Year 5 Curriculum Summary September 2026

Year 5 Curriculum Summary for Parents Term 1 • 2026/27

This information represents a summary of plans for the term. Please understand that all plans are flexible; there is always the possibility that fewer (or more) topics will be covered than those stated.

Subject

Topics

This term, Year 5 pupils will explore the theme of Adventure and Balanced Argument through the class novel Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo. Through reading, discussion, and analysis of the text, pupils will develop their comprehension skills and deepen their understanding of character, setting, and themes.

In writing, pupils will learn to construct a balanced argument, considering different viewpoints and presenting evidence clearly. They will also write diary entries from a character's perspective and create a jungle adventure narrative, using a range of descriptive techniques to engage the reader and bring settings and events to life.

English

Grammar and language lessons will focus on: •

Modal verbs to express possibility and certainty

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Adverbials of time and cause to improve cohesion and clarity Paragraphing to organise ideas effectively

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Fronted adverbials to vary sentence structure Expanded noun phrases to add detail and precision

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Commas for clarity and accurate punctuation

Throughout the term, pupils will be encouraged to develop their vocabulary, reading fluency, speaking and listening skills, and confidence as independent writers.

Place Value: numbers up to 1 million; comparing large numbers; rounding numbers to various place values; multiplying and dividing by powers of 10; Roman numerals.

Arithmetic: adding and subtracting large numbers.

Maths

Integers: multiples and common multiples; factors and common factors; prime numbers; square numbers.

Fractions: equivalence; converting between mixed numbers and improper fractions; adding and subtracting fractions.

Science

Working as a Scientist • Working Safely in the Laboratory • Lab equipment • Planning and carrying out investigations • Accuracy, precision and taking measurements • Variables, recording results and drawing conclusions Living Things and Their Habitats • Characteristics and needs of living things • Habitats and adaptations • Life cycles of plants and animals

Healthy Living and Descriptions: Pupils will revisit learning from before the summer break by reviewing parts of the body, talking about illnesses using j’ai mal à..., discussing healthy habits, and French

taking part in simple role plays chez le docteur. They will then learn to describe themselves and others using être and avoir, including physical appearance, hair and eye colour, personality traits, and the qualities of a good friend using simple character adjectives.

Kiswahili

This term learners will develop their ability to discuss their interests, travel experiences, and favourite forms of entertainment in Swahili. They will expand their leisure vocabulary by learning a range of verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs used to describe hobbies and free-time activities. Learners will also build detailed travel vocabulary, including different modes of transport, terminals, and travel-related

expressions, enabling them to communicate confidently about journeys. In addition, they will explore vocabulary related to books, films, and television, learning how to describe them, express opinions and preferences, and discuss their favourite stories and programmes.

Spanish (SFC)

Personal Information: Pupils will recap and strengthen their personal information vocabulary, including name, age, and birthday. They will also learn to talk about dates and time, explore Hispanic countries, and develop their vocabulary for school items.

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Humanities

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• • • Art

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• • • Design Technology

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• • Computing

Games

The First Explorers- The Portuguese, Burton & Speke (The Nile), Livingstone & Stanley (The Zambezi).

Factors influencing exploration (population, natural resources, religious demographic, compass navigation).

Geography: Major Kenyan & African Rivers.

Kenyan History: The Kenya – Uganda Railway including geography of Kenya, vegetation and tourism.

Exploring the qualities of successful explorers through Kensuke's Kingdom, including resilience, courage, independence and problem-solving.

Comparing Michael's journey in Kensuke's Kingdom with the experiences of historical explorers, considering the challenges of navigation, survival and discovery.

Explore artivism and how artists use art to raise awareness of social and environmental issues, including the work of Africa Collect Textiles.

Develop observational drawing skills through studies of African birds, using line, shape, tone and shading.

Create collages and fusion fabric textile pieces inspired by Charlie Harper and Emmanuel Eperu, exploring pattern and texture.

Develop chalk and oil pastel techniques, including blending, colour mixing, sgraffito, scumbling and stippling.

Investigate environmental issues and the importance of the Sun through Luke Jerram's Helios installation.

Develop batik skills using wax-resist techniques to create work for a collaborative giant Sun installation.

Students design and make Kenyan matatus inspired by the vibrant culture, creativity and identity reflected in matatu design across Kenya.

Research Kenyan matatu culture; develop design ideas; select appropriate materials; construct a model vehicle; evaluate function, appearance and sustainability.

Investigate, sketching, design communication, measuring, cutting, shaping, joining, model making, problem solving, teamwork and evaluation.

Explore how matatus communicate stories, music, art, national identity and local community values.

Develop accuracy, attention to detail, neat finishing, quality construction and pride in workmanship while exploring the works of Mohamed Kartar, Mike Obiya and Toyota Kenya Develop confidence in handling basic workshop tools and machines while emphasizing on safety

How software and hardware function, including peripherals.

Kodu - Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals; Solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts; Create games with 3D lifelike environments and landscapes with a variety of terrain; Program sprites to move around the landscapes, interacting with other objects and the terrain itself.

Children will be introduced to the core skills and develop their understanding of cricket, football and athletics. They will be able to develop their team play and communication in inter-school fixtures and festivals. They will have access to training sessions that allow them to interpret and understand tactics, positions and game play features.

Music

Drama

The start of the term focuses on developing critical listening skills and reviewing music staff literacy using treble and bass clef, compound and simple time signatures, and introducing key signatures. From there we dive into the elements of sound and develop a definition of what makes sounds or combinations of sounds qualify as music. This will involve us investigating natural sounds and using found instruments to create nature soundscapes.

Introduction to Drama-Learners will be introduced to the fundamental concepts, language, and skills of drama. They will explore what drama is and become familiar with key terms used within the discipline, developing an understanding of how drama communicates ideas, emotions, and stories to an audience.

Learners will develop their performance skills through practical exploration of facial expressions, body language, gestures, and stage movement, considering how these elements can be used effectively to communicate character and meaning without relying solely on words. They will also be exploring the voice, developing greater awareness and control of voice projection, articulation, pace, and clarity when performing.

P.E.

Students will begin more structured fitness training, developing endurance, strength, flexibility, speed and agility. They will refine techniques in 100m and 200m sprints, 800m, 4 × 100m relays, long jump, high jump and turbo javelin throw. Students will also begin developing pacing strategies for sustained 1,500m running and understand the benefits of good physical fitness.

Swimming

Children will learn advanced stroke techniques/skills in Freestyle and Backstroke while incorporating dives/backstroke starts, turns, and finishing skills applicable to swimming competitions.

Being me in my world – the key topics covered in this puzzle piece include looking at our place in global society and how our actions make a difference. Key discussions include rights and responsibilities, empathising with children and people who do not have their rights respected, as well as the use of rewards and sanctions. Ultimately, we hope pupils will see that they have an important role to play in society and that their rights come with responsibilities. Finally, we ask them to try and form their own Learning Charter to aid positive learning throughout the year.

P.S.H.E. Celebrating differences - the key topics covered in this puzzle piece include understanding that there are many cultures in the world and they should all be celebrated. Discussions may include topics about conflicts (such as falling out with friends / bullying / racism) and how they make us feel but most importantly what we should do about it / how we can help resolve issues. Additionally, pupils will discuss different types of bullying and their causes – such as rumour-spreading, name-calling, cyberbullying, money etc.