Woodthorpe Church of England Primary School

Welcome to Class 4

In Class 4, we have Year 4 and Year 5 children learning together in a supportive and engaging environment. Maths and Reading are taught in year groups, ensuring that every child is challenged and supported at the right level. We also enjoy English, where we develop our writing and grammar skills through a range of high-quality texts.

In the afternoons, we dive into a variety of foundation subjects, making learning creative, hands-on, and exciting. A weekly highlight is our PE lesson with coaches from Chesterfield Community Football Club (CCFC) – always energetic, active, and full of fun!

Our classroom is a place where we work hard, have fun, and support one another — learning and growing together to be the best we can be.

Teaching Team:

Miss Challinor – Class Teacher

Amazing things we are learning about!

Autumn Term 2026

Year 4

🏺 History – What can we learn from Ancient Egypt?

Children travel back to Ancient Egypt to explore pharaohs, pyramids, mummification, gods and goddesses, hieroglyphics and everyday life. They use artefacts and historical sources to discover what they reveal about Egyptian society and beliefs.

🔬 Science – How and why do materials change their state?

Children investigate solids, liquids and gases and explore how heating and cooling cause changes of state. Through practical experiments, they investigate melting, freezing, evaporation and condensation.

🏗️ Design Technology – How can we build strong structures like the Ancient Egyptians?

Children investigate Egyptian structures such as pyramids and tombs and explore how shape, materials and construction techniques create strength and stability. They design, build, test and improve their own structures, including using computer-aided design.

🎨 Art – How can we use line, shape and colour to express movement and emotion?

Inspired by artists including Keith Haring, Mr Doodle, Andy Warhol, Lady Pink and Lakwena Maciver, children explore bold lines, shapes, colours and patterns. They experiment with drawing, movement, printing and colour to create expressive artwork.

🕉️ RE – What does it mean to be a Hindu in Britain today?

Children explore Hindu beliefs, traditions and practices, including puja, festivals, the mandir and Hindu deities. They consider how Hinduism is practised in different ways within modern British communities.

✝️ RE – What is the Trinity and why is it important for Christians?

Children explore the Christian belief in the Trinity: God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They investigate how the Trinity is represented through Bible stories, symbols, prayer and worship.

Year 5

🏺 History – Would you like to live in Tudor times?

Children explore Tudor monarchs, key events and everyday life. They investigate how wealth, religion and gender affected people and use historical sources to draw conclusions about the period.

🔬 Science – How and why do scientists classify living things?

Children learn how scientists classify plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms. They use classification keys and investigate similarities and differences between living things.

🌍 Geography – How and why do places change?

Children explore UK settlements, cities, population, land use, trade and transport. They use maps and geographical data to investigate how places develop and become more sustainable.

🎨 Art – How can we use line, shape and colour to sketch expressive characters?

Inspired by Pete McKee, children explore line, shape and colour to create expressive characters. They develop drawing skills and create artwork that communicates personality and emotion.

🏗️ Design Technology – How can we design and make a pie with a savoury filling?

Children explore nutrition, ingredients and food safety before designing and making their own savoury pie. They develop practical cooking skills and evaluate their finished product.

✝️ RE – What matters most to Christians and Humanists?

Children explore Christian and Humanist values, including love, forgiveness, fairness, justice and peace. They compare different viewpoints and consider how beliefs influence people’s lives.

🕊️ RE – Why do some people believe God exists?

Children explore different beliefs about God, including Christian, atheist and agnostic viewpoints. They consider evidence, experiences and different explanations for belief and non-belief.

Spring Term 2027

Year 4

🌍 Geography – What is it like to live in different places in Europe?

Children explore Europe's countries, landscapes, climates and environments. They use maps and geographical data to compare places and investigate how climate and physical features influence people's lives.

🌱 Science – How can we sort and identify the incredible variety of living things?

Children investigate how plants and animals can be grouped and classified. They explore different habitats and develop skills in observing, comparing, classifying and identifying living things.

🫀 Science – How does our body use food to stay healthy?

Children explore the digestive system and the journey food takes through the body. They investigate different types of teeth and learn how a balanced diet provides the nutrients and energy our bodies need.

⚙️ Design Technology – How can we use pulleys to solve a problem?

Children explore pulleys and mechanical systems and investigate how they can make tasks easier. They design, build, test and improve a pulley mechanism designed to solve a real-world problem.

🗿 Art – How can we use shape, form and space to create 3D sculptures?

Inspired by Barbara Hepworth, Andy Goldsworthy and Henry Moore, children explore shape, form, texture and positive and negative space. They experiment with different materials and techniques to create their own sculptures.

🌍 RE – What can we learn from religions about deciding what is right and wrong?

Children explore how religious teachings and stories can influence decisions about right and wrong. They consider values such as kindness, fairness, forgiveness, honesty and responsibility.

✝️ RE – Why do Christians call the day that Jesus died Good Friday?

Children explore the Easter story and Christian beliefs about Jesus' death, salvation, forgiveness and reconciliation. They investigate why Good Friday is an important day for Christians.

Year 5

🏭 History – Was life better or worse in Victorian times compared to now?

Children explore Victorian life, including work, education, health, housing and the experiences of rich and poor. They use historical sources to compare Victorian Britain with life today.

🫀 Science – What happens inside our bodies when we exercise, eat or make lifestyle choices?

Children learn about the heart, blood and circulatory system and investigate how exercise affects the body. They explore how diet, exercise and lifestyle choices can affect health.

🦋 Science – How do living things adapt and evolve?

Children explore inheritance, variation and adaptation. They investigate how living things change over time and use fossils and other evidence to understand evolution.

🗿 Art – How can we use different materials to create 3D sculpture?

Inspired by Lindsay Jones, children experiment with clay, wire and other materials to create 3D sculptures. They explore shape, structure, balance and different joining techniques.

🏗️ Design Technology – How can we design and build a strong railway bridge?

Children investigate different types of bridges and explore how structures can be made strong and stable. They design, build, test and improve their own bridge.

✝️ RE – Can we live by the values of Jesus in the twenty-first century?

Children explore Jesus’ teachings about love, forgiveness, generosity, compassion and justice. They consider how these values can be applied to life today.

🕉️ RE – What difference does it make to believe in ahimsa, grace and Ummah?

Children explore the ideas of ahimsa, grace and Ummah in Hindu, Christian and Muslim traditions. They consider how these beliefs can influence people’s choices and actions.

Summer Term 2026

Year 4

🌎 Geography – How does the rainforest climate affect plants, animals and the environment?

Children explore South America, with a focus on the Amazon Rainforest. They investigate its climate, layers, wildlife and people, as well as the impact of deforestation and environmental change.

⚔️ History – Who was stronger, the Vikings or the Anglo-Saxons, and why?

Children explore Viking and Anglo-Saxon Britain, including settlements, beliefs, lifestyles and battles. They use historical sources and evidence to compare the two groups and investigate their struggle for control of England.

🔊 Science – How is sound created and changed?

Children investigate how sound is made by vibrations and how these travel through different materials. They explore pitch, volume, reflection and absorption through practical investigations.

⚡ Science – How do electrical circuits work?

Children learn how to construct simple electrical circuits using cells, wires, switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors. They investigate how circuits work and how switches control the flow of electricity.

🌮 Design Technology – How can we create a healthy South American-inspired meal?

Children explore South American ingredients and flavours while developing their cooking skills. They prepare dishes such as salsa and tortilla fillings, learning about nutrition, food hygiene and safe cooking techniques.

🎨 Art – How can we create a self-portrait that tells us something about who we are?

Inspired by Frida Kahlo, children explore how artists use self-portraits to communicate identity, feelings and experiences. They develop skills in drawing, painting, proportion, colour and expression to create their own self-portrait.

🌍 RE – How and why do people mark significant events in life?

Children explore how people celebrate and mark important life events, including birth, marriage, coming of age and death. They compare religious and non-religious traditions and consider the importance of family, community and belonging.

✝️ RE – What was the impact of Pentecost?

Children explore the Ascension and Pentecost and their importance to Christians. They learn about the Holy Spirit, the beginnings of the Christian Church and why Pentecost continues to be celebrated today.

Year 5

⚔️ History – How did the World Wars change life in Britain?

Children explore the impact of the First and Second World Wars on life in Britain, including evacuation, rationing, air raids and the Home Front. They use historical sources to investigate different experience.

💡 Science – How does the movement of light explain what we observe?

Children investigate how light travels, reflects and creates shadows. Through practical experiments, they explore how light helps us see the world around us.

⚡ Science – How do electrical circuits work?

Children investigate electrical circuits and components such as cells, bulbs, buzzers, motors and switches. They construct and test circuits and explore how changing components affects their performance.

🌎 Geography – How does South America shape how people live and trade?

Children explore South America’s countries, landscapes, climates and natural resources. They investigate how the physical environment influences settlements, lifestyles and global trade.

🎨 Art – Can we use repetition and pattern to create artwork?

Inspired by Yayoi Kusama, children explore repetition, pattern, colour and shape. They experiment with drawing, printing, collage and sculpture to create their own repeated designs.

⚙️ Design Technology – How can we use electrical systems to make a carnival float?

Children design and build a carnival float incorporating electrical systems. They explore circuits, switches, lights, buzzers and motors before testing and evaluating their finished designs.

👑 RE – For Christians, what kind of king is Jesus?

Children explore Christian beliefs about Jesus as king and the Kingdom of God. They investigate how Jesus’ teachings about love, service, forgiveness and justice influence Christian life.

🙏 RE – How does faith help people when life gets hard?

Children explore how faith can provide hope, comfort, strength and support during difficult times. They consider how prayer, worship, religious teachings and communities can help people through challenges.

Maths

As a school, we follow the White Rose Maths scheme, which sets out what your child will learn in maths throughout the year.

Each year is divided into three terms – autumn, spring and summer – with each term covering key topics in blocks of learning. Below is an outline of the main areas covered and a link to videos showing what your child has been learning.

To support your child’s maths learning at home, regular times tables practice is essential. By the end of Year 4, children are expected to know all their multiplication and division facts up to 12 × 12. Continue to make this enjoyable through games, songs and online challenges. Quick recall of these facts helps children in many areas of maths as they move into upper Key Stage 2.

Our calculation policy explains how children are taught to calculate using the four mathematical operations. As they move through the school, their methods become increasingly efficient and formal, building on strong mental and pictorial foundations.

Year 4

Children become more confident with written methods and start applying them to more complex calculations.

Addition and Subtraction: Add and subtract numbers with up to four digits using formal columnar methods where appropriate.
Multiplication and Division: Recall all multiplication and division facts up to 12 × 12. Multiply two- and three-digit numbers by a one-digit number using formal written layout. Use place value and known facts to multiply and divide mentally.
Place Value: Recognise the value of each digit in a four-digit number (thousands, hundreds, tens, ones).

Year 5

In Year 5, children extend their understanding to work confidently with larger numbers, decimals and fractions, and develop fluency with more formal written methods.

Addition and Subtraction: Add and subtract numbers with more than four digits using formal written methods and check answers using estimation and inverse operations.
Multiplication and Division: Multiply and divide numbers mentally and using formal written methods, including multiplying four-digit numbers by one- or two-digit numbers. Understand factors, multiples, squares and cubes, and solve problems involving these concepts.
Place Value: Recognise and understand numbers up to 1,000,000, including rounding, comparing and ordering them. Read, write and understand numbers with up to three decimal places.

Useful Documents and links

(please always check the website before a child uses it)