Year 3 is an important transitional year for our children- it is where they leave behind Key Stage 1 and take their first steps into Key Stage 2.  The timings of the days change, as does the curriculum, with the introduction of French and swimming in PE.

Maths

• We follow a mastery approach using Power maths - a UK curriculum mastery programme designed to spark curiosity, excitement and nurture confidence in maths. It also develops oracy skills, which are so important during a child’s time at primary school.
• A child centred lesson design that models and embeds a growth mindset approach to maths.
• Key vocabulary is explicitly taught throughout each lesson.
• Developing children’s understanding of times tables also forms a key part of year 3.

 

English

• Encouraging a love of reading is a fundamental lifelong skill and a vital part of year 3. Children in year 3 engage with the Accelerated Reader scheme and choose from a wide range of authors and genres at their own level before completing a quiz on the computer. This not only gives an indication as to how well a child has understood a book but also says how many words they have read and children work towards being a word millionaire!
• Daily reading lessons provide children with an opportunity to explore a variety of texts in depth to develop their reading skills. Class texts are linked to our wider curriculum which provides for a deeper understanding of a text, e.g. we read 24 Hours in the Stone Age (Class text) and study the Stone Age in History.
• In writing, children continue to develop their skills in writing for different audience and purpose, building on the grammar and punctuation previously learnt and developing new grammar and writing skills.

RE

We follow the updated Religious Education Directory – To Know You More Clearly, which guides children in deepening their understanding of the Catholic faith and its teachings. Lessons encourage children to reflect on the life and message of Jesus, while also fostering respect for other religions and worldviews.

Children are supported in developing their spiritual, moral, and cultural understanding through discussion, scripture, and creative activities. The curriculum promotes thoughtful questioning, personal reflection, and living out values such as compassion, justice, and integrity in everyday life.

 

Exciting events in Year 3

• In the Autumn term, as part of our History learning we visit Chiltern Open Air museum where we step back in time to the Stone Age and experience a Stone Age workshop.  
• During the Spring term as part of our geography learning we explore volcanoes with an interactive Virtual Reality workshop. 
• We also visit St Barnabas church for morning mass in the Autumn and Spring term.
• During the spring term, children are introduced to Beyond Blocks, a weekly Lego robotics lesson which begins in Year 3.
• In the Summer term, we will be visiting Sayers Croft for a day trip to prepare children for their residential visit in Year 4.

 

Home learning

• Home learning is designed to consolidate learning from class.
• Children receive a CGP Maths and English book at the beginning of the year and every Friday work is set on Google Classroom. This is marked the following Friday.
• Children are also given 10 spellings to learn each week and are tested in school the following Friday.
• Children are encouraged to practice their timetables on Times Table Rock Stars.  
• Each child has a reading record in which they are expected to record their reading and these will be checked in school.