Year 6

Welcome to Year 6!

Year 6 is a very exciting time for our pupils, as it marks their final year at primary school. We provide many opportunities for inspirational learning alongside preparing children for the next stage of their school life.

Children embark on a stimulating learning journey, exploring texts such as Letters from the Lighthouse, Darwin’s Dragons, and Macbeth. These texts link closely to our themes of World War II, evolution, and crime and punishment within the Anglo-Saxon period. Children also explore poetry through The Highwayman and engage with eye-catching non-fiction texts when studying Animals Including Humans. Together, these topics enable children to write for a wide range of purposes and audiences.

Alongside themed days linked to World War II and the Mayans, and activities that enhance Geography and map-work skills, children enjoy a city trip to Bristol. This trip allows them to explore museums, experience new foods, and enjoy activities such as laser quest (which the adults enjoy too!). The visit supports children in developing their independence while making meaningful links back to their learning in school.

While Year 6 includes end-of-Key Stage assessments (SATs), there are also many new responsibilities and leadership opportunities available. Children can apply to become Prefects, House Captains, or Senior Prefects. Exclusive Year 6 experiences such as the Year 6 production, Treat Day, Celebration Day (including the colour run), Echelford’s Enterprise Event, and the Leavers’ Assembly provide memorable ways to celebrate their time at Echelford.

Throughout Years 1–6, learning is focused on mastering the end-of-year objectives set out in the 2014 National Curriculum. In Years 1 and 2, children follow the Key Stage 1 programmes of study, and in Years 3, 4, 5, and 6 they follow the Key Stage 2 programmes. The National Curriculum for both key stages consists of the core subjects: Mathematics, English, Science, and Computing; and the foundation subjects: History, Geography, Design and Technology, Art and Design, Music, P.E., and RaWV (Religion and World Views).

We have ensured that the knowledge and skills pupils learn in Year 6 build on prior knowledge and prepare them for their next stage of learning. All learning can be found on the Curriculum Web (updated each half term) and in the Curriculum Overview for the entire academic year. Our Knowledge Organisers show the key knowledge children will be learning across our curriculum themes.