Reading at Home

Regular reading remains one of the most effective ways to support learning in Year 6. Children benefit from reading a wide range of texts, including fiction, non‑fiction, newspapers and poetry. Talking about what they have read helps develop the deeper comprehension skills needed at this stage, such as identifying themes, discussing characters’ motivations and exploring new vocabulary. Encouraging your child to read little and often builds confidence and stamina, both of which are valuable for SATs and for secondary school. Please ensure your child's daily reading is recorded in their individual reading diary (and they should bring it into school every day).

Writing and Spelling

Year 6 children are expected to write with increasing accuracy, control and maturity. You can support this at home by encouraging writing for real purposes, such as keeping a journal, writing letters, creating stories or helping with practical tasks like lists or instructions. Talking about new words, noticing interesting language in books and practising weekly spellings all help strengthen writing skills. Encouraging your child to proof‑read their work also builds independence and attention to detail.

Maths and Number Fluency

Maths in Year 6 covers a wide range of topics, including fractions, decimals, percentages, algebra and multi‑step problem solving. Secure number fluency makes a big difference to confidence, so practising times tables, mental calculations and number facts at home is extremely helpful. Short, regular practice is more effective than long sessions. Talking through how your child solved a problem helps them develop reasoning skills, which are a key part of the Year 6 curriculum.

Preparing for SATs

SATs take place in May and give children the chance to show what they have learned throughout Key Stage 2. While SATs are an important milestone, we encourage children to approach them with confidence and a calm mindset. You can support your child by helping them maintain healthy habits for example: good sleep, daily reading, balanced homework time and opportunities to unwind. If your child completes practice papers, focus on celebrating effort rather than scores. Encouraging a positive attitude helps children feel ready to do their best.

Supporting Independence

Year 6 is an important year for developing independence as children prepare for secondary school. Encouraging them to organise their belongings, manage homework, pack their own bag and take responsibility for their timetable helps build confidence and resilience. Small steps at home make a big difference to how prepared they feel for the next stage.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

As children grow more independent, they may experience new emotions or worries. Encouraging open conversations at home helps them feel comfortable sharing how they feel. Everyday habits such as rest, play and open conversation all contribute to emotional wellbeing. If you ever have concerns about your child’s emotional health, please speak with us so we can work together to support them.