Shirehampton Year 4
Welcome to Year 4 at Shirehampton Primary School.
During Year 4, children continue to build upon their knowledge and skills across the curriculum while becoming increasingly confident and independent learners.
Children are encouraged to challenge themselves, take greater responsibility for their learning and use what they already know to make connections and develop a deeper understanding of new concepts.
Our Year 4 classes are Antananarivo and Timbuktu.
Meet the Year 4 Team
Antananarivo Class
Mr Nigel Ellway
Timbuktu Class
Mrs Rochelle David
Miss Martyna Hillar supports across year 3 and 4.
Our Year 4 team works together to provide an engaging and supportive learning environment where children are encouraged to be curious, resilient and increasingly independent.
Learning in Year 4
Children in Year 4 follow a broad and ambitious curriculum which builds progressively upon their previous learning.
Reading, writing and mathematics remain central to children's learning, alongside Science, History, Geography, Art and Design, Design and Technology, Computing, Spanish, Music, PE, Religious Education and PSHE.
Throughout Year 4, children are encouraged to develop their vocabulary, explain and justify their thinking, make connections between different areas of learning and apply their knowledge and skills with increasing independence.
Children continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of Spanish as part of the Key Stage 2 curriculum.
Reading
Reading continues to be an important part of learning throughout Year 4.
Children develop their fluency, vocabulary and comprehension through regular reading and discussion of a broad range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
Children are encouraged to think carefully about what they read, retrieve and summarise information, make inferences and predictions, explore the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary and discuss how authors use language.
We encourage children to read regularly at home and to develop their own interests and preferences as readers.
Talking about books remains really valuable. Asking children about characters, events, new vocabulary and their opinions helps them develop a deeper understanding of what they read.
What We Are Learning
Our Year 4 curriculum builds progressively upon children's previous learning and provides opportunities for them to deepen their knowledge and develop their skills across the full range of curriculum subjects.
You can find an overview of the learning planned for Year 4 below.
📄 Year 4 Curriculum Overview 2026–27
Multiplication Tables
Developing quick and accurate recall of multiplication and division facts is an important part of mathematics in Year 4.
By the end of Year 4, children are expected to know their multiplication tables up to 12 × 12 and the related division facts.
Regular, short periods of practice at home can make a significant difference to children's fluency and confidence.
Children in Year 4 also take part in the statutory Multiplication Tables Check during the summer term. The check is designed to identify whether children can fluently recall their multiplication tables.
We support children in preparing for the check through their everyday mathematics teaching and regular opportunities to practise multiplication facts. We want children to develop secure multiplication knowledge that will support their future mathematical learning rather than simply learn facts for the check.
Home Learning
Home learning in Year 4 supports children in consolidating important knowledge and developing positive, independent learning habits.
Children are encouraged to read regularly at home and practise their multiplication tables and key number facts.
Children may also be asked to practise spellings or complete other activities which consolidate or extend learning taking place in school.
We encourage short, regular practice rather than lengthy periods of additional work.
How You Can Help at Home
There are lots of simple ways you can support your child's learning in Year 4.
You can help by:
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Encouraging your child to read regularly
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Talking about books and discussing what they have read
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Exploring unfamiliar vocabulary together
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Practising multiplication tables and related division facts
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Practising spellings where appropriate
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Encouraging your child to tell the time and use money confidently
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Talking about what your child is learning at school
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Encouraging independence, organisation and responsibility for belongings
Everyday experiences such as cooking, shopping, travelling, playing games, visiting new places, exploring nature and talking about current events can also provide valuable opportunities for children to apply their learning.
Useful Information
PE Days
[Add current Year 4 PE days]
Reading
Children are encouraged to read regularly at home.
Please ensure that reading books and reading records are brought into school as requested by the class teacher.
Multiplication Tables
Regular multiplication table practice is particularly important during Year 4.
Children can practise their multiplication tables using:
→ Play Times Tables Rock Stars
What Children Need
Children should bring a named water bottle to school each day.
Please ensure that clothing and personal belongings are clearly named.
Children are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for organising and looking after their belongings.
Communication
Important year-group information and reminders will be shared with families through Arbor.
If you have a question about your child's learning or wellbeing, please speak to their class teacher. For non urgent matters you can email your child's class teacher. These email addresses are checked weekly during term time.
Mr Nigel Ellway- antananarivo@shirehampton-jun.bristol.sch.uk
Mrs Rochelle David- timbuktu@shirehampton-jun.bristol.sch.uk
For urgent matters or information relating to absence, please contact the school office.