1. Information Evening for Parents and Carers
Monday 2nd July 2018
Miss Helen Maddocks

2. Aims of this Session
To provide an overview of the structure for next year in Upper Key Stage 2 (UKS2)
To introduce members of the UKS2 team
To share a brief overview of our curriculum and how this will be delivered
To explain how we will meet the needs of Year 6 pupils and their transition to high school

3. Introductions
As Deputy Head, one of my areas of responsibility is the organisation of the curriculum across the whole school
I have 6 years experience teaching mixed-age classes (including mixed Years 5 and 6)
Mr Bonner, Miss Neill and I are excited to be working together, supporting one another, sharing our expertise and learning from one another in a way that hasn’t been possible before – this will benefit all children across all three classes
We have a number of teachers in school who also have experience of teaching mixed-age classes

4. Class Structure
Children will be grouped according to their date of birth
Year 5 – youngest pupils – Miss Maddocks
Year 5/6 – oldest Year 5 pupils and youngest Year 6 pupils – Mr Bonner
Year 6 – oldest pupils – Miss Neill
Class sizes in September will be much smaller than they are now, with a predicted 24 children in each class
The three UKS2 classes will share 2 Teaching Assistants (Miss Thomas and Miss Sims) in addition to adults working 1 to 1 with specific children and providing support where required

5. Location UKS2 will move into the top floor of the new extension
This will ensure teachers can work closely together and to ensure a smooth transition between classes
Children have been incredibly positive about their new learning environment

6. Meeting the needs of all learners
Regardless of whether we are teaching single or mixed-age classes, teachers ‘differentiate’ their teaching to ensure the needs of all learners are met, and particularly when there is a wide range of needs and abilities within the cohort
Differentiation involves using a range of strategies, resources and teaching styles (such as small groups, different independent tasks, a variety of resources, adapting shared resources, adult support and providing a range of opportunities) so that all children make progress
Teachers will continue to use differentiation to meet the needs of learners in mixed-age groupings

7. Curriculum
We will deliver a two-year rolling programme across all three classes where the same objectives will be covered
This ensures that all pupils across UKS2 access the same objectives and opportunities during their time in this phase
We will ensure that all children receive the right level of challenge regardless of their age
Children will not miss out on learning opportunities or objectives when taught in a mixed-age class – we won’t be ‘skipping’ a year
Teachers will have planning time together to ensure consistency

8. Curriculum cont.
We follow the National Curriculum and will create a 2-year rolling programme that ensures progression and that no one repeats the same topics
As Year 5 have already experienced the Year 5 curriculum, we will begin our rolling programme in September by teaching our Year 6 curriculum which will be new learning for all children across all three classes
Topics specific to Year 5, such as the study of North America, will be covered in the second year of our rolling programme
This will ensure full coverage of the required objectives by the time all children have left UKS2
As is normal practice at Tarporley, learning will be differentiated to meet the needs of all learners and ensure they are appropriately challenged, regardless of their age and stage of development

9. Curriculum cont.
Where the National Curriculum directs us to teach specific topics and content to specific year groups, such as in Science, because mixed-age classes are common practice across England, schools have the flexibility to teach topics ‘out of order’ as long as they are covered by the end of the key stage
Year 5 Maths objective
Pupils should be taught to: read, write, order and compare numbers to at least and determine the value of each digit
Parallel Year 6 Maths objective
Pupils should be taught to: read, write, order and compare numbers up to and determine the value of each digit
With appropriate differentiation, both objectives are easily covered within one lesson
In subjects such as History and Geography, the requirement is to teach objectives within a key stage and no mention is given of specific year groups
Explain about Religious Education
We study North America in Year 5 because we have decided to as a school – in Geography, the NC simply gives a list of objectives and content to be covered during KS2 so when we cover them is up to us – this is the same for many foundation (non-core) subjects
This allows us to teach our ‘Year 6’ topics to Year 5 children and vice versa
Provide detail about English – same objectives for Year 5 and 6 anyway – we will tweak what is already in place and think carefully about the suitability of texts given we are teaching two year groups

10. Streaming In maths, children will be streamed across Years 5 and 6
Children will be grouped according to their ability and understanding of mathematical concepts
We will stream pupils because teachers can pinpoint areas of need, pitch lessons with greater accuracy and deliver lessons at a pace that is appropriate for learners. This results in teaching and learning that is tailor-made for those pupils

11. Streaming cont.
Maths groupings will be flexible – if children’s needs change during the year, they will be moved to the maths group that best meets their needs
We have no plans currently to stream in other curriculum areas
I will explain verbally why we are not streaming for English rather than writing it in the slide as there was no way of doing it that wasn’t wordy and confusing
Recap – same objectives for English anyway across 5 and 6, ‘glass-ceiling’, in Maths children can either access the learning or they can’t, children learn from one another, etc.
Glass ceiling
Maths – you either understand or you don’t, can access the learning or you can’t
Children learn from one another, etc.

12. Trips and Residentials
Next year, Year 5 and Year 6 will enjoy separate residentials
Year 6 will visit York and will take part in their transition residential to the Conway Centre (if they are planning to attend Tarporley High School)
Year 5 will stay at the Conway Centre for an art-themed residential
For trips, there will be a combination of UKS2 trips and separate year group trips, for instance Pilgrim Day at Chester Cathedral is specific to Year 5 and the Leavers’ Service at Chester Cathedral is specific to Year 6

13. Year 6 Transition, Leavers’ Celebrations, End of Year Performance
All Year 6 pupils will enjoy the same privileges and experiences regardless of which class they are in, e.g. Buddies, Parliament Leads, additional monitor roles, etc.
All Year 6 pupils will access the same transition opportunities while Year 5 will remain at school and continue with lessons as normal
All Year 6 will attend Chester Cathedral Leavers’ Service and will present their own Leavers’ Service at St. Helen’s as normal
All Year 6 pupils who want one will be given speaking parts in their End of Year Performance as normal while Year 5 will perform as a choir
Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) will continue to be taught to Year 6 only in an age-appropriate way
Also mention Fire Safety trip and visit for different year groups

14. Year 6 End of Key Stage Assessments (SATs)
Preparation for SATs begins around 3 weeks before the tests
All Year 6 children will be given equal opportunities to prepare for their tests
All Year 6 children will be invited to SATs club in the Spring term

15. Thank you for your continued support