Our enquiry-based approach in Year 6 takes children on a journey of memorable learning through rich and purposeful experiences, culminating in authentic outcomes which leave a legacy on the wider world.  Our curriculum ensures we are teaching for long-term memory. Our key purpose is to build semantic memory to pass on the knowledge built up over years.  Each term, there is a different 'driver' subject as well as other 'enhancer' subjects: our key driver in the autumn term is history, in the spring term, it's geography followed by the arts in the summer term.

In Year 6, we continue to develop our pupils’ independence, resilience and aspirations; knowledge and understanding of the wider world and vocabulary through our “WAVE“ Curriculum Principles (Wider World, Aspiration, Vocabulary and Enjoyment).  

Autumn Term Enquiry Question:  Is Conflict Ever Justified?

In history, we will be learning about key events during WW1 and WW2 as well as comparing some significant figures during this time. As historians, we will learn how to link reliable sources of information and devise and ask relevant questions.  We will   explore many of the key events of both world wars and we will begin to understand the impact and significance of some of these such as the Blitz and Holocaust.  We will also learn about current conflict in the world and regularly revisit our enquiry question to decide whether conflict is ever justified.

In art, we will be working on creating a conflict resolution area in the playground where we will be applying our knowledge of proportion, perspective and space. We will use the work of Henry Moore to inspire our ideas.

In geography, we will be locating a range of countries using an atlas and digital computer mapping.  We will also learn about the importance of industrial areas and ports.

Key Text:

Spring Term Enquiry Question:  Are our futures within our control?

In geography we will be exploring a range of human and physical geographical features around the world. We will be contrasting various locations from different socio-economic backgrounds and will be comparing the features of developed and developing nations. We’ll explore the lives of refugees, migrants and fair trade farmers to do this. We will constantly revisit our enquiry question to decide whether our futures are within our control.

In science, we will be learning about evolution and inheritance, delving into the work of Charles Darwin and learning about adaptation.

Key Text:

Summer Term Enquiry Question: Why leave a legacy?

This term’s enquiry focuses on the creative arts. 

At the start of the term, we will be creating art work in the style of Banksy.   Using inspiration from artist Fred Eerdekens, we will create wire words linked to our legacy.  This will provide inspiration to younger children for years to come.  Later in the term, we will be looking at Frida Kahlo’s work to inspire our own self portraits.  We will be enhancing our art enquiry with history where we will focus on the legacy left by miners as well as the legacy left by the Mayan  civilisation.  We will create art work inspired by Henry Moore and towards the end of the term, we will create a Mayan sculpture using clay. 

Key Text: