Welcome to the Year 4 Page
We are really looking forward to a fantastic year ahead and getting to know both you and your children. Year 4 is an exciting year, with plenty of opportunities for children to develop confidence, independence and a love of learning. We have an engaging curriculum planned, filled with exciting topics, practical activities and memorable experiences. Our aim is to help every child feel safe, happy and successful while encouraging them to achieve their very best.
We value strong relationships with children and families and believe that working together is the best way to support learning and wellbeing. We are always happy to help and answer any questions. We look forward to celebrating your child's achievements, watching their confidence grow and making this a successful, rewarding and enjoyable year for everyone.
Meet the Team
Mr Stuart Griggs
Year 4 Hawthorn Class Teacher / History Lead
History has always been a particular interest of mine, and I have greatly enjoyed contributing to the development of our school curriculum, ensuring that learning is meaningful, memorable and exciting for all children. I love seeing pupils make connections in their learning and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Outside of school, I enjoy music and film, as well as spending time with our new dog, Jet, who keeps life busy and entertaining. Elburton is a very special place to work, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a supportive and caring school community.
- stuart.griggs@elburtonprimary.co.uk
Miss Natalie Jones
Year 4 Teacher /PE Lead
One of my greatest passions is sport, and I love encouraging children to develop confidence, teamwork and a lifelong enjoyment of being active. I am particularly proud of the wide range of sporting events and extra-curricular opportunities we offer at Elburton, which allow children to discover new interests, challenge themselves and celebrate success.
Seeing children grow in confidence and achieve things they did not think possible is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. Elburton is a wonderful place to work, and I feel very fortunate to be part of such a supportive and dedicated school community.
- natalie.jones@elburtonprimary.co.uk
Mrs Abi Mckee
I am proud to have been part of the Elburton School community for the past 14 years. During this time, I have taught in both Year 4 and Year 5, building many wonderful relationships with children and families along the way.
Reading has always been a particular passion of mine, and I am dedicated to helping children discover a lifelong love of books. Over the years, I have enjoyed leading our popular Book Club and, more recently, launching the Reading Champions initiative, which has provided even more opportunities for children to share and celebrate their reading experiences.
One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is seeing children grow in confidence and develop a genuine enthusiasm for learning. I am committed to creating a supportive and inspiring environment where every child feels encouraged to achieve their best. Elburton is a truly special place to work, and I feel fortunate to be part of such a caring and vibrant school community.
- abigail.mckee@elburtonprimary.co.uk
Mrs Helen Poole
Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Music is a special interest of mine, and I love being involved in school performances. The Christmas Carol Concert is always a highlight of the year and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the children's talents. Elburton is a fantastic place to work, and I feel very fortunate to be part of such a caring school community.
- helen.poole@elburtonprimary.co.uk
Keeping in Touch
We value strong partnerships between home and school and believe that regular communication helps children to thrive.
If you have any questions, concerns or information that may help us support your child, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
How we communicate
- Class Dojo will be used to share class updates, reminders and celebrations.
- Important whole-school information will be sent via e mail.
- Teachers can be contacted via email using the addresses listed above.
- Please contact the school office regarding absences, appointments or changes to collection arrangements.
We aim to respond to messages as promptly as possible during the school week. If a matter is urgent, please contact the school office directly.
Thank you for working in partnership with us. We greatly value the support of our Year 4 families.
Learning in Year 4
At Elburton Primary School, we follow a carefully planned and ambitious curriculum that is fully aligned with the National Curriculum. Our curriculum has been designed to ensure that children build knowledge and skills progressively as they move through the school, helping them to know more, remember more and achieve more.
The Long-Term Overview provides an outline of the learning that children will experience throughout the year across all curriculum subjects. Each topic has been carefully selected and sequenced to build upon previous learning, make meaningful links across subjects and deepen children’s understanding of the world around them.
We encourage parents to explore the overview to gain an understanding of the exciting learning opportunities planned for Year 4 and how these fit within our wider whole-school curriculum journey. Throughout the year, children will revisit key knowledge and concepts to strengthen their understanding and support long-term memory.
Year 4 Long Term Overview
Year 4 Expectations
What Are We Learning This Term?
Our Termly Overview provides a snapshot of the learning your child will be covering this term across the curriculum. It outlines the key topics, texts and areas of study that will be explored in class, helping you to understand what your child is learning and how you can support them at home.
The overview sits within our carefully planned whole-school curriculum and shows how the learning for this term builds on previous knowledge while preparing children for future learning. We encourage parents to take a look and use it as a starting point for conversations about learning at home.
Year 4 Autumn Term Overview
PE Information
PE Days
- Indoor Games: Tuesday (Hawthorn and Hazel)
- Indoor Games: Wednesday (Hawthorn and Hazel)
Please ensure that children come to school wearing their PE kit on PE days and are ready to take part in all activities.
PE Kit
Children should wear:
- White PE t-shirt
- Navy blue shorts
- White socks
- Elburton PE hoodie (available through the PTA)
- Navy blue tracksuit bottoms during colder weather
- Suitable sports trainers that provide good support
On indoor PE days, children may wish to wear tracksuit bottoms over their shorts when travelling to and from school. These can be removed for PE and put back on afterwards if needed.
For health and safety reasons:
- Earrings should be small stud earrings only.
- Children should not wear nose piercings or other jewellery to school.
- Watches and jewellery remain the responsibility of the child.
- Long hair must be tied back for all PE lessons.
Home Learning
In Year 4, regular home learning plays an important role in helping children build confidence, practise key skills and develop greater independence.
Children are expected to:
- Read at home at least five times each week, recording their reading in their reading record.
- Practise weekly spellings, linked to the Year 4 National Curriculum spelling patterns and statutory word lists.
- Learn and practise times tables regularly, developing quick recall of multiplication and division facts.
- Complete a maths, English or topic homework.
We encourage children to complete little and often, as regular practice has the greatest impact on progress. Thank you for your continued support at home. Working together helps every child develop the skills and confidence needed to be successful in school.
Reading
In Year 4, we support children in developing:
- Fluency – reading with confidence, expression and appropriate pace.
- Vocabulary – understanding and using a wide range of words and language.
- Comprehension – discussing, analysing and responding thoughtfully to what they have read.
- Reading Stamina – sustaining concentration and enjoying longer, more challenging texts.
To support your child, please:
- Encourage your child to read at home regularly, ideally at least five times each week.
- Sign their reading record each time they read.
- Discuss books together by asking questions about characters, themes, events, vocabulary and the author's choices.
- Encourage your child to explain their opinions and support them with evidence from the text.
Reading books are carefully matched to your child's reading ability and are reviewed regularly. Children are assessed throughout the year and book levels are updated to ensure they continue to make strong progress. Reading books are checked regularly and changed when children are ready for a new book.
As children move through Key Stage 2, developing a regular reading habit becomes increasingly important. Reading widely helps to improve vocabulary, comprehension, writing skills and confidence across the curriculum.
The Accelerated Reader Program works by identifying a child’s ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) which is a selection of books that will not only match their ability, but will also challenge them and develop their vocabulary.
Each child takes an online comprehension test in order to determine their ZPD. Children will be directed to choose books from the class library that fall within this range. When they have finished the book, they will take a short, electronic quiz that assesses their understanding. It also enables teachers to closely monitor individual reading progress and ensure that children are selecting books that are challenging enough to meet their individual needs. Teachers will have meaningful discussions about a child’s reading: what they have learnt and how we can help them to develop.
Children are encouraged to read through an award system linked to Accelerated Reader which monitors the challenge, quizzes as well as number of words children are reading.
To access a parents guide on the scheme please click on the link below.
Parents guide to Accelerated Reader
AR Bookfinder
You can help your child choose books that are both interesting and enjoyable with AR Book Finder.
We have attached a guide to this for your information.
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
In Year 4, children continue to develop their spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) skills to help them become confident and effective writers. Throughout the year, pupils revisit and build on key grammar concepts, learn how to use a wide range of punctuation accurately, and develop strategies to improve their spelling.
Children take part in daily Read Write Inc. spelling sessions, which provide structured teaching of spelling patterns, rules and strategies to support accurate spelling in their independent writing. SPaG is taught through dedicated lessons and is also embedded across the curriculum, helping children apply their knowledge in their reading and writing.
Regular practice, discussion and feedback support pupils as they prepare for the end of Key Stage 2 and the transition to secondary school.
On this page, you will find information, resources and useful links to help support your child's SPaG learning at home.
INSERT Y4 Spellings
Maths
Regular, short practice helps children develop confidence and fluency in maths. In Year 4, a key focus is learning all multiplication tables up to 12 × 12 in preparation for the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC), which takes place nationally in June.
Master Times Tables
- Practise multiplication and division facts up to 12 × 12.
- Aim for quick and accurate recall of facts.
- Use Times Table Rock Stars regularly to build speed and confidence.
- Focus on the tables your child finds most challenging.
Use Maths in Everyday Life
- Count money and work out change.
- Tell the time and read timetables.
- Measure ingredients when cooking or baking.
- Compare prices, weights, lengths and capacity.
Talk About Maths Ask questions such as:
- How do you know?
- Can you explain your thinking?
- Is there another way?
- What pattern can you spot?
Useful Websites
- Times Table Rock Stars
- Hit the Button
- Topmarks Maths
- White Rose Maths
Keep It Positive
- Praise effort and perseverance.
- Encourage children to learn from mistakes.
- Celebrate progress and improvements in recall speed.
- Build confidence through regular practice rather than long sessions.
Little and often is best. Just 5-10 minutes each day can make a significant difference. Regular times table practice throughout the year will help children feel confident and well prepared for the Multiplication Tables Check and support their wider mathematical learning.
Celebrating Success
At Elburton, we believe that recognising effort, achievement and positive behaviour helps children grow in confidence and develop a love of learning.
Throughout the week, children are celebrated through:
- Positive praise for demonstrating our school values and learning behaviours.
- Class Dojo points awarded for effort, resilience, kindness, independence and following the Elburton Charter.
- Sharing outstanding work and achievements with classmates and other members of staff.
- Opportunities to celebrate successes in class and during whole-school assemblies.
Each Friday, we celebrate a Star of the Week. This award recognises a child who has shown something special during the week, whether that is:
- A positive attitude towards learning
- Excellent behaviour and role-modelling
- Outstanding effort or perseverance
- Kindness and respect towards others
- Significant progress or achievement
- Living out our Elburton Charter values
We love celebrating the successes of every child and helping them to feel proud of their achievements, both in and out of school.
Useful Learning Links
Closing message
We are looking forward to an exciting and successful year in Year 4. This is an important year as children continue to develop their independence, confidence and responsibility as learners, while also preparing for new challenges such as the Multiplication Tables Check.
We value the strong partnership between home and school and believe that by working together, we can help every child thrive both academically and personally. Throughout the year, we look forward to celebrating achievements, building confidence and creating many memorable learning experiences.
Thank you for your continued support. We are looking forward to sharing this journey with you and can't wait to see all that our Year 4 children will achieve this year.