Year 5
Year 5 resources for families
Class Timetables
Curriculum Maps
To access the Curriculum Maps, please click the links below.
Year 5 Curriculum Map spring 2025
Year 5 Curriculum Map autumn 2024
Reading Ramble
To access the autumn term Reading Ramble, please click the link below.
Year 5 Reading Ramble spring 2025
Year 5 Reading Ramble autumn 2024
Mathematics - Calculation policy
About Year 5
In Year 5, we study a variety of exciting topics over the course of the year.
In the Autumn Term, our first geography topic is about mountains and volcanoes. We learn about the structure of the earth; plate tectonics and how they affect the formation of volcanoes and mountains. We explore how earthquakes and tsunamis are caused and the impact they have on their surroundings. During this topic, we also visit the Natural History Museum in London. In the second half of the Autumn Term, our topic is the Stone Age where we learn about chronology, the different eras of the Stone Age, Stone Age tools, settlements, and prehistoric animals.
In science in the Autumn term, we look at ‘Forces’ where we learn about friction, air and water resistance and gravity. Our second topic is Space, which includes how day and night occur and how the seasons are created. Throughout these topics, we conduct a range of practical investigations to develop our working scientifically skills.
In English, we explore the writing of Roald Dahl, create our own characters and Twit tricks in the style of Roald Dahl. Nearer Christmas, we write our own version of the Snowman by Raymond Briggs. To link with our work on earth science, we write recounts based on the book Escape from Pompeii and non-chronological reports about mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes.
During the Spring Term, we have a history-based topic on the Ancient Greeks. Children will learn about the origins of the Olympics, the importance of democracy and the influence of the Greeks on the English language. The children will also study Ancient Greek beliefs, Greek gods and goddesses and historical battles. In geography, our work is centred on maps: how they are made, how to use them and how you can plan a journey using grid references and symbols.
In science the spring term, we will be looking at properties of materials, comparing and grouping everyday materials, based on their properties: hardness, conductivity, transparency, solubility and their response to magnets. Next, we will study Animals including humans, describing the changes as humans develop to old age. The children will learn about a number of different life cycles (mammals, amphibians and birds). We also visit Winchester Science Museum to attend workshops on space and rocket ships.
In English this term, the children will explore Ancient Greek Myths. We focus on the story of Theseus and the Minotaur and use this as inspiration for our own myths. Alongside our work on the Ancient Greeks in topic, we will be writing explanation texts and non-chronological reports about Greek Gods and Goddesses.
Throughout the Summer Term, our topic is World War II. We explore key events that happened during this time and what impact this had on daily life. We study rationing, evacuation, the Blitz, D-Day, women in the war and learn about the Enigma Machine. The children visit a local outdoor education centre: Henley Fort, where they spend an action-packed day experiencing life during WWII. This term’s English is linked to our topic of WWII. We explore the story of Goodnight Mister Tom and use this as inspiration for our own writing. We also write remembrance poetry based on our work on D-Day.
In science, the children will be learning about reproduction in both mammals and plants. They will also learn about reversible and irreversible changes (including filtering and sieving).
In Maths, the children study the following units: Number and Place Value; Addition and Subtraction; Multiplication and Division; Fractions, Decimals and Percentages; Measurement; Properties of Shape; Position and Direction and Statistics. In each unit, the children have the opportunity to develop their skills in fluency, reasoning and problem solving.
The Year 5 Team