Year 4

Being Curious, Being Kind, Being the Best You Can Be

Welcome to Year 4 at Kilnhurst St Thomas Primary Academy! Year 4 is a special stage in your child’s learning journey where they begin to grow in confidence, take on new challenges and develop greater independence. This year, our pupils are encouraged to be curious about the world around them, be kind to themselves and others, and be the best they can be in all areas of school life.

In Year 4, we foster a warm, supportive and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and inspired to learn. Through exciting topics, high‑quality texts and hands‑on activities, children are given opportunities to think deeply, ask questions and work collaboratively with their classmates.

Our dedicated Year 4 team is committed to helping every child flourish—celebrating their achievements, nurturing their individuality and encouraging them to approach new experiences with enthusiasm and resilience. We look forward to a year filled with enjoyment, discovery and success for all our Year 4 pupils.

Year 4 Curriculum Overview

In Year 4, pupils continue to build on the strong foundations established in earlier years as they develop greater confidence, independence and curiosity. Across a broad and engaging curriculum, children explore history, geography, science and the arts through exciting themes, high‑quality texts and practical learning experiences. This approach helps pupils deepen their understanding, strengthen key skills and develop a positive attitude towards learning as they progress through Lower Key Stage 2 and prepare for the challenges ahead.

English
Year 4 pupils develop greater fluency and confidence in reading and writing through a range of high‑quality texts. They learn to:

Read with accuracy, expression and growing inference skills
Discuss characters, settings and themes across different genres

Write for a variety of purposes, including:

poetry
Playscripts
Myths
Non‑chronological reports
Diaries
Leaflets
Explanations
Instructions
Stories from other cultures

- Apply Year 4 grammar and punctuation, including fronted adverbials, expanded noun phrases and correct use of apostrophes
- Edit and improve writing with increasing independence
- Linked texts enrich vocabulary and support understanding of historical, cultural and geographical contexts.

Mathematics
In Year 4, pupils strengthen key mathematical knowledge while developing reasoning and problem‑solving skills. Learning includes:

Place value within four‑digit numbers
Efficient written methods for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
Fractions and decimals
Measurement, including area and perimeter
Properties of shape, angles and symmetry
Statistics, data collection and interpretation
Regular retrieval practice to strengthen fluency

Pupils also prepare for the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) by ensuring rapid recall of multiplication facts up to 12 × 12.

Science
Science in Year 4 encourages curiosity, investigation and hands‑on exploration. Children study:

Food and the Digestive System
Sound
States of Matter
Grouping and Classifying Living Things
Electrical Circuits and Conductors

Through practical experiments and fair tests, pupils record results, interpret data and use scientific vocabulary accurately.

History
Year 4 history explores societies from the past and their impact on the world today. Topics include:

Anglo‑Saxon settlement and invasion
Viking culture, daily life and Norse mythology
Ancient civilisations and their achievements

Children use historical sources, develop chronological understanding and compare how different civilisations lived, governed and influenced the modern world.

Geography
Geographical learning helps pupils understand how places and environments are connected. They study:

The Interconnected World
Mountains, rivers and water systems
Human and physical geographical features
Map skills, grid references and fieldwork
Retrieval to strengthen long‑term geographical knowledge

Pupils develop an awareness of sustainability, land use and environmental responsibility.

Art & Design
Year 4 pupils explore artistic techniques using a range of materials. Learning includes:

Exploring colour contrasts and form
Sculpture
Observation and Still life

Design & Technology
DT provides opportunities to design, make and evaluate products. Year 4 pupils learn:

Fresh Food, Good Food (nutrition and simple food preparation)
Functional and Fancy Fabrics
Tomb Builders (structures and mechanics linked to Ancient Egypt)

They plan, test and refine their designs with increasing independence.

Computing
Children develop essential digital skills by:

Creating and debugging simple programs
Understanding how computer systems and networks work
Producing digital content for different audiences
Learning how to stay safe and respectful online

These skills are applied across subjects to support learning.

Religious Education
Pupils explore key beliefs and practices from major world religions, including:

Christianity
Judaism

They reflect on moral choices, values and how beliefs shape people’s lives.

PSHE
PSHE supports pupils in developing:

Healthy friendships and relationships
Emotional resilience and self‑regulation
Respect and empathy for others
Confidence and responsible decision‑making
Understanding of health and wellbeing

Physical Education
Pupils take part in a wide range of physical activity, including:

Invasion games
Dance
Gymnastics
Athletics
Outdoor and adventurous activities

Learning focuses on teamwork, skill development, fitness and confidence.

Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish)
Year 4 pupils build on their Spanish learning by:

Using familiar vocabulary in simple conversations
Asking and answering questions
Practising pronunciation
Reading short passages for key meaning
Writing short sentences using taught structures
Developing awareness of Spanish‑speaking cultures

Home learning & Expectations

Home learning in Year 4 supports and strengthens the learning taking place in school while helping pupils develop independence, responsibility and good organisational habits. At this stage, children are beginning to manage tasks more confidently, and completing home learning provides valuable opportunities to practise and secure key skills. We appreciate the strong partnership between home and school and value the support families provide to help children succeed.

Reading
Regular reading is essential for progress.
Children should either read to an adult at least three times each week, with each session recorded in their reading diary. Or , pupils may access an approved online reading programme, allowing them to practise comprehension skills and enjoy a wider range of texts.

English and Maths Practice
Short home learning tasks in English and maths will be sent home to reinforce key skills taught in class. These tasks help pupils deepen understanding, practise methods and build confidence when applying their learning.

Project Work
Occasional project-based home learning runs alongside our wider curriculum, giving pupils opportunities to be creative, research topics and share their learning in different ways.

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.