Welcome to Year 3!
Year 3 is an exciting and transformative year where children grow in confidence, independence and curiosity. Our curriculum is designed to inspire, challenge and nurture each and every child, helping them build the key knowledge and skills they need for Key Stage 2 and beyond. We celebrate creativity, encourage questioning, and support children in becoming resilient, enthusiastic learners.
English
Over the year, the children will become increasingly confident readers and writers. We will explore a rich range of texts to develop comprehension, vocabulary and reading fluency. We will focus on crafting clear, engaging sentences using expanded noun phrases, varied punctuation and increasingly accurate grammar in our writing lessons. The children will learn to plan, draft and edit their work, building foundations for effective communication. Speaking and listening are woven throughout the curriculum, helping the children to express ideas, collaborate thoughtfully and develop their own voice.
Maths
Our Maths curriculum strengthens children’s understanding of number, calculation and problem‑solving. We will deepen our knowledge of place value, practise efficient written and mental methods, and apply learning to real‑life contexts. We explore multiplication and division facts, fractions, measurement, geometry and statistics, always encouraging children to reason, make connections and explain their thinking. By the end of Year 3, pupils are confident mathematicians who enjoy tackling challenges.
In preparation for the Multiplication Check in Year 4, we will spend lots of time practicing our times tables. Children can use the following websites at home to build their fluency:
Times Tables Rockstars (children will be given their own login details)
Science
Our science is hands‑on, investigative and full of discovery. Children develop key scientific enquiry skills such as observing, predicting, classifying, measuring and drawing conclusions. Our topics include:
- Plants — exploring functions of roots, stems and leaves, and investigating what plants need to grow.
- Animals Including Humans — learning about nutrition, skeletons and muscles.
- Rocks and Soils — comparing rock types, testing properties and understanding fossil formation.
- Light — discovering how light travels, shadows form and reflections work.
- Forces and Magnets — investigating pushes, pulls, friction and magnetic attraction.
These units build curiosity and help children understand the world around them through practical enquiry.
History
Our History curriculum brings the past to life through stories, artefacts and enquiry. Children develop chronological understanding, learn to ask thoughtful questions and use evidence to form conclusions. Year 3 explores:
- Ancient Romans — daily life, engineering, beliefs and the impact of Roman Britain.
- Ancient Egypt — pharaohs, pyramids, mummification and the significance of the Nile.
- The Plague — understanding events, causes and consequences through historical sources.
These topics help children recognise how civilisations have shaped the world and how historians learn about the past.
Geography
In Geography, children develop key map‑reading skills, use atlases and digital mapping tools. They will also learn to describe physical and human features of places. Our Year 3 units include:
- Mapping — grid references, symbols, compass directions and fieldwork.
- Earthquakes — understanding tectonic plates, natural hazards and their impact on communities.
- Italy — exploring European geography, climate, culture and regional differences.
Through these topics, pupils build a strong sense of place and develop curiosity about the wider world.
RE
Following the Religious Education Directory, we will explain key teachings of Jesus, recognise how Scripture guides our choices, and describe the significance of prayer, sacraments, and Church life. We will learn to make links between faith and daily living, show respect for others, and understand how Christians are called to love, serve, and follow Christ.
Other Subjects
In addition to the subjects listed above, we will explore our creativity through art, design and technology, and music, developing practical skills and confidence in expressing our ideas. We will build physical fitness and teamwork in PE, learn to care for ourselves and others through PSHE. The children will also begin their journey into Latin, building strong foundations in vocabulary, grammar and etymology. Latin enriches our curriculum by deepening cultural knowledge and supporting literacy across subjects.
Year 3 is an exciting year and we will be sure to celebrate each child’s achievements, nurture their wellbeing and encourage them to take pride in their progress.
Miss Cattermole
Class Teacher
