Year 5
Welcome to Our Lady of the Rosary Year 5!
Year 5 is a transformative year where pupils grow in confidence, independence, and maturity as learners. As one of the oldest classes in the school, children begin to take on greater responsibility and develop the skills needed to think critically, work collaboratively, and engage deeply with a rich and challenging curriculum. We believe every child has God-given gifts, and in Year 5 we help them use these gifts with purpose, curiosity, and integrity.
Our Learning Environment
The Year 5 classroom is an orderly, purposeful space where pupils are encouraged to manage their learning with increasing independence. Clear routines help children stay organised and prepared for more demanding study, while the learning environment supports sustained concentration, thoughtful discussion, and high-quality outcomes. Adults guide pupils through explanation, dialogue, and modelling that encourage deeper thinking and confident participation. The classroom atmosphere promotes respect, responsibility, and a commitment to doing one’s best.
How We Support Learning
Year 5 follows an ambitious, carefully structured curriculum that builds on previous learning while introducing pupils to more sophisticated concepts. Lessons help children make meaningful connections, apply their knowledge in new contexts, and develop strong subject understanding across the curriculum.
Our curriculum includes:
- White Rose Maths, supporting pupils in developing secure understanding of fractions, decimals, percentages, multi-step reasoning, measure, and geometry.
- No Nonsense Spelling, extending children’s understanding of morphology, etymology, and spelling patterns to support accurate, confident writing.
- Letter-join handwriting, promoting fluent, legible, and consistent handwriting expected in upper Key Stage 2.
- A broad and rich subject offer, including science, history, geography, art, design technology, computing, music, PE, and Spanish.
- Opportunities for extended writing, independent research, investigation, practical problem-solving, debate, and presentation.
We make purposeful use of SOLO taxonomy in Year 5 to support higher-order thinking. Pupils learn to recognise the progression from basic ideas to more complex understanding and are encouraged to justify, evaluate, and reflect on their thinking with increasing confidence.
Support is targeted and responsive, ensuring every child can access learning, feel successful, and move forward securely.
Personal, Social, and Emotional Development
Year 5 is a year of significant personal growth. Pupils learn to show leadership, manage responsibilities, and work collaboratively in more mature ways. Staff help children navigate challenges, build self-confidence, and develop empathy and respect for others. As pupils prepare for the transition to Year 6, they grow in independence, self-awareness, and resilience.
Religious Education in Year 5
RE in Year 5 offers opportunities for deeper scriptural study, thoughtful discussion, and reflection on the teachings of Jesus. Pupils explore themes such as discipleship, forgiveness, justice, and the mission of the Church, using these as foundations for understanding how faith guides our lives. Through prayer, reflection, and study of the liturgical year, children deepen their understanding of Catholic life and develop their ability to apply Gospel values to everyday choices.
Partnership With Parents and Carers
Strong communication with families continues to be central to our approach. Weekly Google Classroom updates outline the learning focus for the week, key vocabulary, and helpful ways to support learning at home. These updates help families feel informed, connected, and confident in supporting their child’s progress.
We welcome ongoing dialogue with parents and carers and offer opportunities to celebrate children’s achievements throughout the year.
Faith Life in Year 5
Faith is an integral part of daily life in Year 5. Pupils take part in regular prayer, reflection, and class worship, deepening their relationship with God and their understanding of their role in the school’s Catholic community. They participate in whole-school liturgies, charitable projects, and acts of service, reflecting on how Gospel values can shape their attitudes and actions.
A memorable highlight of Year 5 is the opportunity to join the school sleepover, a fundraising event that supports the work of The Passage Westminster. This experience helps pupils understand the importance of compassion, social responsibility, and standing in solidarity with those who are vulnerable. It is a powerful way for children to live out the call to serve others.
A Place to Grow
Year 5 is a year of widening horizons, deeper thinking, and growing independence. Children extend their knowledge across all subjects while strengthening the skills they will need for Year 6 and beyond. Our aim is for every child to leave Year 5 feeling confident, motivated, and prepared for the final stage of their primary school journey.
White Rose - resources for parents/carers
Year 5 'Meet the Teacher' Presentation
Our Autumn Curriculum Newsletter