - are completely irreversible.

• Vocabulary: Insulated, Conductive, Soluble, Insoluble, Mixture, Irreversible, Thermal.

History: Anglo-Saxon Crime & Punishment

Step back in time to the Anglo-Saxon era! Children will discover how early communities prevented crime and delivered justice without a modern police force. We will examine community-based systems like the 'hue and cry', explore the concept of 'Wergild' (blood money paid to victims' families), and evaluate how Anglo-Saxon punishments compare to justice systems today.

• Vocabulary: Wergild, Hue and Cry, Tithing, Punishment, Justice, Treason, Customary.

Geography: South America – Location & Characteristics

This term, we are embarking on a visual journey across South America. Children will hone their map-reading skills to locate the continent's diverse countries, major capitals, and unique environmental regions. They will investigate how South America's dramatic physical geography and varied climates directly shape the daily lives of its people, its thriving wildlife, and its bustling mega-cities.

• Vocabulary: Hemisphere, Topography, Equator, Climate Zone, Vegetation, Urban, Physical Feature.

Art: Cityscapes

In Art, children will develop their spatial drawing skills by capturing architectural cityscapes. Drawing inspiration from the incredible architectural memory artist Stephen Wiltshire, urban artist The Shoreditch Sketcher, and world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, pupils will experiment with perspective, line, texture, and structural design.

• Vocabulary: Perspective, Horizon, Cityscape, Architectural, Vanishing Point, Texture, Proportion.

Design & Technology: Food Technology (Bread Making)

Roll up your sleeves! In D&T, children will explore the principles of a healthy and varied diet as they learn how to bake their own bread. Beyond the kitchen, they will investigate seasonality and gain a clear understanding of how primary ingredients are grown, harvested, and processed before reaching our supermarket shelves.

• Vocabulary: Seasonality, Yeast, Kneading, Proofer, Processing, Agriculture, Grain.

Computing: Digital Literacy & Transfer of Information

Staying safe online is a vital life skill. This half term, pupils will explore how information travels across digital networks while focusing heavily on cybersecurity. They will learn the mechanics behind creating robust, unhackable passwords and understand best practices for protecting their personal digital identity.

• Vocabulary: Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Transfer, Network, Authentication, Digital Footprint, Privacy.

PSHE: Me & My Relationships

Our PSHE sessions will focus on helping children navigate personal relationships, emotional well-being, and communication. Pupils will practice being assertive—learning how to voice their opinions and boundaries clearly and respectfully—while building effective strategies for resolving conflict constructively in their everyday lives.

• Vocabulary: Assertiveness, Conflict, Compromise, Boundary, Empathy, Resolution, Peer Pressure.

Music: Recorders & Musical Notation

In Music, the classroom will be filled with sound as children master playing the recorder. They will focus on the C major scale, learning to translate written musical notation from the stave directly to their instruments while developing rhythm, pitch control, and ensemble performance skills.

• Vocabulary: Stave, Pitch, C Major, Treble Clef, Rhythm, Notation, Scale.

Spanish: Exploring Spain & Its Geography

This half term, Spanish lessons will take a geographical turn. Children will start by learning about Spain’s key geography, build sentences using the verb gustar to share opinions on places, and describe locations using rich adjectives. They will expand their conversational skills by explaining their choices using porque (because) and practising the essential verb ir (to go).

• Vocabulary: España, Ciudad, Geografía, Me gusta, Porque, Viajar, Hermoso.

Religious Education: Belonging in Islam

In RE, children will reflect on the concept of 'belonging' within the Islamic faith. They will examine how religious customs, community gatherings, and core beliefs foster a deep sense of identity among Muslims, while making meaningful personal connections to what it feels like to belong within their own families, schools, and communities.

• Vocabulary: Ummah, Community, Faith, Belonging, Identity, Worship, Values.