Harrier Class
Teachers: Mrs Stephanie Janas
Teaching Assistant: Mrs Christine Unwin
About Our Class
In year 5 the children move into Harrier Class with Mrs Janas, the class teacher, supported by Mrs Christine Unwin.
Outstanding levels of behaviour, appearance, manners and perseverance are expected and the
Harrier Class team actively promote the children becoming more independent, responsible and resilient in preparation for the move to Secondary education.
Harrier Class Autumn Term 2026
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to the new school year – we hope you had a lovely summer holiday. We’re all keen to get going with our learning in Harrier Class and this term we will continue to focus on Reading. Reading is one of the most important skills children develop in KS2 because it underpins success across the entire curriculum. Strong readers are better able to access and understand learning in subjects such as science, history, geography and mathematics, where comprehension of vocabulary, instructions and complex texts is essential. It is often easy to see the difference between the writing of a child who reads regularly and one who does not; children who read widely typically have a richer vocabulary, a better understanding of sentence structure and greater confidence in expressing their ideas. Conversely, children who read less often can struggle to develop these skills, and the gap between confident readers and weaker readers tends to widen as they get older. For this reason, fostering a love of reading in KS2 is crucial, not only for literacy development but also for long-term academic success across all subjects.
“Reading is the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible.“
Barack Obama
Your child’s planner will be checked every morning to ensure that they are reading every day. Please make this a habit, at bedtime for example, and continue to sign their planner each time you read with your child. (I am happy for them to write the book title and the pages they have read themselves). Reading with your child every day is one of the most effective ways to support their learning; by discussing what has happened, predicting what might happen next and explaining why, exploring the meaning of unfamiliar words, and encouraging them to regularly summarise what they have read, you can significantly strengthen their comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking and confidence as a reader.
Click here during school hours to complete an AR quiz. Please record your score in your planner.
Questions-to-use-when-reading-with-your-child
In Class This term
In our Science lessons we will be investigating Classifying Living Things and Evolution. We will learn to:
- Describe how living things are classified into broad groups according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and differences, including micro-organisms, plants and animals
- Give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics
- Recognise that living things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.
- Recognise that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but normally offspring vary and are not identical to their parents
- Identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to
In the first half of term, we will be studying local History. We will be investigating what we can learn from Long Sutton and its residents about WW2. We would love to hear any personal stories about your family during World War 2. We will learn:
- To develop a coherent narrative of the war including a British and world dimension.
- To understand the significance of the Blitz and the Battle of Britain.
- To learn the impact of World War II on people in our locality.
- To understand what it was like to be an evacuee
We will link our learning to our Music lessons, where we will learn Songs from WW2.
After half term, we will study Geography. We will learn all about Global Trade. The children will find out about the UK’s global trade links, investigating where everyday products come from and the journeys they take to our homes. The children will also map the journeys taken by items, and research the pros and cons of buying local or imported goods.
In English we will be concentrating on getting the basics absolutely correct every time we write. We will have a focus on editing for spelling and punctuation whilst maintaining legible, joined handwriting and reading sentences aloud to check whether they make sense or could be improved. We will then use these skills to write a Warning Tale, a Recount and an Information text, before ending the term with some poetry.
In Maths we will aim to get stuck, as this is when we learn the most! This term, the children will build on their existing mathematical knowledge through a range of engaging and challenging topics. The focus will be on developing fluency and confidence with place value, including working with larger numbers, as well as strengthening their understanding of the four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Children will also explore fractions, decimals and percentages, develop their reasoning and problem-solving skills, and apply their mathematical understanding to real problem solving. Throughout the term, pupils will be encouraged to use their Oracy skills to explain their thinking and use efficient methods to deepen their understanding.
This term in RE, we will explore two thought-provoking topics. In “What Matters Most to Humanists and Christians?”, children will investigate how people decide what is right and wrong, comparing Christian beliefs with Humanist values and considering the sources of authority that guide people’s actions. They will discuss the similarities and differences between these worldviews and reflect on the challenges and benefits of living by a moral code. In “Was Jesus the Messiah?”, we will learn about the Christian belief that Jesus was the promised Messiah and Saviour foretold in the Old Testament. They will explore why Christians believe Jesus fulfilled these expectations, while also learning that Jewish people do not believe Jesus was the Messiah. Through both units, children will develop their understanding of beliefs, values and the diverse ways people make sense of the world
Spellings homework will be given out on Mondays. Please ensure your child practises daily using the ‘Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check’ method. The practice sheet should be brought into school every day. There is an additional spelling homework sheet which should be handed in (named) by Friday. There will be a test on Fridays.
PE will be on Mondays and Fridays. We will be doing Tag Rugby and Cross Country in the first half of term and then Gymnastics and Yoga/Dance after half term. Please ensure your child has their PE kit in school every day just in case it is necessary to move PE due to unforeseen circumstances.
In DT this term, we will explore “What Could Be Healthier?”, learning about where food comes from and the farm-to-fork journey, while developing their understanding of healthy eating. They will compare the nutritional value of different foods, adapt a traditional recipe to make it healthier, and use their knowledge to design and create their own food product. 
After half term, we will develop their drawing skills through the study of Leonardo da Vinci, exploring his techniques for observation, sketching and shading while creating detailed drawings inspired by his famous works and scientific sketches.
Please can we remind everyone to ensure their child has fruit or veg for a snack at morning break. Please also remember that we promote healthy eating in school, so lunchboxes should contain a healthy, balanced lunch and we only allow water in drink bottles.
Please do not hesitate to contact me via the school office email if you have any questions or concerns. Best wishes. Mrs Stephanie Janas and Harrier class staff
Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend.
Amen
Documents for parents
Harrier Class Spellings Autumn 2023
Harrier Class Spellings Spring 2024
Remember to keep reading!
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