Oak Class 2026 - 2027

WELCOME TO OAK

Class teacher - Miss J Graves

Mrs Shapland and Mrs Rowland teach Friday afternoon

Learning Support Assistants - Mrs K Shapland and Mrs V Walker

Oak class is the final chapter in your journey at Whitegate. In Oak you will have every opportunity to shine and demonstrate just how much you have grown along your Whitegate journey. You are the role models that everyone else in the school community looks to. It is you who we are looking to for how to treat each other as we would wish to be treated. I am excited for all that is in store for us this year! It will be a year of challenges and successes. A year where, together, we can strive to be the very best we can be to reach the God-given potential that we all have. I look forward to growing our confidence, maturity and most importantly, wisdom.

This term, our curriculum is designed to help children build their knowledge, creativity and confidence across all subjects.

History

In history, we will investigate the influence of the Maya Civilisation. This will be a driver for several other projects in other subjects. We will explore who the May were; what life was like for them, what inventions/discoveries can be accredited to them and culminate in using this to hypothesise why the civilisation sae a dramatic decline. Children will examine evidence from the past, including artefacts, maps and written sources. They will develop their understanding of chronology and learn about the legacy of the May civilisation.

Geography

In geography, we will investigate the location and topography of North and Central America and how this impacts climate and living conditions.

In RE, we will explore people of faith and work to develop an understanding of what it means to be a person of faith. Briefly looking at four main world religions to begin. We will then quickly zoom in on the person of Ghandi and aspects of the Christian Faith. Additionally, during inter-faith week, we will focus on Islam, developing a knowledge of and mutual respect and tolerance of other religions.

Art

In Art, we will be looking at the mechanics of shadow puppets, to create our own that will feature as characters in the creation of our own Mayan myths.

Science

In Science, we will be looking at forces (and using knowledge about levers and pulleys in our art project). We will move on to properties of materials and changes in materials and also engaging in the Cabbage workshop.

Computing

In computing, we will further develop pupils’ sequencing and coding skills using Scratch. They will use the idea of their shadow puppet and myth to learn how to create and sequence a visual story, using commands and selection to make their programs work effectively. Children will also apply word processing skills to increase their knowledge of manipulating aspects of powerpoint and general understanding of refining searches and finding reliable data/information. This unit will build confidence in programming, logical thinking, creativity and problem solving and general but safe use of the internet.

PE days will be Mondays and Wednesdays. Please can children come into school on those days already dressed in their PE kits.

In PE, children will develop their skills in golf, focusing on coordination, control and accuracy in both sports.. We will also develop gymnastics and fundamental movement skills, building strength, balance, agility and confidence.

PSHE

In PSHE, our learning will cover important themes including the Rule of Law, democracy, relationships, road safety, online safety, road safety and more. We will explore spirituality, Harvest, mental health and wellbeing, British Values and the importance of respectful relationships. Through No Outsiders and Anti-Bullying Week, children will develop their understanding of inclusion, equality and respect for others.

One Unselfish Act

As part of One Unselfish Act, children will think about how they can be courageous advocates by carrying out an unselfish act to help others. Oak will focus on doing this through running the Macmillan Coffee Morning and the Autumn Fair.

One Big Problem

For One Big Problem, we will explore the issue of disagreement, asking, 'How do we disagree well?' Children will begin this foundation in most lessons by using the 'Agree, Build, Challenge' oracy prompts, building up to discussion and debate regarding this topic (following sessions on the Maya's City States and trading).

One Moment To Shine

During 'One Moment to Shine', children will be performing at Chester Cathedral.

Courageous Advocate

Our Courageous Advocate will be John Cadbury, a Quaker, anti-slavery advocate and well-known founder of our favourite chocolate, Cadbury's.

English

In English, we will use several texts (The Great Kapok Tree, The Rainmakers, The Chocolate Tree, The Hero Twins) alongside other extracts from fiction and non-fiction, to inspire descriptive, informative and persuasive writing. Children will develop their use of metaphorical language, dialogue, tenses and various sentence types. They will also learn how to craft texts carefully to ensure chosen language and structure reflects mood and tone; builds tension; describes characters and settings and is persuasive (when appropriate).

Reading

Reading is at the heart of successful learning and we will immerse ourselves in a range of quality texts over the course of the year. As Reading is a priority across all subjects, we regularly use a range of fiction and non-fiction texts in our guided and whole-class Reading lessons to help inform richer learning across the curriculum. In addition to this cross-curricular learning, a single day might also see us exploring the motivations of characters in our gripping class novels or simply allowing children time to develop a love of reading through our provision of high-quality fiction books. Wherever and whenever possible, we will prioritise developing the skills and positive attitudes towards Reading that will enable Oak class to become confident, informed and engaged learners.

Home reading expectations are detailed below, but should your child express an interest in a particular author, series or genre, please let us know and we would be delighted to order books from our library partners free of charge. Visits to your local library are also encouraged!

Grammar and punctuation.

We will aim to revise and enhance existing knowledge, whilst also building proficiency and confidence in applying it in their own texts as well as adding to that knowledge. All pupils will focus on gaining greater accuracy in the basics: full-stops, capital letters, subject-verb agreement and accurate main clauses through our 'Grammar Gurus' grammar time during morning work. Additionally, Year 5 will concentrate on relative clauses, modal verbs, adverbs of possibility and expanded noun phrases to add precision and detail to their texts. We will explore how to vary sentence length and structure; use subordinate clauses effectively and choose vocabulary for impact. Children will practise using commas to clarify meaning, brackets, dashes and commas for parenthesis, as well as punctuation for direct speech. They will also develop their understanding of cohesion within and between paragraphs, formal and informal language, and the accurate use of tense and Standard English. Year 6 will concentrate on sentence ingredients (subject, object, verb); tenses: subjunctive and active/passive voice; upscaling fronted adverbials; clarifying technical vocabulary and giving precise information; using two different narrators; synonyms/antonyms; ellipsis, hyphen and colons. Standard English will be reminded and taught with a view to the recognition of levels of formality in their written work.

Mathematics

As a reminder, Mr. Fowles will be teaching the core mathematics component. Oak Class will focus on place value, addition and subtraction. They will develop pupils’ understanding of the value of digits in numbers, including the importance of each place within larger numbers. Children will compare, order and round numbers and use practical resources, pictorial representations and written methods to support their understanding. They will develop fluency with mental and formal addition and subtraction strategies, including exchanging where necessary. Lessons will emphasise reasoning and problem solving, enabling pupils to explain their thinking, identify efficient methods, check their answers and apply their knowledge in different contexts.

Homework

Please ensure your child reads at home at least 4 times per week for 15-20 minutes. In Years 5 and 6, they are expected to record their own reading in their Home – School contact books; parents just need to sign each time.

TT Rockstars should be practised at least 3 times per week also for a minimum of 5 minutes each time.

For Year 6, Mental Maths will be sent home twice per week; both sheets will be given out on Friday. The first sheet will be due on Wednesday and the second on Friday.

Both Year 5 and Year 6 will also have a weekly SPaG sheet. This will be given out on Friday and is to be returned the following Wednesday.

All Oak children will be given their own personal spelling lists to practise at home. These are linked to the statutory spelling lists for each year group available at the bottom of this page. There will also be a statutory spelling list for each half term: these will be different for Year 5 and Year 6.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me using the Home-School book We love to celebrate any out of school learning or achievements by our children so please email to the office or send in anything your child would like to share with us.

Our proposed timetable is below.

Oak Timetable 2026.png