In Year 4, children continue to build on the knowledge and skills they have developed in earlier years, further deepening their understanding across the curriculum. Through carefully planned lessons and purposeful learning experiences, pupils become more confident and independent in speaking, listening, reading, writing and mathematics, while developing a wider and more secure understanding of the world around them.

A strong focus is placed on developing rich and ambitious vocabulary so that children can clearly explain their ideas, discuss their learning in depth and make meaningful connections across different subjects.

Throughout the year, children explore a range of engaging and challenging topics, alongside a variety of high-quality texts to support and inspire their learning. They continue to develop their creativity through art, music and design technology, as well as through practical and hands-on learning opportunities.

Talking to your child regularly about their learning remains extremely important. Encouraging them to use new vocabulary, explain key concepts, discuss books they are reading and recall what they have learned helps to strengthen memory, build confidence and deepen understanding. Even short conversations at home can have a significant impact on children’s language development and progress across the curriculum.

In Year 4, children continue to develop the key skills needed across all areas of learning, while building on the strong foundations established in Key Stage 2. We aim to nurture confident readers, ambitious writers and resilient mathematicians through engaging lessons, purposeful learning experiences and consistent encouragement.

We know that children make the best progress when school and home work together. The support children receive at home plays a vital role in building their confidence, independence and success in the classroom.

Reading

Reading remains a priority at Phoenix and is at the heart of learning across the curriculum. In Year 4, children continue to develop their reading fluency, comprehension and confidence through daily reading and exposure to a wide range of high-quality texts.

Children are encouraged to:

• Read at home at least 3–4 times each week
• Bring reading books and reading records to school regularly
• Discuss vocabulary and the meaning of what they read
• Share their thoughts, opinions and predictions about texts

At this stage, there is an increasing focus on deeper understanding, inference and expression. Regular reading at home continues to make a significant difference. Listening to your child read, asking thoughtful questions and exploring new vocabulary together all help to strengthen confidence and comprehension.

Useful websites to support reading at home:

• Oxford Owl

Writing

In Year 4, children develop their writing skills further by writing in greater depth and for a wider range of purposes. They are encouraged to write with increasing independence, accuracy and creativity.

Children are encouraged to:

• Use a wider range of punctuation, including commas, apostrophes and speech punctuation
• Organise their writing into clear paragraphs
• Use ambitious and varied vocabulary
• Plan, draft, edit and improve their work

We celebrate children’s creativity, individuality and growing confidence as writers.

Maths

In maths, children continue to strengthen their fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills through engaging and structured learning experiences.

At Phoenix, we follow the White Rose Maths approach, supporting children to build confidence and deepen their understanding step by step. Mathematical discussion and reasoning are key, helping children to explain their thinking and make connections in their learning.

Throughout Year 4, children develop confidence with:

• Place value and number knowledge
• Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division (including times tables)
• Fractions and decimals
• Measures, shape and time
• Mathematical vocabulary and reasoning

In Year 4, there is a strong focus on times tables, including preparation for the Multiplication Tables Check.

We encourage children to practise maths in everyday situations at home. Activities such as practising times tables, telling the time, handling money or solving real-life problems can help build confidence and develop a positive attitude towards maths.

At Phoenix, we believe learning extends beyond the classroom. In Year 4, children benefit from a wide range of opportunities to further develop their confidence, independence, resilience and curiosity through enriching experiences both in and beyond school.

Throughout the year, children will have opportunities to:

• Take part in educational visits and welcome visitors into school
• Develop confidence through discussion, presentations and sharing ideas
• Learn through practical, hands-on experiences and enquiry-based learning
• Explore the Phoenix values through assemblies, classroom learning and everyday interactions
• Build strong friendships, resilience and independence as they continue their journey through Key Stage 2

Children also take part in:

• PE lessons and a wide range of physical activities
• Music and creative arts opportunities
• Thrive sessions and wellbeing support
• OPAL play opportunities
• Special themed weeks, celebrations and enrichment days

As part of the wider curriculum, Year 4 pupils take part in a variety of exciting visits and experiences linked to their learning, including:

• Visits to Storybarn and other reading events to promote a love of reading and support the study of high-quality texts, vocabulary development and comprehension skills
• A visit to Eureka! Science Museum to enhance learning in science topics such as electricity, sound and states of matter, bringing practical, hands-on experiences to classroom learning
• A trip on the Mersey Ferry to support geography learning, including work on rivers, human and physical features, and the local Liverpool area
• Outdoor learning and fieldwork opportunities to develop geographical enquiry skills, as well as support understanding of the water cycle and environmental awareness

These experiences help to bring learning to life, deepen children’s understanding of the world and create lasting memories, while supporting the development of the knowledge and skills they need to succeed both in and beyond the classroom.