Homework in Class Comet is designed to be manageable, meaningful and to make a real difference to children’s learning. Educational research shows that practising reading, spelling and times tables little and often at home has a significant impact on children’s attainment and progress. Just 10–15 minutes a day makes a big difference! While we don’t want homework to feel like a burden, the tasks we set are vitally important in helping pupils build confidence and fluency.

• Spellings are set every Tuesday and tested the following Monday. These are drawn from the National Curriculum word lists for Years 4, 5 and 6, or from pupils’ current phonics phase.

• Reading is an ongoing expectation. We ask that children read at home every day, recording this in their reading records, which are checked weekly.

• Times tables activities are set weekly, and children should also continue to use Times Tables Rock Stars at home to develop speed and fluency.

• Year 6 pupils are given one additional piece of English and maths homework each week, linked to their current learning, to help prepare them for the home learning routines of secondary school.

By supporting children with these regular short tasks, families help reinforce the learning we do in school and ensure every child keeps moving forward with confidence.

Reading with your child advice booklet (Year 4)

Reading with your child advice booklet (Year 5)

Reading with your child advice booklet (Year 6)

Numeracy at home toolkit

This Year's Topics (Cycle 1)

Chocolate Curriculum Coverage:

Mathematics

Year 4
This term, Year 4 pupils will continue developing fluency with Multiplication and Division, using formal written methods and applying their skills to problem-solving and real-life contexts. They will then move on to Length and Perimeter, learning how to measure accurately, convert between units and calculate the perimeter of regular and irregular shapes. Pupils will also develop their understanding of Fractions, recognising equivalent fractions and finding fractions of amounts, before being introduced to Decimals, where they will explore tenths and hundredths, place decimals on number lines and make links between fractions, money and measures.

Years 5 & 6
Pupils begin with Multiplication and Division, consolidating efficient written methods and applying them to multi-step problems. They then move into Fractions, where they will multiply fractions by whole numbers and other fractions, divide fractions by integers, find fractions of amounts and use visual models such as bar models and number lines to deepen understanding. This learning links into Decimals, where pupils will explore place value to thousandths, compare and order decimals and convert between fractions and decimals. They will also study Area, Perimeter and Volume, learning how to calculate measurements and apply these skills to real-life problems. Finally, pupils will bring their learning together through Fractions, Decimals and Percentages, converting between all three and solving practical problems involving money, measures and data.

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English

This term, our English learning begins with persuasive speeches based on time travel. Pupils will explore powerful rhetorical devices such as emotive language, repetition, rhetorical questions and the power of three to persuade an audience. They will plan and perform their own speeches, developing confidence in public speaking while structuring arguments clearly and using evidence to support their ideas.

We then move on to poetry, where children will study a range of styles and forms, exploring imagery, rhythm and figurative language. Pupils will analyse poems, experiment with word choices and perform their own compositions, developing creativity and an appreciation of poetic language.

Finally, we will write Dickensian scene descriptions, inspired by Victorian settings. Children will explore atmosphere, descriptive vocabulary and sentence structure to create vivid settings. This unit links closely to our history topic, helping pupils bring their learning about Victorian Britain to life through rich, detailed writing.

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Science

In Spring 1, pupils will be studying Sound. They will learn how sound is made through vibrations and how these vibrations travel through different materials to reach our ears. Children will explore how the ear works, investigate volume and pitch, and carry out practical experiments to see how sound changes depending on distance, material and force. They will plan fair tests, take accurate measurements, record results and draw conclusions, developing key scientific enquiry skills throughout the unit.

In Spring 2, the focus shifts to Electricity. Pupils will learn how to build simple electrical circuits, identify components such as bulbs, wires, switches and batteries, and understand how electricity flows. They will investigate conductors and insulators, explore how changing components affects brightness and volume, and learn how to work safely with electrical equipment. Practical investigations will help children develop problem-solving skills and deepen their understanding of how electricity is used in everyday life.

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History

This term, pupils will study the Victorians, exploring one of the most significant periods in British history. Children will learn about the life and reign of Queen Victoria and investigate how the Industrial Revolution transformed Britain, leading to major changes in factories, transport and urban growth. They will study important Victorian inventions and consider how these developments changed everyday life for people from different social backgrounds.

Pupils will also explore health, disease and medicine in Victorian times, comparing this with modern healthcare, and learn what leisure time looked like for Victorian children and adults. Throughout the unit, children will work with historical sources, develop their understanding of chronology and make comparisons between past and present to strengthen their historical enquiry skills.

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Geography

In Spring, our geography work will focus on how people earn a living and what that looks like in the UK and around the world. Pupils will begin by exploring the wide variety of jobs people do and why work is important, before learning how different jobs are grouped into job sectors such as education, agriculture and services. They will investigate how industries vary in different places, looking at what goods and services are produced in the UK and in other countries, and how climate, resources and trade influence the kinds of work people do. Children will also think about unemployment, why some adults are not in work, and learn about the complex global issue of child labour — where and why it still exists, and what challenges it creates for individuals and communities. Throughout the unit, pupils will build geographical skills such as comparing places, reading maps, using key vocabulary and thinking about economic activity and human geography in meaningful real-world contexts.

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Art

This term in Art, pupils will explore street art and stencil techniques, discovering how artists use public spaces to communicate ideas and express creativity. They will begin by considering what counts as art, exploring how street art can both divide opinion and transform urban environments. Children will study examples of urban art, including satire and text-based designs, and think critically about how art can improve or challenge public spaces.

Pupils will then learn how to design and make stencils, experimenting with sketching, drawing, cutting and layering to create bold, eye-catching designs. They will develop their ideas over several lessons, using colour, composition and technique to refine their artwork before producing their own final stencil pieces inspired by what they have learned about style, message and impact.

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Design & Technology

This term in DT, pupils will learn all about bridge design and construction, exploring the engineering behind stable structures and how forces such as tension and compression act on them. They will begin by looking at beam bridges, learning how simple supports work and experimenting with building their own beams before moving on to more complex designs such as truss bridges, where triangles are used to distribute weight for greater strength.

Children will then investigate arch bridges, discovering how curved design helps transfer loads and why materials such as stone and brick were used historically. They will examine suspension bridges, exploring how cables and tension can support long spans. Throughout these lessons, pupils will build, test and refine their models using everyday materials, developing practical skills in measuring, cutting and joining.

Towards the end of the unit, pupils will take part in a bridge building challenge, where they design and make a functional model bridge to meet a design brief, and then evaluate their prototype based on criteria such as strength, stability and suitability for purpose. This practical, hands-on project helps children develop key DT skills: designing with intent, choosing appropriate materials, solving problems through testing and evaluation, and communicating ideas clearly.

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Computing
This term in Computing, pupils will be developing their skills using spreadsheets on Purple Mash. Children will learn how to enter and organise data, use simple formulas to perform calculations, and present information clearly using tables and charts. They will explore how spreadsheets can be used to solve problems, spot patterns and answer questions, linking closely to mathematical skills such as number, calculation and data handling. Throughout the unit, pupils will develop confidence in using digital tools, practise logical thinking, and learn how spreadsheets are used in real-world contexts to organise and analyse information efficiently.

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PSHE

Year 4
In Spring 1 (Keeping Safe), pupils learn how to recognise risks and make safe choices in everyday situations, including at school, at home and online. In Spring 2 (Rights and Respect), they explore what it means to have rights and responsibilities, learning how respect, fairness and care for others help create a positive community.

Year 5
During Keeping Safe, Year 5 pupils develop strategies for managing risk and staying safe in a wider range of situations, including online and in the community. In Rights and Respect, they learn about fairness, responsibility and respect, considering how their actions affect others and what it means to be a responsible citizen.

Year 6
In Spring 1, Year 6 pupils explore safety in more complex contexts, including peer influence, online behaviour and knowing how to seek help. In Spring 2 (Rights and Respect), they consider rights, responsibilities and respect in greater depth, exploring how to act responsibly, challenge unfairness and contribute positively to their school and wider community.

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Physical Education

This term in PE, pupils will take part in a wide range of activities to develop physical skills, teamwork and confidence. Swimming will focus on improving technique, stamina and water safety. In games lessons, children will develop tactical awareness and teamwork through Invasion Games (Tag Rugby) and Net and Wall Games (Tennis), practising passing, positioning and controlled shots. Pupils will also explore Dance, using the theme of Electricity to create expressive movement sequences, and develop balance, strength and coordination in Gymnastics, with a focus on controlled movement and sequencing.

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Music

This term in Music, pupils will explore different musical styles and develop their skills in listening, performance and composition. Through the unit Stop!, children will investigate grime and related contemporary styles, focusing on rhythm, beat, tempo and how musicians use these elements to create expression. They will listen actively to examples, practise rhythmic patterns and work creatively to compose and perform short pieces inspired by what they hear.

In the Lean on Me unit, pupils turn their attention to soul and gospel music, learning about its expressive qualities, rich harmonies and emotional impact. Children will explore how this music celebrates community and support, develop their singing and ensemble skills, and create musical responses that reflect the styles studied. Across both units, pupils will build confidence in performance, deepen their musical understanding, and appreciate how different genres communicate meaning and feeling.

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Spanish

This term, pupils will continue to build confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in Spanish. In Spring 1, Year 4 will learn to name and describe colours, Year 5 will explore vocabulary for pets, and Year 6 will focus on telling the time and describing daily routines using full sentences.

In Spring 2, Year 4 will move on to clothes, learning to describe what they are wearing, Year 5 will learn to talk about hobbies and interests, and Year 6 will explore mealtimes, developing language to describe food, routines and preferences. Across all year groups, lessons emphasise accurate pronunciation, sentence-building and practical communication.

Class Comet Timetable

Year 4/5/6 Yearly Overview

Year 4 Curriculum Expectations

Year 5 Curriculum Expectations

Year 6 Curriculum Expectations

In Key Stage 2, children take part in a small number of national assessments. These are designed to check progress against the National Curriculum and to give a clear picture of how children are doing. We always approach these in a calm and supportive way, making sure pupils feel confident and prepared without any unnecessary pressure.

Year 4 – Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)

• Taken in June.

• A short online check of 25 quick-fire multiplication questions (up to 12 × 12).

• The focus is on speed and fluency. Results help us see how well children know their times tables and where extra practice might be useful.

Year 6 – SATs (Standard Assessment Tests)

• Taken in May over the course of one week.

• Pupils sit several short papers under formal test conditions, but we make sure the week feels calm and supportive.

  • Reading Test (1 paper, 1 hour): Pupils read a booklet of texts (fiction, non-fiction and poetry) and answer questions to show their understanding, inference and ability to retrieve information.

  • Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (SPaG): This has two parts — a grammar and punctuation paper (45 minutes of short questions) and a spelling test (around 20 words read aloud).

  • Mathematics: Pupils complete three papers — one arithmetic paper (30 minutes) which tests calculation skills, and two reasoning papers (40 minutes each) which test problem-solving and application of maths in different contexts.

• Writing is not tested by a paper. Instead, it is teacher assessed across the year, using a wide range of independent work from different writing genres.

• The results provide a national benchmark and are shared with secondary schools to help ensure a smooth transition.

How parents can help at home
The best way families can support is through regular reading, encouraging children to practise their times tables, and talking positively about learning. Little and often makes the biggest difference. A calm routine, plenty of encouragement and celebrating small successes all help children to feel confident and ready for any assessment.