Oak Class
Welcome to Oak Class (Y3/4)
The class teacher is Mr Ashley.
Mrs Slack is our teaching assistant every morning.
Our curriculum theme this term is:
DISCOVER!
Our enquiry question for this term is "Does migration always lead to conflict?"
We will be busy finding out about Invaders and settlers including the Anglo Saxons, Scots and Vikings in our history topic this term.
The children will learn about the peoples of the British Isles (The Anglo-Saxons) and the invaders from across the seas – (The Vikings.)
They will study how the Angles and Saxons came to Britain in the 3rd century from Germany and the Netherlands, to discover how crucial factors like land and farming helped them to develop and thrive. They will find out about the importance of Anglo-Saxon and Viking religion, including the Viking Gods. They will also study the lives and roles of the Anglo Saxon kings from Alfred the Great, Ethelred the Unready and Kind Athelstan. The children will reflect on their learning by identifying the similarities and differences between the two civilisations, before studying Viking Life in general.
They will explore why the Vikings came to Britain and from which countries along with a chronological timeline of their raids on the eastern coast of England and Scotland. They will then explore sources of evidence about the resistance by Alfred the Great and Athelstan and how the Vikings were able to establish Danelaw in the North and Midlands region of England. We will look at how the Vikings lived and worked and some of their Kings such as Guthrum and King Cnut.
The children will then analyse the impact of the Viking invasion on the Anglo-Saxons and their society. They will also consider whether or not these civilisations left a lasting legacy.
They will consider the following questions:
- Why did the Vikings come to Britain and how did they travel here?
- What were the Viking warriors like and what weapons did they use?
- Where did they first raid and why?
- How did the Vikings who settled in Britain live?
- What were the Vikings houses like, what did they wear and what did they eat?
- How do artefacts help us to work out what life was like in the past?
Throughout our project, we will explore concepts such as belonging, community, beliefs, change and class.
We will be reading the following key texts for English:
The Journey by F. Sanna; How to Train your Dragon by Cressida Cowell and the The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Rauf
Interesting books we will be reading for our Topic include:
Viking Boy – The Real Story by Tony Bradman; The Secret Viking Adventure by All Kennan; Norse Tales: Myths and Legends by Anik Hussain; Anglo-Saxon Boy by Tony Bradman and Horrible Histories – Smashing Saxons by Terry Deary.
Black History Month
The children will learn about the key individuals involved in the Civil Rights movement such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. Also how Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln and Barak Obama had an impact on their government and Societies.
The school treasures we are focusing on this term are peace and courage.
Our United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) this term is – Sustainable cities and communities (11): Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Enhancement subjects
Science: Sources and properties of light
RE: Christians and the Holy Trinity: Who was John the Baptist ? ; Why do Christians believe in God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit?
PSHE: Staying Safe and Being my Best;
Computing: Packet Data: How Routers work; Computer systems and networks: Search engines
Music: Composition notation (Viking Folk songs)
Art and design: Drawing Artefacts; observational sketches; prehistoric art using berries/charcoal and shadow puppets
Design & Technology: Mechanical systems: Pneumatic toys
PE: Paceball, Hockey, Gymnastics
MFL: Spanish
PE is on a Wednesday and a Friday this term. Children are to come to school wearing their PE kits on these days.
Educational visits this term:
Anglo Saxon day and Viking archeological visit to Southwell Minster - Monday 3rd November 2025
Other important dates:
Harvest festival - Tuesday 30th September 2.30pm at St Marys church
There will be information, updates and photos posted on Class Dojo as well as individual messages so please check your app regularly. Please message me or email the school office if you have any questions.
Knowledge Organisers
Links to other resources