Year 3 Curriculum Summary for Parents Term 1 • 2026/27
This information represents a summary of plans for the term. Please understand that all plans are flexible; there is always the possibility that fewer (or more) topics will be covered than those stated.
Subject
English
Topics Pupils will develop their writing skills through a range of text types, including descriptive narratives, non-chronological reports, and diary entries. They will learn how to use powerful adjectives, varied sentence types, and accurate punctuation to improve clarity and engage their readers. Students will also begin to adapt their writing for different purposes and audiences, including using a more formal tone when appropriate.
Maths
In maths, the children will be exploring place value, consolidating their knowledge of 3 and 4 digit numbers. The children will be developing formal written methods to help them tackle addition and subtraction problems, as well as reinforcing their existing mental strategies. The children will learn more of their times tables and focus on improving their fluency with the 4 and 8 times table, for example. They will also improve their conceptualisation of division.
Science
As scientists, the children will use their senses to make scientific observations, whilst learning how to record their findings in a scientific manner. They will develop their understanding of light, looking at how light travels and how we are able to see light.
French
All About Me and My World: Pupils will begin by revisiting key greetings and introductions, enabling them to confidently greet others and say their names in French. Pupils will also learn numbers to 31, the days of the week and months of the year to talk about birthdays and important dates, while building their classroom vocabulary through common objects and indefinite articles. They will then describe items colours using simple adjective agreement for colours., The term will include Christmas-themed songs, stories and cultural activities.
Kiswahili
This term learners explore and describe the world around them using everyday Swahili. They will learn the names of common environmental features, identify different types of living environments and their unique characteristics, and build vocabulary related to places such as towns, villages, parks, and other locations. Learners will also develop the ability to connect different types of places with their correct names and describe their surroundings, enabling them to communicate more confidently about where they live and the environment around them.
Spanish (SFC)
School Life: Pupils will recap personal information and learn to name and describe classroom objects using colours. They will also develop their communication skills by understanding and using simple classroom instructions in Spanish.
Thematic
In thematics, the children will start with the theme, ’Through Different Eyes’, with a focus on the key question, ’Why do people see the world in different ways?’ They will then move onto ‘Feel the Force’, where they will explore the different forces which shape our planet.
Computing
This term, Pupils will explore how computer hardware and software work together. They will develop an understanding of algorithms, sequences and programs, before being introduced to programming languages through Scratch. Pupils will use Scratch to explore and control simulations, applying real-world examples to understand how different parts of a robot can be programmed. They will also learn about using the internet safely, including navigating menus and creating secure passwords. Throughout the term, Pupils will become familiar with common software and apps and apply their skills across a range of subjects.
Music
This term begins with a skills & literacy assessment to ensure that pupils can navigate a 5 line staff and are ready to be introduced to basic violin skills. Before diving in on the violin, we prepare for the Year 3 and Year 4 production, focusing on singing in 2 parts, lyric memorisation, and accompanying movements. We finish the term by formally starting on violin skills and techniques.
Games
Children will be introduced to the core skills and develop their understanding of cricket, football and athletics. They will be able to develop their team play and communication in inter-school fixtures and festivals.
P.E.
Students will begin to understand how fitness supports athletic performance, developing stamina, strength, endurance, flexibility, agility, balance and coordination. They will work towards improving personal bests in 50m, 75m, 100m and 200m sprints, 800m running, jumping, throwing and relay events, while beginning to refine their techniques.
Swimming
Children will learn basic stroke techniques in Freestyle and Backstroke while incorporating dives/backstroke starts, turns, and finishing skills. Being me in my world – the key topics covered in this puzzle piece include looking at our achievements and valuing ourselves and others. Pupils will discuss how to make other people feel welcome, as well as what they think a nightmare and dream school would look like (including rules, rewards & sanctions and who to go to if they feel they need help). This unit culminates in the class discussing a Classroom Charter to aid positive learning.
P.S.H.E.
Celebrating differences - the key topics covered include families and their importance in our lives. We try to emphasise that there are lots of different families ie immediate family, school family etc. Pupils will also discuss conflicts (such as falling out with friends / bullying) and how that makes us feel but most importantly what we should do about it / how we can help resolve issues by being an ‘upstander’ and seeking out trusted adults.