Year 6 Staff:

Welcome to Year 6

Welcome to Year 6, your child’s final year of Key Stage 2. This is a milestone year in every pupil’s education, but at Aston Fields Middle School we take care to ensure that it is not defined solely by the Key Stage 2 assessments. Instead, we aim to provide a rich, balanced experience that enables pupils to flourish both academically and personally.

A highlight of the year is the three-day residential trip to Boreatton Park, the largest PGL centre in the UK. This much-anticipated experience remains a treasured memory for many pupils long after they leave Year 6. The residential gives children the chance to develop resilience, perseverance and teamwork skills, while also building confidence and lasting friendships, all in a setting that is filled with fun and adventure. Character Education continues to underpin everything we do in Year 6. Just as in Year 5, pupils are supported to develop not only their knowledge and skills, but also the personal qualities that prepare them for the challenges of the future.

We look forward to working with you and your child during this important year, celebrating their achievements and supporting their growth every step of the way.

Homework

In Year 6, pupils are set regular homework in English and Maths, as well as occasional tasks in Science, History and Geography.

English: Pupils receive weekly homework, which may be a grammar and punctuation activity or a comprehension task designed to consolidate prior learning. In addition, pupils complete online activities through Spelling Shed and Lexia to strengthen their knowledge of spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and to extend their reading comprehension skills. Log-in details for these platforms are kept in homework diaries. We also expect pupils to read their Renaissance book for at least 20 minutes each evening. Parents and carers can support this by asking retrieval and inference questions linked to their child’s current book.

Mathematics: Pupils are given a weekly task that either revises prior learning or prepares them for new topics. Alongside this, pupils are encouraged to practise their times tables up to 12 × 12. Teachers may also set online activities through platforms such as Times Table Rockstars, Sumdog, Mathletics or MyMaths. Log-in details for these sites are recorded in homework diaries.

Other subjects: From time to time, homework may also be set in Science or the Humanities. This could take the form of a one-off piece of work or contribute to a longer project.

To support all pupils, a weekly Homework Club is available, where children can complete written or online work with guidance from a member of staff.

PGL Residential

The PGL residential is a real highlight of Year 6. Taking place in late October, this trip provides pupils with an invaluable opportunity to bond with one another and to build strong relationships with the Year 6 staff. Over the three days, pupils challenge themselves, discover new strengths, and, most importantly, create memories that last a lifetime, all whilst having enormous fun.

Below is an account of last year’s trip written by some current Year 7 pupils.

Day 1

SATS

Year 6 marks the completion of your child’s journey through Key Stage 2, culminating in the SATs assessments in May. At Aston Fields Middle School, we pride ourselves on maintaining the highest academic standards, and pupils are carefully and thoroughly prepared for these end-of-key-stage tests.

Equally important to us is ensuring that pupils feel supported rather than pressured. We do not narrow the curriculum, and every child continues to enjoy the full breadth of subjects throughout their time in Year 6.

Most pupils approach the SATs with confidence, but if your child feels anxious at any stage, we encourage them to speak with their teachers. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact us directly so that we can provide reassurance and practical support.