Primary 5

Primary 5 marks the exciting start of the Key Stage 2 (KS2) journey.

A crucial stage for building the strong academic foundations needed for future success, including the skills needed in the early stages of preparation for the SEAG assessments in P7.

Core to the curriculum is developing a solid understanding of Number processes and Literacy grammar concepts.

In Numeracy, there’s a key focus on developing mental maths and problem solving skills, with concepts actively linked to everyday examples like ordering from a café or booking a flight.

In Literacy, boys focus on developing their writing style and mastering writing for a particular purpose. A big emphasis is placed on reading, which is supported through guided reading and the Accelerated Reader Programme.

Furthermore, spelling development and recall are reinforced through a differentiated spelling scheme to strengthen phonological awareness, consolidating the strong foundational literacy skills that support reading, writing, and comprehension.

Learning is enriched through engaging World Around Us (WAU) topics: Flight, the history of The Romans, and Famous Explorers.

The P5 classroom is a vibrant place where learning is enhanced through interactive methods like Classroom Games and opportunities to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

This learning is powerfully supported by two key school trips:

• A visit to W5 for a ‘History of Animation’ workshop: where pupils gain awareness of stop motion filming which they later use back in school to recreate the founding of Rome.
• A trip to WWT Castle Espie for the ‘Amazing Migration’ workshop to deepen their knowledge of bird migration, linking directly to the Flight topic.

Integral to the P5 experience is the focus on the boys’ holistic development and wellbeing.

A key emphasis is placed on developing a strong classroom ethos through PDMU, ensuring boys are aware of their importance and place within the class.

This work also includes developing boys’ awareness of setting themselves achievable goals and targets to instil a growth mindset.

Sport plays a major role, with sessions led by their teacher, Mr. Gardner, and specialized external coaches, where boys develop fundamental skills in football, hockey, rugby, and cricket.

These team sports are instrumental in fostering key life skills such as team work/cohesion, leadership, and communication skills.

Furthermore, P5 offers significant opportunities for creative expression in the Arts.

Boys express themselves through various art tasks linked to their learning topics and through music and drama, including the chance to join the school choir, brass band, and orchestra, culminating in participation within the end-of-year whole school show.

This rich array of activities ensures a well-rounded and engaging educational experience for all Primary 5 pupils.