Welcome to Year 6!

Meet the Staff:

Class Teacher: Emma Witham

Teaching Assistant: Chris Purchase

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Click here to read the Class Newsletter - TERM 1

 Year 6 – Term 2 | Secrets of a Sun King

Dear Parents and Carers,

This term, Year 6 embark on an exhilarating journey into the mysteries of Ancient Egypt through our core text, Secrets of a Sun King by Emma Carroll. This rich, layered narrative intertwines history, adventure, and moral courage — offering an inspiring context for writing, reasoning, and exploration across the curriculum.

Pupils will engage as historians, scientists, and writers — questioning evidence, crafting vivid narratives, and building the analytical skills that prepare them for both SATs and life beyond primary school.

English

Secrets of a Sun King provides a fascinating backdrop for extended writing. Through the novel, pupils will:

• Write diary entries, letters, and newspaper articles linked to archaeological discovery

• Explore formal tone and persuasive writing through speeches and balanced arguments

• Use flashback structure to create narrative tension and atmosphere

• Develop figurative language, cohesion, and vocabulary sophistication

Grammar lessons will consolidate active and passive voice, colons and semi-colons for clarity, and sentence variation for impact.

Independent reading continues to play a vital role in deepening comprehension and inference — pupils will be encouraged to apply these strategies in both fiction and non-fiction texts.

Maths

With a strong emphasis on reasoning and fluency, our mathematical focus areas this term include:

• Fractions, Decimals & Percentages: comparing, converting, and solving complex problems

• Ratio & Proportion: linking scale factors to real-world contexts (maps and models)

• Measurement & Conversion: perimeter, area, volume, and metric conversions

• Problem Solving: multi-step challenges requiring explanation and proof

Pupils will continue weekly arithmetic tests and small-group booster sessions targeting precision, pace, and mastery.

Science

This term’s Science units — Light and Electricity — allow pupils to think like engineers and physicists. They will:

• Investigate how light travels and how shadows form

• Explore reflection, refraction, and how the eye perceives light

• Build and test electrical circuits, identifying components and troubleshooting faults

• Record results systematically and draw scientific conclusions using data tables and graphs

The unit also connects directly to DT and Computing, where pupils design and power model vehicles using circuits.

Topic & Wider Curriculum

The overarching theme is Ancient Egypt: Power, Belief, and Legacy.
Through History and Geography, pupils will:

• Investigate the importance of the River Nile to trade, agriculture, and civilisation

• Learn about pharaohs, pyramids, and religious symbolism

• Compare ancient societies and discuss how archaeology shapes our understanding of the past

In addition:

• Art & DT: designing and creating canopic jars, hieroglyphic inscriptions, and 3D Egyptian art

• RE: exploring the concept of life’s journey and moral beliefs across faiths

• Computing: creating digital maps and VR tours of ancient sites

• Music: composing film-style music to accompany Egyptian-themed animations

• MFL (Spanish): learning to describe the weather and use expressions of frequency (“Siempre, a veces, nunca”)

Enrichment

Pupils will take part in an Ancient Egypt Day, bringing history to life through costume, archaeological discovery, and creative workshops. Later this term, they’ll begin preparing their own short film projects inspired by the novel — blending writing, digital editing, and performance skills.

Supporting Your Child at Home

• Encourage daily independent reading and discuss themes, vocabulary, and author choices.

• Support revision of all four operations through regular practice and IXL tasks.

• Discuss sustainable choices at home, such as recycling and reducing energy use.

Important Reminders

• PE takes place on Fridays – pupils should come in full PE kit.

• Reading diaries should be signed and brought to school every day.

We are looking forward to an exciting and successful start to Year 6.

Warm wishes,
The Year 6 Team

How You Can Support at Home

Here are some ways to help your child feel confident and prepared:

• Daily Reading – 20 minutes with their Accelerated Reader book
• Spelling Practice – Weekly word lists are sent home
• 30. minutes daily of IXL Practice – Aim for a short daily session to consolidate Maths and English
• Encouragement & Balance – Support them with positive routines, rest, and time to unwind

Other Information

• PE is every Friday – Please ensure your child arrives in a suitable PE kit
  
  
• Children should continue bringing in their reading books daily
  
  
• Encourage good routines around homework, rest and revision as SATs approach

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We look forward to a successful and rewarding term. Thank you for all the support you provide at home – it truly makes a difference.

The Year 6 Team