Welcome to Year 3/4

Years 3 and 4 are exciting years as children begin their journey through Key Stage 2. During these two years, we encourage children to become increasingly confident, independent and responsible learners.

Children continue to develop their reading, writing and mathematical skills while exploring a broad and exciting curriculum across science, history, geography, art, design and technology, computing, music, PE, French and Religious Education.

We encourage children to ask questions, challenge themselves, work collaboratively and take pride in everything they do.

This page contains useful information about Year 3/4, what we are learning and ways you can support your child at home.

Meet the Year 3/4 Team

Teachers

Mrs Woodhouse
Mr Dewey
Mrs May
Mrs Chartres

Support Staff

Mrs Mugnini
Miss Williams

Our Class Saints

All classes in our school have a class saint.

Our class saints in Year 3/4 are:

St Anthony
St Joseph
St David

Throughout the year, children will learn more about their class saint and how their example can inspire us in our own lives.

Useful Information

PE

Our PE day is Thursday.

Children should come to school wearing their school PE kit and will remain in their PE kit for the day.

Some PE lessons will take place outdoors, so children should wear suitable clothing during colder weather.

We also recommend keeping a spare pair of socks in your child's bag during the winter months.

Swimming takes place during the summer term.

Further information about swimming will be shared with parents nearer the time.

Forest School

Children in Year 3/4 have opportunities to take part in Forest School throughout the year.

Forest School runs on a termly basis, with children spending a full day learning in our Forest School area.

These days provide opportunities for children to develop independence, teamwork, resilience and practical outdoor skills.

Dates and further information will be shared with parents through ClassDojo.

Reading

Reading continues to be an extremely important part of learning in Key Stage 2.

Children will read regularly in school and explore a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

As children become increasingly fluent readers, we place greater emphasis on developing their understanding of what they have read. Children will discuss vocabulary, retrieve information, make predictions, summarise ideas and begin to explain their answers using evidence from a text.

Please encourage your child to read regularly at home and record their reading in their Home/School Reading Record.

Reading records should be brought into school every Monday.

Talking about books is just as valuable as reading them. You might ask your child:

• What has happened so far?

• Why do you think the character behaved that way?

• What do you think will happen next?

• Can you summarise what you have read?

• What does this word mean in this sentence?

• What evidence can you find in the text?

• Would you recommend this book? Why?

Suggested reading lists for Years 3 and 4 can be found further down this page.

Spelling and Handwriting

Children continue to develop their spelling throughout Years 3 and 4.

They will learn a range of spelling patterns and rules alongside the statutory words expected by the end of Year 4.

Children are encouraged to apply their spelling knowledge independently across all areas of the curriculum.

Handwriting also continues to be an important focus. Children will work towards developing handwriting that is fluent, consistent and increasingly joined.

Weekly spelling and handwriting activities may be sent home to support this learning.

Times Tables

Developing quick and accurate recall of multiplication and division facts is an important part of maths in Years 3 and 4.

Children will practise their times tables regularly in school and we strongly encourage regular practice at home.

A Times Table Challenge takes place each Thursday, with practice activities provided for children to complete at home.

By the end of Year 4, children are expected to know all multiplication tables up to 12 × 12 and the related division facts.

Year 4 children also complete the national Multiplication Tables Check during the summer term.

The aim is not simply to remember answers but to develop fast, confident recall which children can use when solving more complex mathematical problems.

Homework and Learning at Home

Homework is set through ClassDojo every Friday and should be completed by the following Wednesday.

Homework may include:

• MyMaths activities

• reading comprehension

• spelling practice

• handwriting

• times-table practice

• activities linked to current classroom learning

MyMaths login details are provided to children and should be kept somewhere safe as they will be needed throughout the school year.

Regular reading and times-table practice remain two of the most valuable ways you can support your child at home.

Sacramental Preparation

During Year 3, children have the opportunity to prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

Preparation takes place in partnership between school, families and our parish communities.

Information about meetings, preparation and important dates will be shared directly with Year 3 families throughout the year.

What We Are Learning

Our Two-Year Curriculum

As Years 3 and 4 are taught as mixed-age classes, we follow a two-year rolling curriculum.

The curriculum is organised into Cycle A and Cycle B. This ensures that children experience the full National Curriculum during their time in Years 3 and 4 without repeating the same topics each year.

During the 2026–2027 academic year, we are following Cycle A.

The full Cycle A curriculum plan can be viewed using the link further down this page.

Autumn Term 2026 – Cycle A

During the autumn term, children will settle into their new classes and begin developing the independence and organisational skills expected in Key Stage 2.

English

In English, children will explore high-quality texts through our Pathways to Write programme.

They will develop their ability to write for a range of different purposes and audiences.

Throughout the term, we will focus on developing:

• sentence structure

• accurate punctuation

• ambitious vocabulary

• paragraphing

• spelling

• handwriting

• editing and improving our own writing

Children will also continue developing their reading comprehension and learn to support their answers using evidence from a text.

Maths

In maths, children will develop their understanding of number and place value before applying this knowledge to increasingly complex calculations.

Children will work on:

• place value

• addition and subtraction

• multiplication and division

• mathematical reasoning

• problem solving

Practical equipment, diagrams and mathematical representations will be used to help children develop a secure understanding before moving towards more abstract calculations.

Times-table fluency will be practised regularly.

Science

Our Cycle A science curriculum develops children's ability to work scientifically while building their knowledge of the world around them.

Children will ask questions, make predictions, carry out practical investigations, record findings and use scientific vocabulary to explain what they have discovered.

One of our Cycle A areas of learning explores states of matter, including solids, liquids and gases and how materials can change between different states.

Humanities

Across our history and geography curriculum, children will develop their understanding of chronology, places, people and significant events.

They will use maps, atlases, photographs, artefacts and historical sources to investigate the world around them.

As part of Cycle A, children explore geographical processes including volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis, developing their understanding of how the Earth changes and the impact these events can have on people and places.

Religious Education

Our Religious Education follows The Vine and the Branches curriculum.

Children will explore scripture, Catholic teaching, prayer and worship while making connections between their learning, their own lives and the wider world.

Spring Term 2027 – Cycle A

During the spring term, children will continue building on their autumn learning and take increasing responsibility for organising their work and completing tasks independently.

English

Children will continue using high-quality texts as inspiration for their reading and writing.

They will produce writing for a range of purposes and continue developing:

• expanded noun phrases

• varied sentence structures

• conjunctions

• adverbs

• accurate punctuation

• paragraphs

• editing and proofreading skills

Children will be encouraged to make increasingly ambitious vocabulary choices and explain the effect of particular words and phrases when reading.

Maths

In maths, children will continue developing their multiplication and division skills before applying their number knowledge across other areas of mathematics.

Learning across Years 3 and 4 includes areas such as:

• multiplication and division

• length and perimeter

• fractions

• measurement

• reasoning and problem solving

Times-table practice will continue throughout the term.

Science

Children will continue developing their scientific knowledge through practical investigations and careful observation.

As part of our Cycle A learning, children explore living things and their habitats.

They will consider how living things can be grouped and classified and explore how environments can change and affect the plants and animals that live within them.

History and Geography

Children will continue developing their historical and geographical enquiry skills.

They will learn to ask thoughtful questions, use different sources of evidence and identify similarities and differences between periods, people and places.

Children will also continue developing their map-reading skills and geographical vocabulary.

Computing

In computing, children will develop their understanding of computer systems, digital information and programming.

They will learn how to use technology safely and responsibly and continue developing their understanding of online safety.

Religious Education

Children will continue following The Vine and the Branches curriculum.

They will explore important events within the life of Jesus and the Church and consider how Catholic teaching influences the choices we make.

Summer Term 2027 – Cycle A

During the summer term, children will bring together many of the skills they have developed throughout the year.

Year 4 children will also begin preparing for their transition into Year 5 while Year 3 children prepare for their second year within the Year 3/4 phase.

English

Children will continue developing confidence and independence as readers and writers.

They will plan, draft, edit and improve their writing and apply the grammar, punctuation and spelling skills they have learnt throughout the year.

Children will write for different audiences and purposes and increasingly make independent decisions about vocabulary, sentence structure and organisation.

Maths

During the summer term, children will continue applying their mathematical knowledge across a range of topics.

They will develop their understanding of areas including:

• fractions

• money

• time

• shape

• statistics

• measurement

• position and direction

Children will continue developing fluency alongside mathematical reasoning and problem solving.

Year 4 children will also complete the statutory Multiplication Tables Check.

Science

Our science learning will continue to provide opportunities for children to plan investigations, observe carefully, take measurements and present their findings.

Children will revisit and apply important scientific knowledge from across the year and develop their confidence when explaining scientific ideas.

History and Geography

Children will continue exploring our Cycle A humanities curriculum.

They will use historical sources and geographical evidence to answer questions, make comparisons and develop a deeper understanding of people, places and environments.

Art and Design

Throughout Cycle A, children will have opportunities to develop their creativity through drawing, painting, pattern, sculpture and other artistic techniques.

They will study the work of different artists and use this as inspiration for their own pieces.

Children will also be encouraged to discuss, evaluate and improve their artwork.

Design and Technology

In design and technology, children will investigate existing products before designing, making and evaluating their own work.

They will develop practical skills and consider how materials, structures and mechanisms can be used effectively.

Computing

Children will continue developing their digital skills and understanding of programming.

They will create digital content, solve problems and learn how computers can be used for different purposes.

Online safety and responsible use of technology remain an important part of our computing curriculum.

Religious Education

Children will continue their learning through The Vine and the Branches curriculum.

They will explore the events of Easter and Pentecost and develop their understanding of the mission of the Church.

Year 3/4 Curriculum

Would you like to find out more about what your child will learn?

Please use the links below to explore our curriculum in greater detail.

Year 3/4 Curriculum

Year 3/4 Cycle A Curriculum Plan

Year 3/4 Cycle B Curriculum Plan

We are following Cycle A during 2026–2027.

English

Pathways to Write – Feature Keys Progression

Pathways to Write – Texts and Mastery Overview

PE

PE Long-Term Plan

Suggested Reading

Reading widely is one of the best ways children can develop their vocabulary, imagination and understanding of the world.

Please use the links below for suggestions of books suitable for children in Years 3 and 4.

Year 3 Suggested Reading List

Year 4 Suggested Reading List

Children do not need to read every book on these lists. They are simply designed to help families discover a wider range of authors, genres and texts.

Supporting Your Child at Home

There are a range of resources available below to help support your child's learning.

Maths

• Times Tables Parent Information

• Multiplication Tables Check Practice

• MyMaths

English

• SPaG Parent Help Sheet

• Year 3/4 Spelling Support

• Reading Lists

Curriculum Knowledge

Our knowledge organisers contain important vocabulary, facts and information linked to topics taught in Year 3/4.

These can be useful for talking to your child about their learning and revisiting key knowledge at home.

• Volcanoes, Tsunamis and Earthquakes Knowledge Organiser

• States of Matter Knowledge Organiser

• Living Things and Their Habitats Knowledge Organiser

Useful Learning Websites

Children may also find the following websites useful for practising and extending their learning at home:

Oak National Academy

A range of lessons and activities covering subjects across the curriculum.

BBC Bitesize

Activities, videos and information covering Key Stage 2 learning.

Mathsframe

Useful games and activities for practising multiplication tables and preparing for the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check.

Keep Up With Year 3/4

We love celebrating the children's learning, achievements and experiences throughout the year.

Please keep an eye on ClassDojo and our school communication channels for photographs, reminders, important dates and updates from Year 3/4.