Dear Parent/Guardian,

Year 6 is the final year at Knowsley Junior School and a very important one too! The children learn to become more independent in preparation for secondary school. They will have planner, which they are expected to use daily. These should be checked and signed weekly, by a parent. It is during this year that the Key Stage 2 SATs take place, so the children need to continue to work very hard.

In the autumn term, our topic is World War 2 – What Did Britain Battle For? Through our creative curriculum, all of the children’s work will be based around significant events which took place during the Second World War, with a particular focus on the Battle of Britain. As with all our themes, if you have any resources that we could share with the children, we would be grateful if you could send them in.

In spring, we will learn about the Maya, an ancient South American civilisation. We are very excited about our curriculum and know that the children will share our enthusiasm.

The children will sit their Key Stage 2 SATs during the week beginning Monday 10th May 2027. Your child’s attendance is of paramount importance. After SATs, we allow the children to choose their own topics within their classes and this always brings much enjoyment.

The summer term is spent preparing your child for their transition to secondary school, building their confidence and independence for this huge step. The year will end with our annual Year 6 Presentation Evening, a night of celebration, entertainment and lots of fond memories.

Here's looking forward to a challenging, action packed and fun-filled year!

Your Year 6 teachers.

At Knowsley Junior School, we know that children achieve their best when home and school work together. This year, we have developed our approach to home learning, informed by research from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).

Our home learning activities are designed to be purposeful, manageable and enjoyable, reinforcing classroom learning, encouraging regular reading and helping children practise key skills. We encourage children to complete activities little and often, developing their confidence, independence and positive learning habits.

Please encourage your child to take part and use their school planner to record, share and celebrate their learning at home.

Learning happens everywhere. By working together, we can help our children develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive.

• Year 5/6 Spelling Challenge – practise the Year 5 and Year 6 statutory spelling words. Can you explain their meanings and use them correctly in sentences?
• Research Challenge – find out more about the topic you are studying in school. Can you discover three interesting facts that have not been discussed in class?
• Weekly Journal – write about something you have enjoyed, learned or achieved during the week. Remember to use accurate punctuation and interesting vocabulary.

Proofreading Challenge – choose a piece of your own writing and improve it. Check spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and whether you could use more ambitious vocabulary.

• Plan Your Week – look at the week ahead with an adult. Write down when you will complete your homework, read at home and attend any clubs or activities. Try to stick to your plan!
• Try Something New – take part in something outside your usual routine. Try a new sport, join a club, learn a new skill, cook something new or have a go at an activity you have never tried before.
• Plan a Family Activity – take responsibility for organising something to do together. Choose a board game, help plan and prepare a family meal, organise a walk or research a local place you could visit.
• Pack It Yourself – pack your own school bag the night before. Check your planner and make sure you have your reading book, homework, PE kit and anything else you need for the next day.
• Take on a Job at Home – choose one household job to be responsible for for a whole week. You could make your bed, load the dishwasher, help prepare a meal, feed a pet or keep your bedroom tidy.

Previous studies of ancient civilisations culminates in an in-depth examination of the Maya. It extends children’s learning from the familiar and concrete to the unfamiliar and abstract – this is their first exploration of South America. Their preceding topics will help them to make greater sense of the Maya by organising and connecting information and ideas about people, places, processes and environments previously studied. Their knowledge of river settlements and other parallels (particularly with Ancient Egypt) such as the importance of religion, hieroglyphs, pyramids and isolated communities will enable children’s prior knowledge to be activated and applied.

School Learning Zone - The Maya

•   WW2 Learning Outcomes [pdf 214KB]
•   WW2 Skills and Knowledge Mat [pdf 236KB]
•   Maya Non Negotiables [pdf 444KB]
•   Maya Skills and Knowledge Mat [pdf 576KB]