Year 3

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Being Curious, Being Brave, Being Ready to Learn

Year 3 marks the exciting beginning of Key Stage 2, where pupils take important steps in becoming more independent, confident and responsible learners. This year, children build on the strong foundations of Key Stage 1 while embracing new challenges, deepening their knowledge and developing a real enthusiasm for learning.


In Year 3, we create a supportive, nurturing and inspiring environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to do their best. Through engaging topics, rich discussions and hands‑on activities, pupils are motivated to explore new ideas, think creatively and work collaboratively with others.


Our dedicated Year 3 team celebrates each child’s achievements, nurtures their individual strengths and supports them as they grow academically, socially and emotionally. We look forward to a wonderful year filled with discovery, curiosity and success.

Year 3 Curriculum Overview

In Year 3, pupils explore a broad and stimulating curriculum designed to build confidence, deepen understanding and promote a love of learning. Learning is organised through three engaging projects—Through the Ages, Rocks, Relics and Rumbles, and Emperors and Empires—which make strong cross‑curricular links and help children apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

 

English
Year 3 pupils develop fluency and accuracy in reading, writing and spelling through high‑quality texts. They learn to:

  • Read with increasing fluency, expression and comprehension
  • Discuss characters, settings and themes

Write for a range of purposes, including:

  • Narratives
  • Instructions
  • Chronological and non‑chronological reports
  • Diaries
  • Biographies
  • Letters
  • Myths
  • Poetry


- Apply Year 3 grammar and punctuation, including expanded noun phrases, inverted commas for speech, and conjunctions
- Edit and improve their writing

Mathematics
In Year 3, pupils develop confidence with key number concepts and problem‑solving. Their learning includes:

  • Place value in 3‑digit numbers
  • Written and mental methods for addition and subtraction
  • Multiplication and division facts for ×3, ×4, ×8
  • Fractions (tenths, fractions of amounts)
  • Measurement: length, mass, capacity, time and money
  • Properties of shape, angles and symmetry
  • Simple statistics
  • Retrieval practice to strengthen fluency


Science
Science in Year 3 encourages curiosity, practical investigation and accurate scientific thinking. Children study:

  • Animal Nutrition and the Skeletal System
  • Forces and Magnets
  • Plant Nutrition and Reproduction
  • Light and Shadows

Pupils conduct experiments, make predictions, record findings and use scientific vocabulary with increasing precision.

History
Through exciting history topics, pupils explore life in different periods and develop their chronological understanding. Themes include:

  • Through the Ages: Prehistoric Britain, Stone Age to Iron Age
  • Emperors and Empires: The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain

Children use primary sources, compare historical periods and learn how past societies lived, worked and changed over time.

Geography
Geographical learning helps pupils understand their world more deeply. They study:

  • Rocks, Relics and Rumbles: Volcanoes, earthquakes and mountain formation
  • One Planet, Our World: Continents, countries, biomes, climate and map skills
  • Revision and retrieval activities to secure key concepts


Art & Design
Year 3 pupils explore a variety of materials and techniques while developing creative confidence. Learning includes:
Colour Theory – mixing, shading and tinting
Prehistoric Pots – clay modelling inspired by early civilisations
Ammonite Art – pattern, fossil‑inspired designs
People and Places – portraits and landscapes
Beautiful Botanicals – studying flowers through drawing and painting
Mosaic Masters – tile patterns inspired by Roman mosaics

Design & Technology
DT provides opportunities for children to plan, design and create purposeful products. They learn:
Cook Well, Eatwell – nutrition and simple food preparation
Making It Move – mechanisms and moving parts
Greenhouse – structures and joining materials

Computing
Year 3 pupils develop key digital skills, including:
Programming simple sequences
Using digital tools for creativity
Understanding networks and technology around them
Safe and responsible online behaviour (taught throughout)

Religious Education
Year 3 explores major beliefs, practices and values within Christianity and one other world faith. Pupils reflect on moral choices, special celebrations and how faith influences people’s lives.

PSHE
PSHE helps pupils develop:
Healthy relationships and friendships
Kindness, empathy and respect
Emotional regulation
Understanding of personal safety
Positive decision‑making

Physical Education
Year 3 pupils take part in a range of physical activities that build confidence, coordination and teamwork:
Invasion games
Dance
Gymnastics
Athletics
Outdoor and adventurous activity

Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish)
Pupils begin to build confidence with Spanish by:
Learning everyday vocabulary
Asking and answering simple questions
Practising pronunciation
Reading short words and phrases
Writing simple sentences

Home Learning & Expectations – Year 3
Home learning in Year 3 reinforces learning in school and helps pupils develop independence, organisation and responsibility. We value the strong partnership between home and school and appreciate the support families provide.
Reading
Children should read at least three times each week, either aloud to an adult or by discussing what they have read. All reading should be recorded in their diary. Online reading platforms may also be used to support fluency and comprehension.
English and Maths Practice
Short weekly tasks in English and maths help pupils consolidate key skills taught in class. These may include spelling, times tables, sentence work or number practice.
Project Work
Occasional project‑based homework allows pupils to explore creative ideas, research topics and present their learning in different ways. These tasks support curiosity, independence and pride in learning.

How You Can Support Your Child
You can make a significant difference by:

Talking with them about their current learning and topics
Discussing maths tasks and helping them understand what is being asked. Knowledge organisers for your information are found below.
Keeping a secure note of login details for school-approved online platforms
Listening to them read regularly and recording this in their diary
Encouraging a positive mindset so they come to school ready to learn
Supporting participation in any additional support sessions, when offered.  
Practical Information
Information about day‑to‑day routines, including PE days, equipment pupils may need, key dates, and how to contact the class or school office, is shared through our school communication platforms. Families are encouraged to check these regularly to stay up to date with the latest notices and reminders.