Year 6

The final year at Garswood Primary represents a strategic bridge between the nurturing environment of primary education and the increased independence of secondary school.

To navigate this pivotal transition, the school has assembled a dedicated teaching and support team focused on both academic excellence and emotional resilience. This team provides the stability and guidance necessary for students to thrive during their most important year yet, ensuring they are prepared for the rigors of Key Stage 3.

The key staff members driving the Year 6 experience include:

• Class Teacher - Mr. Andrew Yearsley: Deputy Head Teacher

• Teaching Assistants - Mrs. Lauren Quinn, Mrs. Julie Thompson, Mrs. Lucy Brown

• Midday Supervisor - Mrs. Katie Hill

The synergy between Mr. Yearsley and Mrs. Quinn is central to our success. By working closely together, they ensure that every lesson is precisely tailored to the varying abilities within the class. This collaborative approach allows for sophisticated differentiated instruction where no student is left behind—ensuring high achievers are consistently challenged while those needing extra support receive targeted, timely intervention.

This supportive framework not only bolsters academic confidence but also empowers students to embrace their burgeoning roles as the school’s most senior leaders.

To facilitate this growth, students are invited to undertake various "missions" throughout the year. These roles are designed to foster civic duty and leadership skills:

The Peer Mentor role is particularly vital due to specialised training provided by Barnardo’s. This partnership empowers students with professional tools to recognize and respond to the needs of younger children.

By learning to listen, empathise, and mediate, our students develop a sophisticated emotional intelligence that prepares them for the more complex social environments of secondary school. Having established their character as leaders, students are ready to tackle the exciting academic adventures awaiting them in the classroom.

Our Learning Journey

The Garswood curriculum is "carefully planned" to be a sequenced journey that connects new knowledge to existing understanding. This strategic approach ensures that learning is transferred into long-term memory through meaningful connections across subjects, rather than being treated as isolated facts.

Integral to this journey is the "No Outsiders" ethos, which uses high-quality literature to explore vital social themes. Through books such as King of the Sky and The Island, students engage in deep discussions regarding immigration, the causes of racism, and the importance of acceptance. These discussions complement our focus on Mutual Respect and Tolerance, bridging the gap between English and RE-based British Values.

Furthermore, texts like A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo introduce complex concepts like Democracy, ensuring our students graduate with a well-rounded understanding of the diverse world around them. This broad knowledge base provides the perfect foundation as students move toward their final-year assessments.

The schedule for SATs week in May is as follows:

Monday: English - Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling (Papers 1 & 2)

Tuesday: English - Reading Paper

Wednesday: Mathematics Paper 1 (Arithmetic) and Paper 2 (Reasoning)

Thursday: Mathematics Paper 3 (Reasoning)

Digital Toolkit and Helpful Resources

To ensure every student feels ready, a variety of digital tools are integrated into their daily routine to build confidence and fluency. Garswood embraces a blended learning approach, recognising that digital tools can significantly enhance the "remembering" process—the key to all academic progress. By utilising high-quality online resources, students engage in focused learning that adapts to their individual needs.

Online Learning Power-Ups

Students have access to Reading Plus and Atom Learning. These platforms provide quality, leveled learning opportunities that keep students motivated and engaged through adaptive technology.

Brain Boosters

To support cognitive development, we recommend:

• Oxford University Memory Games: Interactive games specifically designed to increase Working Memory.

• Education Quizzes Knowledge Bank: A wide-ranging resource for reinforcing Key Stage 2 facts and figures.

The final year at Garswood is a unique time of celebration and growth. We encourage all parents and children to embrace this year with happy, fun, and high-energy spirits

—let’s make this the best year ever!