Year 5 2026 - 2027

Our Topics in Year 5

Autumn - The Victorians

Our Autumn topic is The Victorians. We explore what life was like in Victorian Britain and discover how people lived, worked and learned during this period. We investigate the differences between rich and poor families, Victorian schooling and the impact of the Industrial Revolution. We also learn about local history by studying Doncaster in Victorian times and consider how life has changed since then. Through our learning, we use historical sources and artefacts to help us understand the past.

Spring - Early Islamic Civilisations

Our Spring topic is Early Islamic Civilisations. We learn about the achievements and influence of the Islamic world, focusing on the city of Baghdad during its Golden Age. We explore important discoveries in science, medicine, mathematics and astronomy and examine how these innovations continue to influence our lives today. We develop our geographical skills by locating key places on maps and investigating the features of the region. We also learn about Islamic beliefs and culture and compare aspects of life in the past with modern society.

Summer - Windrush

Our Summer topic is Windrush. We explore the story of the Empire Windrush and learn about the experiences of Caribbean people who came to Britain after the Second World War. We investigate the challenges and opportunities they faced and consider the valuable contributions they made to British society. Through historical enquiry, we examine personal stories and historical sources to understand the significance of the Windrush generation and its lasting impact on modern Britain.

Our Learning in Year 5

In Year 5, our learning is brought to life through exciting books, investigations, creative projects and practical experiences, including workshops and trips. Alongside our topic work, we develop our skills across science, art, computing, music, PE and Spanish. We are encouraged to think critically, ask questions and make connections between different areas of learning as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities of upper Key Stage 2.

Bee Class and Pine Marten Class have worked incredibly hard this half term and earned 35 minutes of Golden Time through their fantastic behaviour and positive choices. To celebrate, the children enjoyed a Halloween movie, colouring, games, jigsaws and time on the laptops. Well done to everyone for their hard work, positive attitudes and excellent behaviour throughout the half term. 

Playground Leaders recently took part in training led by Mr Johnson, where they learnt a variety of games and activities to help make the best use of the playground equipment. They are now using these skills to support and engage children across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 during breaktimes, helping to ensure playtimes are active, inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.

Today, Pine Marten Class became programmers as they tackled the ‘Alien Maze’ challenge in Espresso Coding! They continued to learn about selection and used conditional if/then logic to programme an alien. It took a lot of problem solving and resilience to get the paths just right! 

We are enjoying using manipulatives in maths to help us visualise and understand large numbers. By using practical resources, we can explore place value and develop a deeper understanding of the value of digits within larger numbers.