Year 5 is an extraordinarily exciting and memorable year, packed with rich curriculum learning, creative projects, and drama opportunities. The year begins with our Elizabethan topic. Children visit The Golden Hind and explore Shakespeare through a modern adaptation performed by half the class in a local theatre. Meanwhile, the other half work on an environmental project, creating David Attenborough-inspired documentaries. We also study space during this term, with children enjoying a visit to the Space Dome to deepen their understanding. All subjects are closely linked to our topics of Elizabethans and Space, creating a truly immersive experience.

In the spring term, the focus shifts to the Stone Age through to the Iron Age. Children visit Cheddar Gorge to explore prehistoric life, while the other half of the class get their turn on stage, performing original Cautionary Tales – both their own and those inspired by Hilaire Belloc – at the Northcott Theatre. The remaining children complete the environmental documentary project. The summer term follows a three-year rotation of history topics: World War II, the English Civil War, or World War I. This culminates in a historical re-enactment at a local National Trust property. Children research the historical significance of the site, write scripts, and perform their work in costume, deepening their historical understanding in a unique and powerful way.

A major highlight of the summer is the five-day residential trip to Heatree. Here, children take part in a range of outdoor and curriculum-linked activities. These include a Prehistory Day, where they dress up as Stone Age people and experience life through prehistoric tasks and challenges. They also complete a river study, investigating the River Lemon, and engage in a ‘Going Global’ trading game, learning about international trade and economics. Science is brought to life through work on life cycles, and there’s also time for reflection, team building, and plenty of free time fun with friends in a beautiful natural setting. Throughout the year, children take part in a wide range of enrichment opportunities. From netball, tag rugby, gardening, musical theatre and chess squads, to representing the school in tournaments, there is a squad for everyone. Pupils can also apply to be library monitors—an eagerly anticipated role – and every child takes part in CTV (Cornerstone TV), our weekly news broadcast presented from the school’s TV studio, covering school, national, and global events, along with sports and weather. It’s a jam-packed year – one of the most dynamic and rewarding in the school – and by the end of it, children leave Year 5 with increased confidence, independence, and a huge sense of achievement.