YEAR 6
Curriculum Summary
for
Parents
(Revised September 2014)
ROSEMEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Year 6 Curriculum
CONTENTS
Page Number:
3
Introduction and Expectations
4
English
5
Mathematics
6
I.C.T.
7
Science
10
MFL
11
Religious Studies
11
P.S.H.E.
11
History
12
Geography
12
Art/Design Technology
13
Music
13
P.E.
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ROSEMEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Year 6 Curriculum
Introduction
This booklet is designed to summarise the syllabus content of subjects taught in Year 6
at Rosemead Preparatory School. However, the content of the curriculum will be paced
at the appropriate rate and therefore could be varied from term to term, or substituted, if
appropriate, for a particular child or group.
Year 6 is the last year of Key Stage 2 and the final year of Rosemead Preparatory
School. As with Year 5, most of your child’s subjects will be taught by the form teacher,
with only certain subjects being taught by specialist teachers.
Although as a school we pay heed to the National Curriculum, we look to enhance this
and ensure that the children are performing at a higher level. Our aim is to provide a
broad curriculum from which the children will successfully progress to the next phase in
their education. As such, we prepare them for the entrance examinations to London day
schools, local state schools and boarding schools at the age of 11.
Year 6 therefore, continues the formal delivery of the curriculum, building on the skills
and knowledge children have acquired in previous years, and progressing towards the
demands of the examinations during this year and the eventual move into a senior
school.
Children are assessed and internally tested during the Autumn and Summer terms and
the results are reported to parents.
Expectations in Year 6
Children are encouraged at all times at Rosemead Preparatory School, to be diligent
and hard working. The expectations from our staff are high and we try to instil, in the
children, a sense of pride and achievement in everything they do. We put emphasis on
the presentation of the children’s work and monitor their organisational skills. There is
ample opportunity for their efforts and achievements to be recognised and celebrated
through our star awards and certificates as well as our many concerts, performances
and assemblies.
The children’s individual reading is monitored and nurtured; children are taught to
appreciate a love of reading as an enjoyable and worthwhile experience while
acknowledging the merits and benefits it affords as a cross curricular tool, accessing all
areas of the curriculum. To assist parents and children we issue Reading Lists at the
beginning of each year and offer support with the choice of literature. Children use a
reading diary to help monitor their reading at home and at school.
Homework is set daily, and in Year 6 will have homework with an English, mathematics
or topic focus of approximately thirty minutes written duration. Children will also be
expected to read up to thirty minutes daily. Friday homework will consist of two or three
subjects and may include longer individual projects.
The purpose of homework is:
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to encourage independent learning
to help children to become organised
to reinforce and extend the work covered in class
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ROSEMEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
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Year 6 Curriculum
to facilitate creative work
You will receive two written reports on your child’s progress during the year, and will
have the opportunity to meet the teachers twice a year. Do not hesitate to contact your
child’s form teacher should you have anything further to discuss.
English
Term 1
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Weekly comprehensions including past entrance examinations papers
Weekly spelling tests – Book 1
Grammar exercises and revision
Revision of direct and indirect speech
Use of the three different sentence types
Extended writing based on past entrance examinations papers to encourage, as
well as use of various forms of written language effectively for creative
expression
Poetry writing
Writing prompted from a visit or performance – Performance from YSCo
Dictionary and thesaurus work
Speaking and listening opportunities including interview skills practice
Regular reading including shared reading of a class book
Verbal reasoning papers
Term 2
 ‘Dragonology’ topic
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Comprehension texts – fiction and non-fiction
Weekly spelling tests – Book 2
Revision of grammar – commas, colons, semicolons, brackets, dashes, hyphens,
ellipses, adverbs, abstract nouns, puns, and paragraphs
Sentence types and structure
Creative writing
Play scripts
Newspaper report writing
Writing in the first and second person
Letter writing
Diary entries
Collaborative writing opportunities
Use of figurative language
Limerick writing
Dictionary and thesaurus work
Speaking and listening tasks, as in, Current Affairs presentations and debating
Regular reading including shared reading of a class book
Verbal reasoning papers
Term 3
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Works of Charles Dickens - topic based work
‘El Caminante’-short film, topic based work
Comprehension texts – fiction and non-fiction
Weekly spelling tests – Book 3
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ROSEMEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
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Year 6 Curriculum
Revision of grammar – commas, colons, semicolons, brackets, dashes, ellipses,
hyphens, adverbs, abstract nouns, puns, paragraphs and sentence types and
structure
Use of figurative language
Poetry
Creative writing
Newspaper report writing
Autobiographical writing
Persuasive writing
Writing in the first and second person
Character profiles
Diary entries
Adverts
Collaborative writing opportunities
Revision of using different types of figurative language
Dictionary and thesaurus work
Speaking and listening tasks, as in, Current Affairs presentations and debating
Regular reading including shared reading of a class book
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Mathematics
Term 1
 Weekly practice of 11+ examination papers
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Mathematics lessons will be based on the needs of each mathematics set in
order to best prepare the children for their entrance examinations. Topics
covered may include:
Number patterns – recognise and generate a sequence of numbers, describe the
rule that continues the pattern or sequence to nth term, square and triangle
numbers, Fibonacci sequence
Decimals – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, comparing and
ordering
Fractions - revise/reinforce and consolidate previous work, fractions of a
number, introduce lowest terms or simplest form, convert fractions to decimals
Ratios - introduction to ratio, using fractions to compare ratios
Percentages – understand % as number of parts in 100, find a percentage of a
whole number, convert percentages to decimals and/or fractions,
increase/decrease quantities by a given percentage
Probability – outcome of events can differ, use probability scale, experimental
probability.
Perimeter, Area and Volume - revise/reinforce and consolidate previous work,
calculate complex areas and perimeters
Multiplication - revise/reinforce and consolidate previous work – extend to powers
of numbers and long multiplication of 3 digit integer by 3 or 4 digit integer
Division - revise/reinforce and consolidate previous work – extend to long division
with remainders
Mathematical vocabulary – language associated with number patterns, fractions,
decimals, ratios, probability, percentages
Puzzle and Investigative maths
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ROSEMEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Year 6 Curriculum
Term 2
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Final revision and practice of 11+ papers
Negative Numbers - order a set of positive and negative numbers, use negative
numbers in context, add and subtract positive and negative numbers
2D and 3D shape - revise/reinforce and consolidate previous work – symmetry in
different types of triangles, draw parallel and right angles shapes using set
squares and rulers, identify types of prisms and pyramids, plane symmetry
Data handling - revise/reinforce and consolidate previous work – extend to dual
bar charts, pie charts, line and scatter graphs, discrete and continuous data
Averages - revise/reinforce and consolidate previous work – extend to
comparisons between the mean and range of a sets of data, use frequency
tables, use formula to calculate mean
Co-ordinates - revise/reinforce and consolidate previous work – extend to coordinates in 4 quadrants, interpret and construct graphs in 4 quadrants,
equations of straight and sloping lines, draw a graph from its equation, interpret
and construct conversion graphs
Mathematical vocabulary – language associated with negative numbers, 2D and
3D shapes, data handling, averages, co-ordinates
Mathematical vocabulary – language associated with negative numbers, shape,
handling data – charts and graphs, averages, co-ordinates.
Puzzle and Investigative maths
Term 3
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Length - revise/reinforce and consolidate previous work – extend to reading more
complex scales, accurate drawing/measuring of given lengths, solving problems
involving length
Weight - revise/reinforce and consolidate previous work – extend to reading more
complex scales, solving problems involving weight
Capacity - revise/reinforce and consolidate previous work – extend to reading
more complex scales, solving problems involving capacity
Time – read and use 24 hours notation, elapsed time, using timetables, duration
Transformations – revise line and rotational symmetry, translate shapes in 4
quadrants, tessellation, congruence and similarity
Angles – measure and name angles, relationship of angles in a shape or at a
point, construction of triangles from given angles and lengths using rulers,
protractors and a pair of compasses
Formulae and Equations – use word formulae, use letters to represent numbers,
formulae with 2 operations, algebraic formulae, substitution, writing and solving
equations
Investigations – using and applying mathematical knowledge to investigate a
problem
Mathematical vocabulary – language associated with length, weight, capacity,
time, transformations, angles, equations.
Curve stitching
Puzzle and Investigative maths
ICT
Term 1 – We are river researchers and explorers
The children are to complete detailed research on rivers around the world and use their
information to create an extensive presentation. The presentation will include text and
images, with synchronized effects and transitions between slides.
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ROSEMEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Year 6 Curriculum
Later in the term the children will also create a trail in Google Earth showing a route
around the rivers of the world they have chosen. Then to annotate with text, images,
video, audio, hyperlinks, etc.
Children will achieve the following objectives:
 To develop further research skills in a specific subject area.
 To develop skills of designing the layout of slides within a presentation.
 To consider effective slide transition and appropriate timings.
 To develop research skills involving digital maps and geographically located
information.
 To develop further abilities to take photographs, record audio, video and notes
when on location.
 To develop technical skills using a geographic information system to add and
edit content on a digital map.
 To consider their audience in creating a trail or tour for others to explore.
 To develop collaboration skills including reviewing other’s work and
 contributing to a shared project.
Term 2 – We are mountaineers
The children are to create a detailed diagram labelling parts of a mountain. Later in the
term, the children will plan and record a health and safety guide on how to stay safe on
a mountain.
Children will achieve the following objectives:
 To develop further research skills in a specific subject area.
 To develop skills of designing a detailed diagram using ICT.
 To consider their audience in planning a health and safety guide.
 To develop technical skills in recording narrated screen casts.
 To develop video editing skills.
 To develop collaboration skills including reviewing other’s work and contributing
to a shared project.
Term 3 – We are publishers
Children are to work collaboratively to research, write and design sections for a school
magazine or class yearbook. These are then edited together to produce the finished
document.
 Children will achieve the following objectives:
 To develop skills in writing for an audience using a word processor.
 To develop skills in taking, selecting and manipulating photographs.
 To develop page design skills, including typography and page layout.
 To develop document production skills, including editing, sub-editing, reviewing
and document design.
 To develop their understanding of project management.
 To develop their capacity to work collaboratively in an extended team.
Science
Term 1
Interdependence and adaption: In this unit children extend their knowledge of the way
in which plants and animals in different habitats depend upon each other and are suited
to their environment. They relate feeding relationships to knowledge of plant nutrition.
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ROSEMEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Year 6 Curriculum
Experimental and investigative work focuses on:
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making careful observations and measurements
using results to draw conclusions and suggesting explanations for these using
scientific knowledge and understanding.
Work in this unit also offers children opportunities to explain feeding relationships in a
habitat in terms of scientific knowledge and understanding and to consider ways in which
the living things and the environment need protection.
Micro-organisms:
Through this unit children learn that there are many very small organisms called microorganisms which feed, grow and reproduce and which may be harmful or beneficial.
Experimental and investigative work focuses on:
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making observations
drawing conclusions
suggesting explanations for conclusions, using scientific knowledge and
understanding.
Work in this unit also offers children the opportunity to use scientific ideas to explain
some causes of illness and decay, to relate micro-organisms to food production and to
relate science to their personal health.
Some of the work in this unit is likely to be undertaken in relation to the school's
programme for personal, social and health education.
Term 2
How we see things:
In this unit children learn that mirrors and shiny surfaces alter the direction in
which light travels and that when they see objects, light enters the eye. Children
contrast reflection and shadow formation.
Experimental and investigative work focuses on:
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planning and carrying out a fair test
making observations and measurements
recognising when to repeat measurements
presenting results in line graphs
identifying patterns in data.
Work in this unit also offers opportunities for children to relate their understanding
of light, reflection and shadow formation to everyday phenomena.
Forces in action: In this unit children apply their knowledge of a variety of forces,
including magnetic attraction, gravitational attraction and friction. Children learn about
the changes in motion which occur when forces act on an object. They consolidate their
understanding that forces have direction and can be measured.
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ROSEMEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Year 6 Curriculum
Experimental and investigative work focuses on:
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making and repeating measurements
considering patterns in results
representing data in line graphs
using results to draw conclusions.
Work in this unit also offers opportunities for children to use understanding about forces
to explain everyday phenomena and to obtain evidence to test scientific ideas.
Term 3
Changing circuits:
This unit is designed to revise concepts to which children have been introduced in Year
2 and Year 4. The unit consolidates children's knowledge of materials which are
electrical conductors, extends understanding of ways in which the brightness of bulbs or
speed of motors in a circuit can be changed and develops children's understanding of
the value of using conventional symbols for communication.
This unit provides opportunities for children to carry out a complete investigation relating
to electric circuits.
Work in this unit also offers opportunities for relating knowledge and understanding of
electricity to familiar phenomena.
More about dissolving: This unit consolidates and extends children's understanding
of what happens when a variety of solids dissolve.
Experimental and investigative work focuses on:
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making and testing predictions
planning a fair test
repeating observations and measurements and evaluating these
representing data in line graphs and interpreting what these show.
Reversible and irreversible changes:
Work in this unit also offers opportunities for relating understanding of dissolving to
everyday contexts.
This unit brings together and consolidates work that children have done before on
reversible changes eg melting, freezing, evaporating, dissolving, condensing, introduces
burning as a change that cannot be reversed and, like other irreversible changes,
produces new materials.
Experimental and investigative work focuses on:
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making careful observations
suggesting explanations for observations, using scientific knowledge and
understanding.
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ROSEMEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Year 6 Curriculum
Work in this unit also offers opportunities for using scientific knowledge and
understanding to explain and interpret a range of everyday changes.
MFL
Term 1 (French)
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Countries and nationalities
Describing people ( appearance and character)
Difference between Tu and vous (informal and formal “you”)
Revision of numbers up to seventy
Numbers up to one hundred
Daily routine
Plural of the nouns and adjectives
Term 2 (Spanish)
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Greetings in Spanish
Spanish speaking countries
Classroom instructions
Classroom objects
Numbers up to thirty-one
Days of the week and months of the year
Colours
Weather
Term 3 (Spanish)
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Family members / family tree
Introduce oneself in Spanish ( name, age, family)
Saying where I live
Pets
Body parts
Hispanic festivals and celebrations
Clothes
Religious Studies
Term 1
Due to entrance examination preparation R.S. will not be timetabled this term.
Term 2
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Judaism
Hinduism
Term 3
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Buddhism
Sikhism – The story of Guru Nanak
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ROSEMEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Year 6 Curriculum
P.S.H.E.
Term 1
 Goal setting
Due to entrance examination preparation R.S. will not be timetabled this term
Term 2
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Assertively challenge prejudice and discrimination
Recognise difference and diversity; demonstrate empathy for others
Demonstrate effective ways of resisting negative pressure from peers
Make informed choices to maintain health and well being and reasons for these
choices
Term 3
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Identify positive ways to face new challenges
Reflect and evaluate strengths and achievements
Discuss ways that relationships change over time
Communicate findings and experiences with others and make suggestions for
improvement or changes
History
Term 1
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To look at timeline- to revise periods covered in past years and identify the
Victorian period
To look at world map- who were the main powers at this time
The life of Queen Victoria
What was it like for children living in Victorian Britain? The contrast between rich
and poor children.
To look at the working conditions for children.
To look at influential Victorians such as Dr. Barnardo and Lord Shaftesbury and
their influence on child welfare.
Term 2
Comparison of town and country life:
 Victorian housing, education and leisure compare and contrast with today
 How did life change in our locality in Victorian times
 Victorian authors/children’s books
Term 3
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Industrial revolution
Inventions
Is there any evidence of this period in Britain/ London/ locally- Focus on the
Great Exhibition in Crystal Palace.
Victorian arts
Famous and influential people in the 20th and 21st century – scientists, architects,
explorers, writers etc
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ROSEMEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Year 6 Curriculum
Geography
Term 1
The river
 To revise the water cycle
 To investigate and consider why water is so important (electricity, drinking,
sewage)
 Research the course of the river and its geographical terms
 Places on the river (farms, town settlements and cities)
 Travelling on the river (canals and crossings)
 Caring for the river (pollution, measuring and controlling the flow, flood
precautions)
 Workshop with Thames water
Term 2
Mountains
 Mountain ranges
 Mountain landscapes and their geographical terms
 Habitats in the mountains
 Life in the mountains, focusing on tourism and safety
Term 3
Coasts.
 Investigations on coastal erosion, deposition and settlements
 People and the coast line: exploring and comparing various coastal regions
Art
Term 1
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Mixed media-looking at landscapes-elements of landscapes, water colour,
monoprint with acrylics, textures, collage, oil pastel.
Emphasis on exploration around landscapes theme. Work inspired by David
Tress, Van-Gogh Wolf Kahn and Turner
“People in action”-looking at movement in the figure, drawing using graphite and
collage Matisse inspired.
DT- “People in action” – marionette style puppets
Term 2
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“What a performance”-Create a piece of clothing for a favourite book/film
character using tie-dye, batik, stitching and appliqué.
DT – papier mache/mudroc dragon masks
Term 3
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Collage - fantasy landscape
“Leaving our mark at TPR”- Jackson Pollock project
Theatre and Prop design
Costume design
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Year 6 Curriculum
Music
Term 1
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Singing: This remains a top priority and part singing is explored extensively.
Dalcroze Eurythmics: Rhythm is explored holistically through the body. Using
external items to depict beat and speed, our own bodies to explore and execute
rhythmic patterns.
Rhythm: The children work with Sets 1 – 5 creating patterns. Set 6, syncopation
is introduced.
Christmas Carol Service Preparation (performance skills)
Term 2
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Singing: The children revise hymns and topical songs where appropriate.)
Dalcroze Eurythmics: (The children extend their work to incorporate syncopation
into their holistic work.
Composition: The children study the style of Chinese music and choose
appropriate instruments to create their own Chinese composition over 3 weeks.
Jingles: The concept of Jingles and their place is discussed. Advertisements are
created and jingles composed and performed.
Term 3
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Singing: Show songs are explored, concentrating on expression and movement.
Stage Craft: The children learn the techniques and requirements for successful
stage presentation.
Summer Play Preparation (performance skills)
Extension/support materials
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A wide selection of CDs and songbooks may be used in the classroom to
support and enhance our lessons.
More able children have the opportunity to perform at assembly time and
concerts.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Term 1
Basketball/Gymnastics
 Learn to develop the skills required for basketball leading to game situations.
 Explore body movements and balancing stances.
 Continue to practise and perform different ways of jumping, rolling, travelling
balancing and climbing.
 Continue to use the wall bars and ropes for climbing to develop upper body
strength and balance.
 Work individually and in pairs to develop coordination, balance, flexibility,
strength and stamina.
 Create and perform fluent sequences both on the floor and apparatus that show
a clear beginning, middle and end and have contrasts in direction, level and
speed.
 Perform individual and group routines to each other and the rest of the class.
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ROSEMEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Year 6 Curriculum
Games
Football
 Continue to develop ball skills with a main focus on good control and correct
technique.
 Extend skills of dribbling and passing.
 Refine skills of trapping and passing on the move using correct technique.
 Continue to development of skills of throw ons & heading the ball.
 Refine skills of shooting with control. Strike the ball towards the goal to score.
 Intercept the ball with consistency and control.
 Begin developing increased speed and accuracy.
 Develop the awareness of positional play and tactics.
 Continue to develop team work.
 Play and understand game and match situations using good tactics and positional
play.
 Move in different scenarios.
Basketball/Netball
 Revise the skills of bouncing, catching, dribbling and shooting with correct control
and good technique.
 Practise passing, chest pass, bounce pass, overhead and shoulder pass using
correct technique.
 Practise defending and marking your opponent using correct technique.
 Develop footwork on the court under pressure.
 Develop attacking and defensive game strategies.
 Practise the correct rules of the game.
 Play and understand game and match situations using tactics and positional play.
Term 2
PE and Movement
 Develop coordination, balance, flexibility, strength and stamina through warm up
and small games.
 Continue to develop different ways of travelling, balancing and climbing.
Development of routines designed and performed in the previous term.
 Practise the skills required for basketball leading to more competitive game
situation.
Games
Hockey
 Recap on safely and rules of the game.
 Develop passing, receiving and dribbling the ball, keeping control and possession
with increased consistency.
 Strike a ball towards the goal to score,
 Practise dribbling the ball using correct technique and good control.
 Work on attacking and defending strategies.
 Practise the rules of the game in competitive match and game situations.
Tag rugby/contact rugby
 Recap on safely and rules of the game.
 Practise passing and catching the ball using correct technique.
 Practise running towards the goal line and passing to the player who is behind
them.
 Practise playing the ball using correct technique.
 Begin developing increased speed and accuracy.
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Year 6 Curriculum
Work on attacking and defending strategies.
Practise the rules of the game in small match and game situations.
Swimming (after half term only)
 Swim on front and back over a distance using good control and correct technique.
 Swim fluently and with control when swimming front crawl, back stroke and breast
stroke. Be able to demonstrate the first stage of butterfly.
 Control of breathing and are comfortable on the surface and under water
swimming fluently and with control.
 To be confident in deep water.
 Use survival techniques, including floating, sculling, treading water and surface
diving.
 Practise racing dives, starts and finishes.
Term 3
Kwik cricket
 Refine striking and fielding skills.
 Practise and develop different throwing and catching techniques.
 Strike the ball with intent and increasing consistency and control.
 Intercept and stop the ball with consistency.
 Return the ball quickly and accuracy.
 Bowl over arm with increased accuracy and control
 Continue to develop these skills to play games and matches and to develop
awareness in match and game situations.
Games
Kwik Cricket / Rounder’s and tennis
 Perform a range of rolling, throwing, striking, hitting, catching and gathering skills
with good control.
 Use a range of technique when throwing and catching.
 Change of direction and speed when fielding the ball.
 Showing consistency and control of movements in games.
 Bat effectively, using correct technique.
 Field and throw with increased accuracy and control.
 Develop footwork on the court.
 Practise volley, forehand and backhand shots.
 Practise and develop accuracy of the serve.
 Develop game strategies.
Swimming
 Swim on front and back over a distance using good control and correct technique.
 Swim fluently and with control when swimming front crawl, back stroke and breast
stroke. Be able to demonstrate butterfly using increased control and technique.
 Control of breathing and are comfortable on the surface and under water
swimming fluently and with control.
 To be confident in deep water.
 Use survival techniques, including floating, sculling, treading water and surface
diving.
 Develop racing dives, starts, turns and finishes.
Athletics
 Preparation for sports day. Track and field events.
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Year 6 Curriculum
Reinforce correct technique for sprinting, long distance and relays.
Practise javelin and cricket ball throws with correct technique.
Throw with increasing accuracy and control.
Practise high jump and long jump with correct technique.
Extension/support materials
 Tournaments, matches and fixtures.
 Swim galas and inter-house swimming gala.
 Sports day.
 Extra early morning and lunch time sessions may be required to prepare for
fixtures, matches and sports events.
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