St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School
We act with love, build our faith and grow as people
Year 5
Meet the Teacher Presentation 2025-2026
Year 5 Long Term Planning Map
Recommended Reads
Recommended reading list for Year 5: 
Lit in Colour
Recommended book list of books by authors of colour
Penguin Books and Lit in Colour state that:
Books create belonging. They help us see each other and understand one another. They shine a light on the world.
It’s vital that the books we read in our formative years reflect the rich diversity of the society we live in.
Here at St. Margaret Clitherow, we have a diverse school community - 55.7% of our school children are from a minority ethnic background. We therefore think it is important that children have access to books that reflect who they are. Attached is a list of recommended reads put together by Penguin Books. You can read the research behind the inclusion of books by authors of colour here:https:// https://www.penguin.co.uk/lit-in-colour/parents-and-supporters
2023 KS2 Lit in Colour Book List
Newsletter 26/09/25
We have had such a busy and productive start to the term, and it has been wonderful getting to know the children as they have settled in so well!
In English, our SPaG focus has been on collective and partitive nouns, and the children have enjoyed spotting these in texts and creating their own examples. We are now moving on to verbs, with a particular focus on phrasal verbs as well as regular and irregular forms. Alongside this, the children have been developing their writing skills by applying these grammar points in short descriptive passages.
In Maths, we have been working on place value, and the children are becoming experts at rounding numbers from 10 all the way up to 1,000,000! They have been practising reading, writing, ordering, and comparing large numbers, which has helped them gain a strong sense of number. This solid foundation will support them as we move on to problem-solving and reasoning tasks where they can apply these skills in real-life contexts.
Our Science lessons have taken us into space! We have been learning about the planets in our solar system and comparing their size, distance, and unique features. The children carried out investigations with shadows to prove that the Earth is spherical. Using Eratosthenes’ technique, we discovered how shadows grow longer and shorter depending on the time of day and how this provides evidence of a round Earth. We also discussed how scientists use observations and measurements to make sense of our world, and the children were fascinated to see how an experiment from over 2,000 years ago is still relevant today.
We have started our Creation unit in RE with a fun and thoughtful hot-seating activity. The children had the chance to take on the roles of Adam and Eve, answering questions about what life was like on Earth, the challenges of temptation, and the meaning of scripture. We reflected on how God gave humanity responsibility for creation and what this means for us today.
In Art, we have been exploring chromatic techniques and studying the work of various artists to inspire our own portraits. The children have been learning how to mix primary colours to create a wide range of shades, including realistic skin tones.
Finally, Year 5 have voted for their new School Council representatives. We were treated to some inspiring speeches from children who shared their ideas on how to make positive changes in our school, including a focus on sustainability and inclusion!
It has truly been a wonderful start to the year, and we are excited to see all the fantastic learning and growth still to come.
