Welcome to Year 4

Welcome back, and a warm welcome to Year 4. I hope you all had a fantastic, relaxing summer break and managed to make the most of the sunshine.

I am so excited to welcome you back into the classroom. There is always such a brilliant buzz at the start of a new school year, and I can't wait to see you settle in, catch up with friends, and kick off this new year together. Mrs Gerrard and I have been busy getting everything ready, and our batteries are fully charged for an amazing term ahead.

Here is a sneak peek at what you’ll be exploring in our first term...

Maths: Place Value & Times Tables

We start our Year 4 maths journey by diving deep into Place Value. We'll be working with numbers up to 4 digits (thousands), mastering how to read, write, order, and compare them with confidence.

We’ll also be kicking off our times tables practice right away. Getting a head start early in the year will give you plenty of time to build your speed and confidence ahead of the national Multiplication Tables Check in June 2027. Through fun classroom challenges and Times Tables Rockstars, we’ll make sure you feel ready to become times tables superstars.

English: Cinematic Stories & Classic Tales

We are starting the term with an inspiring visual text—a wonderful short animation called "Bubbles". You will use this magical story to craft your own exciting narratives, focusing on descriptive language and building suspense.

Later in the term, we’ll dive into the world of traditional tales. Using the classic story The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson as our inspiration, we’ll dissect the key features of traditional stories and use them to create your very own imaginative tales.

History: The Vikings

In History, we’re stepping back in time to meet The Vikings. We’ll be investigating who the Vikings really were, why they decided to travel across the sea to the UK, and what life was like during their invasion and settlement. We’ll also be looking at the lasting legacies they left behind that still influence Britain today.

Science: States of Matter

In Science, we’re asking a big question: What is everything made of? We'll be exploring Matter—the material that makes up us and everything in the world around us. You will investigate the three main states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases), learning about their properties, how they behave, and how we can tell them apart through hands-on experiments.

Useful Reminders & Info

• PE Days: Our PE days are Tuesday and Friday; Please come to school wearing your PE kit on these days: a plain white T-shirt, black shorts or tracksuit bottoms, and trainers.

• Weather Ready: As the autumn weather can be unpredictable, please make sure you bring a coat every day. Dressing in layers on cooler days is ideal so you stay comfortable during outdoor PE and break times.

• Other Subjects: Alongside our main topics, we’ll also be diving into exciting learning across ICT, French, RE, and Art.

• Class Team: I am delighted to be joined again by our fantastic Teaching Assistant, Mrs Gerrard, who will be supporting you across all our learning activities.

Getting in Touch

If parents or carers ever need a quick word or have any questions as you settle into Year 4, I am usually outside by the boys’ exit at 3:30pm most afternoons. Alternatively, feel free to leave a message with the main school reception, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

We are so excited about the year ahead and can’t wait to get started.

Warmest regards,

Mr Draper & Mrs Gerrard