Birkby Junior School

Year 6

Autumn Term 2024-25

We hope you had a fantastic summer and are ready to take on the challenge of Year 6; which will be the most difficult but most rewarding year of your education so far.

Year 6 is an exciting and challenging year. Not only are you are expected to take a more mature and independent approach towards your learning, you will have the opportunity to take on a range of leadership roles and responsibilities across school.  You will have a whole new set of maths, reading and writing targets to work on this year – which will require perseverance and resilience – and you will also have your end of Key Stage 2 tests (the SATs) in May. Don’t worry though by then you will be more than ready!

What will we be learning?

Please see the curriculum newsletter for an overview of our learning.

What will I need to bring to school?

You need to remember to bring your planner into school every day.  Your teacher will check your planner regularly and an adult at home will need to too. 

Your class teacher will inform you when you have PE lessons. When it’s your day for PE, you need to arrive at school in your PE kit – please ensure that it is the correct Birkby Junior School PE Uniform Also, make sure you have suitable footwear for PE, as we will be going outdoors for as much as possible. 

What work will I need to do at home?

You will receive homework every week (approximately 30 minutes per evening) in line with government guidance and you will be expected to complete it on time. There will usually be a piece of English, Maths and Science homework, but sometimes there may be homework to support another area of your studies.  If you struggle with your homework please do come and ask for help; we will be only too happy to do so!

Spellings will also be learnt but this may not always be in the form of a weekly test. We follow current research and use a variety of effective and creative ways to help children learn their spellings.

Bringing your planner to school every day, will help you to remember what work you need to do.  This is a good habit and will help you to become an independent leaner. Later in the year you will be issued with study books to support your work towards your SATs. Again these will need to be taken and home each evening and brought back into school as they will become invaluable to your development.

In addition to this, it is important that you continue to read and discuss texts with someone at home on a regular basis.  You will be able to visit the school library once a week, in order to select a new reading book. Try and read every day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes.  It doesn’t have to be the school library book – it could be a magazine you have read, game instructions, a recipe or any other texts you have been reading.

We know that you will have a fantastic time in Year 6, developing as inquisitive and independent learners.  We have an exciting journey ahead of us – we can’t wait to get started!