At the Shepherd School, Year 3 is for children within the ages of 7 – 8 years old, and is the first year of Key Stage 2.

At this level, we strive to develop a whole child, considering conceptual understandings and life skills as important as academic knowledge. We still focus on phonics but more emphasis is on understanding and learning spelling rules. In maths, we use the column method and will learn the 3-, 4-, and 8-times tables.

Writing skills

In writing, we focus on creativity and writing styles; looking at settings, language style, and character within their writing. Your child will also study different genres of writing such as poetry and play scripts.

Maths

Maths in Year 3 has more of a times tables focus. Quick recall of the required 3, 4, 8, and 50 times-tables (as well as the 2, 5, and 10 times-tables they’ve already learned in Year 1 and 2) is important as they form the foundation for a large majority of the work the children will cover within the year.

The Cambridge Curriculum ‘mastery’ style of teaching concentrates on breadth of knowledge, and children will be encouraged to use their understanding of the new concepts to solve challenges to deepen their understanding.

Science

Science in Year 3 is engaging and fun. We learn about life processes, rocks, light, forces and magnets, and animals (including humans). How to work scientifically and write up their investigations in a more formal way — using predictions, methods, results and conclusions — is also a key part of this year’s science curriculum.

Identify issues

If a parent has concerns about his/her child’s reading or writing, parents are encouraged to talk to his/her teacher. Keeping an open dialogue with the school about your child and any concern you have will be speedily attended to.

Assessment

Assessment at this level is both formative and summative. At the end of Year 3, the children are expected to write the Cambridge Primary Progress tests, which are set by Cambridge. This offers an opportunity to review what has been learned during the year and allows time after the test for evaluation and feedback.