Welcome to Larch Class - 2025-2026
Welcome to Larch Class website page! We are a Year 5 class.
This year, the adults in Larch class are:
Larch Class Summer Term 2025/2026
The Romans:
In this exciting history topic, the children will travel back in time to learn about the Romans and explore the key question: Which events led to the end of the Roman Empire? In this unit, the pupils in Larch class will build their understanding of how the Roman Empire became so powerful and make links and comparisions to other periods in time that they have already studied. They will also learn about Roman legionaries, discovering what it was like to be a soldier and how the Roman army helped win important battles.In addition, the children will also explore what everyday life was like in Roman times, including homes, food and entertainment. This will help them imagine what it would have been like to live during this period and compare it to life today.
Science:
As Scientists we will continue to develop our knowledge of ‘Light' before moving on to the topic 'Living things and their habitats.' We will learn about the life cycles of different living things, including mammals, birds, insects and amphibians. The children will also explore how animals and plants reproduce and how offspring develop into adults. We will then also compare different habitats and understand how living things are adapted to survive in their environments. Throughout the topic, children will work scientifically by observing, classifying and recording data.
Art and Design Technology:
In Art, the children will explore Roman mosaics and create their own detailed designs inspired by patterns and images from Ancient Rome. They will develop their skills in drawing, colour, and pattern while learning how mosaics were used to tell stories and decorate Roman buildings. In Design and Technology, the children will design, build and test their own Roman-style catapults. They will learn how mechanisms work, how to create strong structures, and how to improve their designs through testing and evaluation. Both projects are closely linked to their history learning about the Romans, helping children understand how creativity and engineering were important in Roman life.
If you would like to discover more about this half-term's learning, below is a copy of our current Parent/Carer Forecast. This useful document shows the learning and exciting opportunities that will be taking place in Larch Class throughout Summer 1. If you would like to know more, please also take a look at our Long-Term Plan to discover everything that will be taking place this academic year. Please make an appointment to speak to Miss Dumelow if you have any further questions about our learning.
Our Class Book:
This half-term, our class book is - Clockwork by Phillip Pullman. This story is a gripping tale full of mystery, tension and cleverly connected tales. The children will follow different characters whose lives slowly begin to link together in surprising ways. As the stories unfold, strange events and chilling warnings begin to build towards something unexpected. But just when everything starts to make sense… a final secret is about to change everything forever.
P.E Information:
This half-term, our P.E session day is on Thursday. Children can attend school in their PE kits on their PE day but if attending an after school sports club, they must bring a change of kit. The required PE kit consists of black or navy shorts or tracksuit bottoms, accompanied by a white or blue T-shirt. Additionally, students should wear a black or navy zip-up hoodie, which is suitable for both warmth and ease of movement during physical activities. In terms of footwear, children may wear trainers that are appropriate for sport. This half-term in P.E, we will be developing our Athletics skills. In this unit, the pupils will learn to run with greater fluency & speed, including hurdling; sustain pace over longer distances; complete a variety of athletics races, throwing and jumping events. We will then combine all athletics skills into a Sports Day style competition.
Class Dojo:
Throughout the half-term, class news, photographs and updates will be posted on Class Dojo. You can also use class dojo to contact Miss Dumelow if you have any further questions and post any extra home learning on your portfolio.
Larch Class - Spring Term - 2025-2026
Protecting the Environment
This term, our class topic is Protecting the Environment. We will be learning about how the choices humans make can damage the environment and what we can do to look after our world.
In Geography, we will explore how people use the Earth’s resources and how human activity can change environments around the world, linking to the Key Stage 2 focus on human and physical geography. We will also learn about global issues, including why some people are forced to leave their homes and become refugees.
In Science, we will investigate the properties of different materials and think carefully about which materials are best for protecting the environment, such as reducing waste and reusing or recycling materials.
In Art, we will study the work of diverse artists who use their artwork to show the impact of environmental damage and the refugee crisis, helping us understand how these issues affect people across the world.
Through this topic, we will develop our knowledge, empathy and responsibility, learning how we can all play a part in protecting our planet for the future
If you would like to discover more about this half-term's learning, below is a copy of our current Parent/Carer Forecast. This useful document shows the learning and exciting opportunities that will be taking place in Larch Class throughout Spring 1. If you would like to know more, please also take a look at our Long-Term Plan to discover everything that will be taking place this academic year. Please make an appointment to speak to Miss Dumelow if you have any further questions about our learning.
Parent Forecast
Below is a copy of our current Parent/Carer Forecast. This useful document shows the learning and exciting opportunities that will be taking place in Larch Class throughout our first half-term. If you would like to know more, please also take a look at our Long-Term Plan to discover everything that will be taking place this academic year. Please make an appointment to speak to Miss Dumelow if you have any further questions about our learning.
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Parent Forecast Autumn 1 | [pdf 414KB] |
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Parent Forecast Spring 1 2026 | [pdf 797KB] |
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Parent Forecast Spring 2 2026 | [pdf 473KB] |
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Our Class Book
half-term, our class book is - The Boy at the back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf. This is a powerful and thoughtful story about friendship, kindness and understanding. It follows a young boy who has fled his home because of war and is trying to settle into a new school. Through the eyes of his classmates, the book explores themes of empathy, the refugee experience and standing up for what is right. Throughout this term, this book will support us in further understanding global issues, develop greater compassion and learn how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
Remarkable Readers:
Reading at home is one of the most important ways in which you can help your child. Children who read with their families develop these skills much more quickly and develop a love of Reading that can last a lifetime. Being a confident reader supports children in all areas of the curriculum and beyond school.
In Larch Class, we aim to be Remarkable Readers every single week!
Homework
Below is a copy of our homework menu for this current half-term. Homework will be set on a Friday and due in by the following Wednesday. We are always so excited to see the work that you complete at home and love to proudly display it in our classroom. We can’t wait to see the amazing work that you create this academic year! In addition to your homework, we expect all children to regularly practise their multiplication facts and division facts at home. They must also learn their weekly spellings.
P.E Information
This half-term, our P.E session day is on Wednesday. Children can attend school in their PE kits on their PE day but if attending an after school sports club, they must bring a change of kit. The required PE kit consists of black or navy shorts or tracksuit bottoms, accompanied by a white or blue T-shirt. Additionally, students should wear a black or navy zip-up hoodie, which is suitable for both warmth and ease of movement during physical activities. In terms of footwear, children may wear trainers that are appropriate for sport. This half-term in P.E, we will be learning how to develop our teamwork and collaborative skills by engaging in the topic of Basketball.
Class Dojo
hroughout the half-term, class news, photographs and updates will be posted on Class Dojo. You can also use class dojo to contact Miss Dumelow if you have any further questions and post any extra home learning on your portfolio.
Our Class Book
In the first week back we will be reading the whole school book - The Magical Yet, written by Angela DiTerlizzi. The Magical Yet encourages patience, persistence, and resilience. We will use the story to develop our growth mindset; the book uses this concept to teach that abilities can develop through dedication and hard work. We will also create some beautiful, inspired poetry.
In addition, this half-term we will be delving into the popular novel - Alex Rider - Stormbreaker, written by the author Anthony Horowitz. After his uncle and legal guardian, Ian Rider, dies in a mysterious car crash, Alex discovers that his uncle was secretly a field agent for MI6. The intelligence agency trains Alex to become a teenage super spy and sends him on his first mission. We look forward to exploring the themes of perseverance, courage and identity in more detail in this well-liked coming-of-age story.
Reading
Reading is a fundamental skill that underpins so many other areas of the curriculum. It is incredibly important to read a wide variety of text types to improve your word knowledge, reading stamina and ultimately immerse yourself in the wonderful world of story telling.
In Larch Class we love reading! We have a beautiful reading area in our classroom with cosy cushions and bean bags so we can curl up with our favourite novel in comfort.
Remarkable Readers
Reading at home is one of the most important ways in which you can help your child. Children who read with their families develop these skills much more quickly and develop a love of Reading that can last a lifetime. Being a confident reader supports children in all areas of the curriculum and beyond school.
Our new Reading recognition system, Remarkable Readers, aims to ensure that all our children are remarkable with their Reading throughout the year.
Each time a child reads they achieve a ‘Reading Point’
Depending on age, this could be:
- Reading at home to an adult
- In school independently
- At home independently
In Larch Class, we aim to be Remarkable Readers every single week!
Homework
Below is a copy of our homework menu for this current half-term. Homework will be set on a Friday and due in by the following Wednesday. We are always so excited to see the work that you complete at home and love to proudly display it in our classroom. We can’t wait to see the amazing work that you create this academic year! In addition to your homework, we expect all children to regularly practise their multiplication facts and division facts at home. They must also learn their weekly spellings.
P.E Information
This year, our P.E session day is Thursday. Children can attend school in their PE kits on their PE day but if attending an after school sports club, they must bring a change of kit. The required PE kit consists of black or navy shorts or tracksuit bottoms, accompanied by a white or blue T-shirt. Additionally, students should wear a black or navy zip-up hoodie, which is suitable for both warmth and ease of movement during physical activities. In terms of footwear, children may wear trainers that are appropriate for sport. This half-term in P.E, we will be learning how to develop our gymnastics skills. We will develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance. In addition, we will perform routines using a range of movement patterns.
Dojo Points
As a school, we are committed to creating a learning environment where exemplary behaviour is at the heart of productive learning. We encourage a calm and happy atmosphere throughout school and this year, we will be rewarding children with 'Dojo Points' for displaying examples of being a Kirkby Avenue role model. In Larch class, we have worked together to create a class charter which highlights our class expectations and shows the amazing treats that can be earned by following our rules. All parents and carers have been invited to sign up to Class Dojo as this is a further way of staying up to date with all things 'Larch Class.' We will be posting lots of pictures of our learning throughout the year so keep your eyes peeled for more. If you have any issues with signing up to Class Dojo, please speak to Miss Dumelow.