Ellie is a British former Paralympian swimmer who has achieved a host of medals and awards, including 4 gold medals in Paralympic swimming events. She also has some silver and bronze medals as part of her collection, and broke individual medley world records when she swam. She has become an inspiration for her achievements in sport but also her values and charity work. Ellie received an OBE in 2009, has competed on Strictly Come Dancing and helps to support many charities, particularly Sports Relief.
“Every single person is different and it’s amazing that we live in a world where we can celebrate that!” Ellie Simmonds
Transdisciplinary Themes
Transdisciplinary Themes: During the year we will cover the following transdisciplinary themes:
- Who we are
- Where we are in place and time
- How we express ourselves
- Sharing the planet
- How we organise ourselves
- How the world works
When following these themes, we will have a central idea and some key concepts which our inquiry will be based around.

Homework
For homework please use Times Tables Rock Stars to improve the quick recall of times tables facts. In June, there is a times tables check for all Year 4 students. Reading should be undertaken everyday if possible. Pupils also have Spelling Shed to help them with their spelling and a login for Languagenut to improve their Spanish skills.
Reading
Children can change their book whenever they have read. We ask that an adult sign the book so that we know that your child has read and been asked questions about the text. Please try to talk about new vocabulary in the text so that your child knows what the words mean. They can then use them in their own writing. If your child has read at least 3 times a week, they will have their bookmark ticked and this leads to different rewards.
PE
PE is on Wednesdays and Thursdays. We ask that children come to school in their kits.
Please also make sure long hair is tied back and jewellery has been removed.
Knowledge Organisers
How we organise ourselves
Central Idea:
Key events in history may have influenced the way Britain has evolved.
Line of Inquiry 1:
Significance of groups within history (responsibility)
Line of Inquiry 2:
Decisions made that have shaped Britain today (causation)
Line of Inquiry 3:
The experiences of people involved in historical changes (Perspective)
Core Texts:
- The Captive Celt
- Empire’s end: A Roman Story
Maths:
- Fractions
- Decimals
Science:
- Living things – Food chains
History:
-
The Romans
Geography:
- Northern Hemisphere – Earthquakes & Volcanoes
Spanish:
- Healthy Lifestyles
RE:
- Why some people see ‘Life as a Journey’
PSHE:
- Media Literacy; Money and Work
PE:
- Netball
Art:
- The History of Mosaic
Music:
- Fanfare for the common man, Spain
Computer:
- Data and information – Data Logging
how the world works
Central Idea:
Rivers as a natural resource may be changing due to human use
Line of Inquiry 1:
The role of water within our world (function)
Line of Inquiry 2:
The developing significance of rivers (change)
Line of Inquiry 3:
Humankind’s impact on habitats (responsibility)
Core Texts:
-
Wind in the Willows
English Writing:
- Descriptive narrative
- Character description
- Playscript
Maths:
- Multiplication and division
- Length and perimeter
Science:
- Living things and their habitats
History:
-
Significant event – flooding and its impact on the UK
Geography:
- Rivers (The River Thames)
Spanish:
- Around the World
RE:
- Why is Jesus inspiring to some people?
PSHE:
- Media literacy and digital resilience
- Money and work
PE:
- Challenger Tiger Troops
Art:
- Painting
Music:
- Vltava by Bedrich Smetana
sharing the planet
Central Idea:
Relationships between communities may differ based on their locality.
Line of Inquiry 1:
How food brings people together (causation)
Line of Inquiry 2:
Points of view on religions (perspective)
Line of Inquiry 3:
Being part of multiple communities (Connection)
Core Texts:
-
Madame Pamplemousse and her Incredible Edibles
English Writing:
- Narrative
- Instructions
- Non-chronological report
Maths:
-
Multiplication and Division
Science:
- Animals including humans
History:
-
Significant individuals – Marie Curie
Geography:
- Features of the UK, Europe and Italy
Spanish:
- Going to work
Computing:
- Creating media – audio
RE:
- Buddhism
PSHE:
- Respecting others and Ourselves + Belonging to a community
PE:
- Basketball
Art & DT:
- Photography of food
- Cooking Pasta
Music:
- This little light of mine
who we are
Central Idea:
Organisations may create order
Line of Inquiry 1:
Having justice in a digital world (Function)
Line of Inquiry 2:
An organisation formed to create order (Change)
Line of Inquiry 3:
Shared goals for justice (Responsibility)
Core Texts:
- Agent Asha
- Cruel Crime
- Painful Punishment
English Writing:
- Non-chronological report
- Description of a gadget
- Character description
- Oath
Maths:
- Place value
- Number
- Addition
- Subtraction
Science:
- Electricity
History:
- Crime and punishment
Geography:
- Map work
- The UN
Spanish:
- Going to school
Computing:
- The Internet
RE:
- Sikhism
PE:
- Dodgeball
Art & DT:
- Create our own gadget, making a prototype
- ‘Spy’ art.
Music:
- The ‘Pink Panther’ theme