In their final year at South Bersted Church of England Primary School, we continue to develop pupils’ personal, emotional, spiritual and intellectual resilience, with a rich and cross-curricular approach. Year 6 provides pupils with the opportunity to take on a wider range of responsibilities: Mental-Health Ambassadors, Junior Governor, Chair of the School Council and Future Flyers, preparing pupils for the next step in their education.
Please view the Year 6 Meet and Greet presentation for this academic year. The presentation provides you with key information regarding your child’s curriculum for the academic year.
If you have any questions regarding the presentation, please email the school office so the questions can be collated and added to the Frequently asked Questions.
Autumn Term
During the first half of the Autumn Term, our Big Question is ‘How are the Americas’ biomes so diverse?’
Pupils will become immersed in the biomes of the Americas by finding out the different types of landscapes and natural environments they hold from barren deserts to lush rainforests and harsh ice plains. To support the topic, pupils will read the book ‘Holes’ by Louis Sachar and will watch clips from the film to facilitate their writing.
Autumn 2
After half-term, pupils begin their learning on World War 2 working towards answering their BIG question: How was Britain impacted by the Second World War?
During this half term, pupils will explore the causes and impact of the Second World War, recognising how the country prepared for the conflict and how the conflict has impacted the world today.
Pupils will take on the role of an evacuee, writing letters to their parents and creating their own Anderson or Morrison Shelter as part of their Design and Technology focus. In addition to this, pupils will deepen their understanding of continents and countries across the world and their involvement during the Second World War, including the Axis of Power.
Spring Term
The Spring Term begins with pupils deepening their understanding of the Second World War by studying the text ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’. Pupils learn about the impact of the Holocaust and the key events that led to the end of the Second World War. To conclude the topic, they will cook using WW2 recipes, considering what was possible due to the rationing of key ingredients.
Spring 2
Pupils then consider the question, ‘How did the Anglo-Saxons react to the Viking invasion?’
In this topic, pupils will study the changing dynamics of Britain after the Romans left to return to defend their homeland. They first study how and why the Anglo-Saxons came to Britain, as well as the origins and daily life of Vikings. They will continue to deepen their understanding of the changes Britain went through by learning key dates and details of Viking raids and later invasions. During the first half of the topic, they will read about how Beowulf travelled to Denmark to free the Danes from the rampage of the vile beast Grendel.
Summer Term
During the summer term, the children sit the Year 6 National Curriculum Tests (NCTs) in Reading, Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling and Maths.
They also conclude their topic about the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings by entering the world of Shakespeare by studying Macbeth. Pupils consider Macbeth’s motives and his desire to become King. They will respond to the key events of the narrative by holding a court case to decide who was responsible for the death of King Duncan.
To support pupils in their transition to Year 7, they will study the text ‘Boy at the Back of the Class’ by Onjali Q Rauf.
Pupils will reflect on their achievements and the achievements of their peers across their time at South Bersted and how they can use these as a springboard for future success.
Residential
In the last few weeks of their time with us, Year 6 go on a residential trip to Fairthorne Manor. During their time away, children will experience a range of different activities that have included kayaking, archery and climbing walls amongst others. The children work together and support each other in making the camping trip a truly memorable experience.
Production
To finish the year, the class put on an end of year production that they would have been practising for over the second half of the Summer Term. In 2024, the children performed ‘The Wizard of Oz.’
Reading Suggestions
Each year, we are asked for book recommendations for our Year 6 pupils. You can view a number of recommended reads for your child here: Best Books for Year 6: Recommended Reading Booklist (booksfortopics.com)
Online Safety
As your child prepares for their next steps in education, there will be a range of new technology that they well be introduced to. To support you in preparing your child on how to manage new technologies as they transition to secondary school, visit our online safety page on our website: Internet Safety – South Bersted Primary School