Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Year 4! I am Mrs Hutchinson, and I am delighted to be your child’s teacher this year. Having worked at Mab’s Cross for twenty years, I have had the privilege of teaching across all year groups, giving me a wealth of experience and a broad understanding of children’s learning and development throughout primary school. I will be working alongside Miss Shaw and Mrs Robinson to ensure that your child feels happy, supported and encouraged to achieve their full potential.

Throughout Year 4, I aim to nurture your child’s natural curiosity, strengthen their confidence and develop the knowledge, skills and independence they need to become successful learners. I encourage children to approach their learning with enthusiasm and resilience, to ask thoughtful questions, to show respect towards others and to take genuine pride in their achievements.

This year promises to be an exciting journey through three engaging and inspiring topics. During the autumn term, we will step back in time and explore the Mighty Roman Empire. We will investigate how the Romans established such a powerful empire and consider the enduring influence they had on Britain. To enrich our learning, we will visit Chester, where the children will explore the remains of the ancient Roman settlement and have the opportunity to meet and interact with Roman legionaries.

Following the Christmas break, our attention will turn to Rivers and Mountains. We will explore how these remarkable geographical features are formed, examine the impact they have on the landscape and investigate the importance of rivers to people and wildlife. The children will also have the opportunity to undertake practical fieldwork during a visit to the River Douglas, allowing them to apply their geographical knowledge beyond the classroom.

We will conclude the academic year by journeying back to the Anglo-Saxon and Viking era. We will discover what life was like during this fascinating period of British history, explore Viking culture and mythology, and learn about legendary gods such as Thor and Odin. To make our historical studies even more memorable, we will welcome a Viking visitor into our classroom for a day of immersive learning!

Homework and Reading

Homework will be sent home each Friday and should be returned to school the following Friday. Homework provides an opportunity for children to consolidate their learning, develop their independence and take increasing responsibility for their own work. It also provides you with an insight into the concepts and skills we are exploring in school each week.

PE will take place on Mondays, so please ensure that your child comes to school wearing their PE kit on this day.

Reading remains an important part of your child’s development throughout Year 4. Reading books will be changed on Thursdays, so please ensure that your child has completed their three reads by this day. Regular reading at home is one of the most valuable ways in which you can support your child’s education. Beyond developing vocabulary, fluency and comprehension, sharing a book together can foster a lifelong love of reading and create precious opportunities to spend time together.

Multiplication Tables Check

During the summer term, the children will complete the Statutory Multiplication Tables Check. They will be expected to recall multiplication facts up to 12 × 12 accurately and confidently, with six seconds allowed for each question.

Frequent, short practice sessions at home can make a significant difference to children’s fluency and confidence. I would encourage you to make regular use of TT Rock Stars, alongside practising times tables in a variety of ways. The website below also provides a useful simulation of the official check:

https://www.timestables.co.uk/

I am very much looking forward to getting to know you and your children throughout the year. I hope Year 4 will be a year filled with curiosity, discovery, challenge and memorable experiences, as the children develop not only academically but also in confidence, independence and character.

Thank you in advance for your continued support and partnership. I look forward to working with you to make Year 4 a happy, successful and rewarding year for your child.

Best wishes,

Mrs Hutchinson