English

We will continue to study a variety of genres including narrative poems and myths and legends. Our language work will focus on parts of speech and descriptive writing, and the children will have the chance to apply their knowledge in their creative writing. We will also be preparing for ESB exams at the end of the term.

Mathematics

During this term we will revisit some topics such as fractions and division and look at areas, perimeters, data handling and shape. Homework will usually be on-line, but we will also use textbooks for consolidation work at times. The children will be encouraged to apply their knowledge in practical problem solving.

Science

Our topics this term are 'gases around us' and 'changing state'. We will be discovering the properties of solids, liquids and gases, investigating some uses for gases and researching the water cycle with emphasis on evaporation and condensation.

History

We begin our new topic on the Victorians this term. Starting with some general history skills on timelines and ordering events, we then look at Queen Victoria and her family. The children will have the opportunity to refine their research skills when studying what life was like for children and investigating the impact of the railways.

Geography

Our work this term begins with investigating volcanoes and earthquakes. The children will have the opportunity to improve their map reading skills before looking at 'passports to the world'. They will conduct a holiday survey as well as discussing places in the news.

Religious and Moral Education

Work will focus on celebrations at home and within the Christian church. We will discuss the giving and receiving of thanks and gifts and learn about Lent as the church's season for giving. We will also be learning about the events of Holy Week.

French

In the spring term, the children will be further developing their conversation work. They will learn the names of a variety of different sports, expressing their likes and dislikes. The children will be learning to describe the weather and will begin to show an understanding of the negative form in grammar.

ICT

The children will spend some time learning about photo editing software, exploring a number of the filters available. There will also be a number of collaborative writing tasks using wikis and similar tools

Music

As a preliminary to the proposed visit to the "Sound of Music", our term will start with songs from the show which we will listen to and also sing and play on percussion and recorders. Tchaikovsky's ballets will be the subject for listening as well as the descriptive music of the sea with such pieces as Vaughn William's Sea Symphony, Britten's Four Sea Interludes and Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture. These pieces will be used as inspirational work for the children to develop their own group compositions, in which they will compose music in parts in binary or ternary form. New songs and recorder pieces will be learnt throughout the term which the children will have the opportunity to perform in an assembly.

Art and Design

This term we will focus on our developing and resolving entries for the Hellenic Society Competition on Ancient Greece this Easter. Basing our work on the theme of "The Minotaur" and we will experiment further in a range of two and three-dimensional media focussing on painting and papier-mâché. Artists we will learn about to inspire the work will include Giacometti and Picasso. Pupils will have an opportunity to build on their individual strengths and ideas this term.

Physical Education

For the boys, the Spring term PE sessions will initially begin with exercise and stamina development to assess fitness levels. Rugby and cross-country running will constitute the main sessions up to half term. Basic cricket skills and the introduction of field and track techniques will follow in the latter stages of the term.
The girls will work on fitness levels and recognition of their stamina and endurance over longer distances in their cross-country running. They will recognise improvement in running the cross-country course as an achievement. They will improve their stride pattern and gain knowledge in proper breathing techniques. The girls will improve on their hockey skills including moving, dribbling, passing and receiving the ball. They will learn the skills associated with team invasion games, including marking, defence and attack. In football, the girls will develop their ball dribbling, passing and stopping skills. They will improve skill techniques and linking of learnt skills. We will work on the use of simple tactics and strategies. For netball, the girls will need to develop and improve their ball handling skills and footwork. We will work on tactical awareness and teamwork. They will improve their game plan and work on tactics and strategy.

It is emphasised that the above is offered as a guide only, and the school retains the flexibility to adapt its schemes of work to the needs of the individual or the class