Friday 12th September 2025
Dear Parent/Carer of Year 5 pupil,
RE: Y5 Curriculum Letter, Autumn 1 ‘Into Africa’
Welcome to Y5 at Kelvin Grove. The children have made a very positive start and we have some exciting events planned for this term. Our Learning Journey topic this term is titled: ‘Into Africa’ with a strong topic links in geography, whole class reading, science and music. Please see the Y5 mind map which outlines this term’s learning.
As part of the immersion in our new topic, we have booked a fantastic dance and storytelling workshop for next Thursday 18th September. Please see the separate letter sent previously. Each class will see a performance from Iroko Company and take part in 2 workshops either in the morning or afternoon (further details have been sent in a separate letter). In addition to this, across this academic year each Y5 class will learn Djembe drumming techniques and rhythms in lessons with a specialist drumming teaching.
Key information for this term:
P.E. Lessons
PE will be on alternate Wednesdays as part of PPA (17th September, 1st October and 15th October). Also, Year 5 will have PE every Monday.
Please ensure that your child comes to school wearing school PE kit in on PE days: grey or black bottoms, white t-shirt, red school jumper/cardigan and trainers/plimsolls. As the weather turns colder, tracksuit bottoms are advised. A reminder to all families – with exception of permitted religious items and stud earrings, jewellery and adornments are not allowed in school. In our school policy, stud earrings will need to be covered or removed on PE days. Also, we ask for long hair to be tied back.
Homework:
Reading: Reading with your child and discussing what has been read each day is essential to helping them make progress in all areas of the curriculum. The expectation is that your child reads for at least 15-20 minutes each evening and that they record this in their Reading Record Book. We ask that you support and monitor your child’s reading and check/sign it regularly.
Maths: Maths homework is set each week on Mathletics and activities will reflect the learning that has taken place in school over the previous fortnight. This is to be completed by the Friday of the following week.
Times Tables: Please practice all times tables and their related division facts frequently using TTRS online.
Spellings: A spelling rule will be introduced in class on Mondays, and throughout the week lessons and activities will be completed based on this rule. Over the course of the half term, we will send home a spelling homework to consolidate spelling patterns taught in school. When spelling homework is sent out it will have a clear due date for the work to be returned. Typically, this happens once or twice each half term.
Home Learning Project: Home Learning Projects start in Autumn 2, after half term. Each project will be linked to learning from the previous term to give children a chance to revisit and build upon prior learning.
Important Dates:
Parents’ evening will focus on how your child has transitioned into year 5 and how you can support them at home. Meetings will take place in the week beginning 20th October. Further details will follow from school nearer the time.
Other information:
Year 5 pupils can bring a healthy snack each day e.g. a piece of fruit, savoury crackers, rice cakes which can be eaten at morning break. Please ensure that your child does not bring in food that contains nuts as we are a nut-free school.
As we are now entering autumn and the weather is changeable, please ensure your child has a named coat and that all hats, scarves and gloves are named.
Thank you, and as always if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask or contact the school office.
Mrs Heron-Njie, Mrs Khan and Mrs Nandhra-Calow
Year 5 Team
Statutory Spelling list for Year 5:
Book list:
