Autumn Term 2025

Maths

Year 3 will start by focusing on place value this term; representing, partitioning, comparing and ordering numbers up to 1,000. This understanding will support their learning when adding and subtracting across a 10 and 100. Year 3 will also start to look at formal written methods to add and subtract numbers with and without exchanges, using column method. Finally, they will begin their multiplication and division unit, developing their use of arrays to support their 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10 times table and division facts.

Year 4 will start by focusing on place value this term; representing, partitioning, comparing and ordering numbers up to 10,000. The children will start to develop the skill of rounding to the nearest 10, 100 and 1,000. This learning will support their understanding when adding and subtracting across a 10, 100 and 1,000. Year 4 will develop their skills of adding and subtracting with one or more exchanges using the formal written column method. Finally, the children will begin their multiplication and division unit, learning multiplication and division facts for the 3, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12 times tables.

English

Willows will be looking at a variety of texts, across the Autumn term to develop their writing in English. The first text they will be exploring is The Tin Forest, where they will be developing their vocabulary to enhance their descriptions around a setting inspired by the book. Their next text will focus on imagery within poetry. They will be using the book The Night Box, to inspire their own poetry around the theme of darkness.

After half term, the children will be reading We Travel So Far, in which they will inform and engage the reader by creating a class book of animal migration journeys, presented in the style of the text driver. The final text for the Autumn term is The Lost Happy Endings, where the children will write their own ending to the story, in the form of a narrative. The children will make links to fairy tale texts such as Little Red Riding Hood, exploring the themes of fear and difference throughout.

Geography

In Geography this term, the children will be investigating the question, who lives in Antarctica? They will be learning about latitude and longitude, considering how this links to climate. The children will contemplate the tilt of the Earth and how this impacts the Antarctic circle and global temperatures. They will explore the physical features of a polar region and how humans have adapted to working there, taking into account that there is no permanent population. They will study Shackleton’s expedition before planning their own, using mapping skills they have developed so far.

History

In History, Willows will be studying The Stone, Bronze and Iron Age. The children will learn to analyse Palaeolithic cave paintings and how these give historians insight into how the people lived in this period. Willows will be collecting information on how our ancient ancestors from the Neolithic period would farm, hunt, build settlements and communicate. To conclude their enquiry, the children will be creating a tourist brochure to entice people to sign up for their inaugural trip back to the Stone/Bronze/Iron Age. They will be considering the positive and interesting aspects of the time period, the sites they might see, and the activities they will be able to try. This activity supports the children in making connections between how we live today, and how our ancestors lived all those years ago.

Art

In art this term, the children will be developing their skills in making observation drawings around Buildings and Architecture in Amport and the world. They will begin to add detail to their sketches, by adapting and applying lines to achieve shapes, patterns and textures. Willows will also have the opportunity to create a block print of a building in polystyrene, experimenting with line to achieve different shapes and patterns. The children will talk about their print, and the works of other artists, explaining how they might improve upon or change their artistic choices.

Science

This term in science, the children will be investigating the big question what is a magnet? Across the unit, Willows will conduct various investigations to support their substantive knowledge:

· Magnets exert attractive forces on some metals

· Magnetic forces work through other materials including air, so magnets don't need to be touching to exert their force. It is called a non-contact force.

· Each end of a magnet is called a pole, opposite poles are called north and south. 

· Magnets exert attractive forces on each other when the poles facing each other are north and south (opposites). 

· Magnets exert repulsive forces on each other when the poles facing each other are the same.

· Each end of a magnet is called a pole, opposite poles are called north and south. 

· Magnets exert attractive forces on each other when the poles facing each other are north and south (opposites). 

· Magnets exert repulsive forces on each other when the poles facing each other are the same.

Music

In music this term, Willows will learn to rap to the song Chilled out Clap Rap, creating clapping patterns and dynamic contrast. They will be performing crotchet and quaver actions on the beat and adapting these when the speed of the music changes. The children will then transfer these clapping patterns to tuned instruments as a group.

After half term, Willows will be learning a fast, folk-rock style with a driving rhythm, reminiscent of the style of Mumford and Sons. With a simple verse/chorus structure and easy to follow chord pattern, the song introduces the new chord G major to previously learnt chords C, F, and A minor. During the unit, the children will learn to sing and play the song, develop technical skills on tuned percussion, and experience playing in a class band. Playing and singing activity is supported by listening to range of music in a folk and folk-rock style, comparing and contrasting different artists’ styles.

RE

This term in RE, Willows will be exploring the key concept of Creation in both Christianity and Hinduism. They will deepen their understanding of the Christian Creation story by answering the key question – what do Christians learn from the creation story? In Term 2, the children will be exploring the key concept of Angels. The children will be finding out the role of the Angel in the Christmas story. They will deepen their understanding of this concept through learning about the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).