We are absolutely delighted to welcome both parents and children as they begin this exciting new chapter in Key Stage 2. Year 3 marks the start of a wonderful learning journey, and we are so looking forward to guiding the children as they grow in confidence, independence and curiosity.

As teachers, we are excited to take the children on a learning adventure filled with discovery, challenge and creativity. We will be encouraging them to ask questions, explore new ideas and develop a love of learning across all areas of the curriculum.

The Year 3 team consists of Mrs Hopkins (3H) and Miss Wilson (3W), who will be supported by Miss Brotherhood and Miss Rahma. Together, we are committed to creating a positive, nurturing and inspiring environment where every child can thrive.

Below, you will find an overview of the different and exciting topics the children will be learning about throughout the year, organised by subject and term. We hope this gives you a glimpse into the fantastic experiences ahead!

We can’t wait to get started on this journey together.

English

English is at the heart of our learning journey, and we are passionate about developing confident, enthusiastic readers and writers. Our teaching follows the full National Curriculum for English, ensuring children build strong skills in reading, writing, spoken language, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

We place high-quality “spine texts” at the centre of our English curriculum to inspire and engage the children. This year, these include Stone Age Boy, The Selfish Giant, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Iron Man and The Street Beneath Our Feet, The Promise alongside a range of other carefully chosen texts. These books provide rich opportunities for children to explore vocabulary, develop comprehension skills and write for a variety of purposes and audiences.

In reading, children will develop fluency, accuracy and expression, while learning to understand and discuss what they read. They will be taught to retrieve information, make predictions, infer characters’ thoughts and feelings, and explain the meaning of words in context. We will also foster a love of independent reading, encouraging children to explore a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

In writing, children will learn to plan, draft, edit and improve their work across a range of genres, including stories, non-chronological reports, instructions, and persuasive writing. They will build their use of ambitious vocabulary and varied sentence structures, while learning to organise their ideas into clear paragraphs. Grammar and punctuation teaching will include the use of conjunctions, adverbs, prepositions, inverted commas for direct speech, and accurate use of tense and sentence structure.

Spelling is taught regularly, focusing on Year 3 statutory word lists and spelling patterns, while handwriting continues to develop in consistency and fluency.

Spoken language is woven throughout all lessons, with opportunities for drama, discussion and performance. This supports children in articulating their ideas clearly and confidently.

We also celebrate a dedicated Poetry Week, where children explore, perform and write their own poems, helping them to develop a deeper appreciation of language and rhythm.

Through this rich and varied English curriculum, we aim to nurture a lifelong love of reading and writing, equipping children with the skills and confidence they need to succeed across the curriculum and beyond.

Maths

Pupils continue to develop their understanding of key mathematical concepts, building on what they have learnt in previous years. They will deepen their knowledge through problem solving, reasoning and practical activities, helping them to become more confident and independent learners. A strong emphasis is placed on the use of concrete resources and manipulatives, enabling children to explore mathematical ideas in a hands-on and meaningful way. By using physical objects such as counters, place value equipment and arrays, pupils are supported in visualising abstract concepts, which strengthens their understanding and builds confidence.

Teaching is carefully adapted to meet the needs of all learners. Through adaptive teaching strategies, scaffolding is provided to support those who need additional guidance, while opportunities for challenge are embedded to encourage all children to think deeply and extend their learning. This ensures that every pupil can access the curriculum and make progress, regardless of their starting point. Questioning, modelling and guided practice are used effectively to support pupils in articulating their reasoning and making connections between different areas of mathematics.

These skills will be developed across a range of topics, which are taught throughout the year and build progressively on prior learning. As pupils grow in confidence, they are encouraged to apply their knowledge in a variety of contexts, fostering resilience, curiosity and a positive attitude towards mathematics.

Throughout the year, we will cover:

• Place value
• Addition and subtraction
• Multiplication and division
• Fractions
• Measurement (length, perimeter, mass and capacity)
• Money
• Time
• Shape
• Statistics                  

Science

Pupils develop their scientific knowledge and understanding through a range of engaging topics. They build on their curiosity about the world around them by asking questions, making observations and carrying out investigations, as well as learning about important scientists and their discoveries. All pupils are encouraged to think critically, understand scientific concepts and explain their ideas, helping them to become confident and inquisitive learners.

Throughout the year, we will cover:

Animals including humans

• Nutrition and a balanced diet
• Bones and muscles in the human body
• How skeletons support movement and protection

Key question: How do our bodies stay healthy and move?

Forces and magnets

• Forces as pushes and pulls
• Friction and movement
• Magnetic attraction and repulsion
• Magnetic and non-magnetic materials

Key question: How do forces affect how things move?

Rocks

• Types of rock (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic)
• Fossils and how they are formed
• Properties of rocks and soil formation

Key question: How are rocks and fossils formed?

Plants

• Parts of a plant and their functions
• What plants need to grow
• How water is transported
• Pollination and seed formation

Key question: How do plants grow and reproduce?

Light

• We need light to see
• Reflection and shadows
• How shadows are formed and change

Key question: How does light help us see things?

History

Pupils begin to develop their understanding of the past by exploring significant periods in history. They will learn about how people lived in different times, how life has changed over thousands of years, and compare different periods to identify similarities and differences. Through these topics, pupils will develop skills such as asking questions, examining evidence and understanding the impact of historical events.

Throughout the year, we will cover:

How did life change for the people of Britain living in the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age?

Enquiry Questions:

• How do artefacts inform us about prehistory in Britain?
• What was the lifestyle of the Palaeolithic people like?
• How did Palaeolithic and Mesolithic lifestyles differ?
• How much did life change between the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods in Stone Age Britain?
• Why did Neolithic people of the Stone Age start to farm if it may have made their lives harder?
• How have people explained Stonehenge since it was built?
• What was life like in Bronze Age Britain?
• What is so remarkable about Must Farm and what does it tell us about Bronze Age Britain?
• What was life like in Iron Age Britain?
• Which turning point within the Stone Age, Bronze Age or Iron Age changed Britain most?

What impact did the Romans have on Britain?

Enquiry Questions:

• When did the Romans invade Britain and why?
• Did the native Britons welcome or resist the Romans, and why?
• How did the Romans influence the culture of the people already in Britain?

Geography

We are passionate about inspiring young geographers who are curious about the world around them. Through engaging, enquiry-based learning, children develop an understanding of places, people and environments. We aim to nurture confident learners who ask questions, think critically and make connections about our ever-changing world.

Throughout the year, we will cover:

• The UK – Who are we?
  Children explore the countries, cities and key human and physical features of the UK, developing their understanding of identity and place.
• Settlements – Where do people live and why?
  Pupils investigate different types of settlements and the reasons people choose to live there.
• Land use – How diverse are local & UK landscapes?
  Children learn how land is used across the UK, comparing rural and urban environments.
• Local area – How is it changing?
  Pupils study changes in their local area over time, considering how and why these changes occur.
• Mountains & Volcanoes (and Earthquakes) – What, where & why?
  Children explore key physical geography, including how mountains and volcanoes are formed and where they are found.

PSHE

Our PSHE curriculum supports children’s personal, social and emotional development across the year. It equips pupils with the knowledge and skills to stay safe, build positive relationships and understand their place in the wider world. Through engaging and meaningful learning, PSHE plays a vital role in helping children become confident, respectful and responsible individuals.

Throughout the year, we will cover:

Me and My Relationships: Pupils develop positive relationships, learning to resolve conflict, value friendship and understand the importance of empathy, cooperation and communication.

Valuing Difference: Children explore diversity within families, friendships and communities, learning to respect differences and challenge stereotypes.

Keeping Safe: Pupils learn to identify risks, make safe choices and understand how to seek help, including awareness of substances and online safety.

Rights and Respect: Children explore responsibilities, community roles, money management and caring for the environment.

Being My Best: Pupils focus on healthy lifestyles, resilience, teamwork and recognising their strengths.

Growing and Changing: Children learn about personal boundaries, body changes, relationships and basic first aid.

ART

Throughout the year, pupils explore a range of art topics inspired by different artists. They study the artists and their work, learning to discuss what they see in detail. Pupils are encouraged to share their opinions about artwork, explaining what they like or dislike and giving reasons for their views. Pupils then develop their own creative pieces, experimenting with similar materials and techniques. This helps them build confidence, creativity and an understanding of different artistic styles.

Throughout the year, pupils will cover:

• Drawing – inspired by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci
• Form – inspired by Edgar Degas
• Colour – inspired by Georges Seurat

RE

Pupils learn about different religions and worldviews, exploring key beliefs, stories and celebrations. They develop their understanding of how faith influences the way people live and behave. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, discuss ideas and share their own views while listening respectfully to others. They also reflect on what they have learnt and begin to make links between different beliefs and their own experiences.

Throughout the year, pupils will cover:

• Creation
• Festivals
• Incarnation
• Islam
• Salvation
• People of God
• Sikhism

PE

Pupils take part in a wide range of physical activities designed to develop their movement skills, coordination and confidence. They learn to work individually and as part of a team, building resilience, cooperation and fair play. Pupils also develop their understanding of how exercise supports a healthy and active lifestyle.

Pupils should come to school wearing their correct PE kit on PE days, ensuring they are prepared to take part safely and fully in all activities.

Throughout the year, pupils will cover:

• Basketball
• Dance
• Gymnastics
• Cricket
• Tennis
• Hockey
• Athletics
• Swimming

Computing

Pupils develop their understanding of how computers and digital systems work, alongside building their programming and creative media skills. They learn to think logically, solve problems and use technology safely and responsibly.

Throughout the year, pupils will cover:

• Connecting Computers: Pupils explore how digital devices function, identifying inputs and outputs, and understanding how devices connect within networks. They learn how information is shared and the role of components such as switches and servers.
• Stop-frame Animation: Children create simple animations by sequencing images, planning storyboards and understanding how small changes between frames create movement.
• Programming – Sequencing Sounds (Scratch): Pupils use Scratch to create programs, learning how to build and order commands, control sprites and combine sounds effectively.
• Programming – Events and Actions: Children develop programs by linking actions to events, testing, debugging and improving their designs, including creating interactive projects such as simple games.
• Online Safety: Pupils learn how to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly, including protecting personal information, recognising risks online and knowing how to seek help if they feel unsafe.