Year Four

Welcome to Year Four!

Year Four has three classes:

Blackman Class taught by Mrs Samantha Potter

Doherty Class taught by Mrs Libby Forbes - Year Leader

Larwood Class taught by Mr Dave Revers

The three classes are also supported by:

Mrs Jenny O'Regan - (Higher Level Teaching Assistant)
Mrs Steph Bosdet (Specialist Music Teacher)
Mr Jack Elkington & Miss Hannah Bond (Specialist Sports Coaches)

About Year Four:

In Year Four at Priory Rise School, we strive to make learning enjoyable through immersive teaching approaches. We are extremely proud of the rich, exciting and varied curriculum we offer, with lessons that are hands-on, practical and engaging wherever possible. We consistently encourage the development of a growth mindset, and our children are motivated by challenge and eager to learn.

Our pupils benefit from high-quality, first teaching from all members of staff. Throughout the year, we support children in becoming the best versions of themselves by actively promoting and modelling our school ethos and values. This approach nurtures independence and helps prepare them confidently for the transition into Upper Key Stage 2.

Each topic is enhanced by a memorable experience day designed to inspire curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. For example, in Autumn 2, the children will take part in an exciting Victorian Day.

To see what your child will be learning each term, please click on the links below.

Autumn Curriculum Overview

Spring Curriculum Overview

Summer Curriculum Overview

Newsletters:

Please find our latest newsletter below:

Spring (1) 2026 Newsletter

Autumn (2) 2025 Newsletter

Autumn (1) 2025 Newsletter

Routines of Year Four

PE Days

PE and Games in Year Three take place on the following days:

Blackman	Wednesday	Thursday
Doherty	Tuesday	Thursday
Larwood	Tuesday	Wednesday

Please ensure your child comes to school in their full Priory Rise PE kit on these days and ensure all clothing is clearly named.

Library Days

Please send your child’s library book back to school so they can choose another from the range of wonderful stories available in our school Library.

We visit the library on the following days:

Blackman	Monday
Doherty	Alternate Thursdays
Larwood	Alternate Thursdays

Homework

In Year Four, homework is set every Monday on Google Classroom and is due in the following Monday. All tasks and instructions will be shared online so children and families can easily access them at home.

Each week, children are expected to:

📖 Read regularly at home, at least three times a week.
✍️ Record their reading in their red homeschool link book, including a short summary of what they have read and an adult’s signature.

The red homeschool link books should be brought into school every Wednesday to be checked.

✖️ Practise their Times Tables each week, using games, songs, or online tools such as Times Tables Rock Stars.
🧩 Complete one additional task each week. This will link to either Maths, English, or an area of the wider curriculum (for example, History, Geography, or Science).

Completing homework regularly helps children to build confidence, independence, and fluency in their learning. We appreciate families supporting their children with these important routines at home.

Reading in Year Four

In Year Four, we believe that reading plays a vital role in every child’s learning journey. Reading is taught through daily whole-class Master Readers sessions, which allow children to explore and enjoy a high-quality text in depth over a six-week period.

Our weekly Master Readers structure is as follows:

Monday – Whole-class shared reading of the text
Tuesday – Book Club discussions
Wednesday – Modelled comprehension
Thursday – Independent comprehension activities
Friday – Review and reflection on learning

Shared reading takes place daily, and children are regularly encouraged to read for pleasure using books from the classroom reading corner and the school library. In Year Four, we expect children to read age-appropriate texts at least three times a week at home and record this in their home-school link book for their teacher to review.

Recommended reads for Year Four are shared in our termly newsletters, and examples can be found below. We also encourage children to read a wide range of genres, including stories, poetry, newspaper reports, letters and a variety of non-fiction texts, to develop strong and confident reading skills.

Expertly selected books for 9 and 10 year old children

Best Books for Year 4: Recommended Booklist for Ages 8-9

Year 4 reading list for children aged 8-9 | School Reading List

Writing in Year Four

In Year Four, writing is taught every day and is based around high-quality texts that help inspire and guide the children. We use a wide range of books and materials, including stories, non-fiction texts, picture books and Ancient Greek myths. These texts provide strong examples of different writing styles and help children understand how writers develop ideas.

During lessons, teachers model how to plan and write effectively through shared and guided writing, explaining their thinking step by step. Children are then given time to practise these skills in their own writing. To keep learning exciting and meaningful, children are inspired by a variety of stimuli such as drama, music, film clips, poetry and news items.

Throughout the year, children learn about the features of different types of writing and begin to think carefully about who they are writing for and why. Spelling, grammar and punctuation are taught clearly in focused lessons and then reinforced during writing activities so that children can apply these skills confidently and accurately.

Writing Expectations in Year Four

Spelling Lists - Years Three & Four

Maths in Year Four

Maths, alongside English, is taught daily in Year Four. Throughout the year, children develop their understanding of a wide range of mathematical concepts, including place value; column methods for addition, subtraction and multiplication; the bus stop method for division; different units of measure; coordinates; fractions; decimals; and shapes and their properties. In Year Four, children are given sufficient time to fully explore and master each area of learning, ensuring they develop a secure and in-depth understanding before moving on. A strong emphasis is placed on fluency, helping children to work confidently and efficiently with numbers.

There is a particular focus on multiplication and times tables in Year Four, in line with the Government’s Multiplication Tables Check, which is administered in the Spring term. Children are supported in learning and recalling their times tables accurately and quickly through regular practice in lessons and additional 10-minute maths sessions throughout the week. These short, focused sessions help embed key knowledge, strengthen number sense and support long-term memory.

Below we have included the methods we use within Year Four Maths.

Year Four Maths Overview

Priory Rise Calculation Policy

Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)

In Year Four, all children across England take part in the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC). This is a short, online assessment set by the Department for Education and usually takes place in June. The check is designed to assess how quickly and accurately pupils can recall their times tables facts up to 12 × 12.

The MTC helps teachers identify children’s strengths and any areas where further support or practice may be needed. At school, times tables are practised regularly in fun and engaging ways, and children are encouraged to continue practising at home. Using resources such as Times Tables Rock Stars, along with other games and activities, can really help build speed and confidence.

If you would like more information about the Multiplication Tables Check, please see the link below.

MTC Evening for Parents

Enrichment in Year Four

Throughout Year Four, children take part in a range of exciting opportunities that enrich their learning and inspire curiosity. Where possible, we invite visitors into school to share their experiences and expertise, helping to broaden the children’s understanding of the world.

In Design and Technology, for example, children learn about healthy eating by exploring and making crudités. As part of this topic, a professional chef visits the school to teach children about food safety, hygiene and basic preparation skills, providing a valuable hands-on experience.

In the Summer term, Year Four children also have the opportunity to attend a two-night residential visit to the Frontier Centre in Irthlingborough, where they take part in adventurous activities such as abseiling, high ropes and canoeing. This experience helps children develop confidence, independence and teamwork skills.

Please click on the link below to view the full range of enrichment opportunities available this year.

Year Four Enrichment