National Portrait Gallery - Year 4

 

On Friday 30th January, the Year 4 children will be visiting the National Portrait Gallery for a day of creative discovery and learning.

During the trip, pupils will experience a rich collection of portraits created by a wide range of artists across different time periods. They will explore how artists use different media—such as painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and mixed materials—to tell stories about people and the times they lived in. This will help children understand how art has changed over history and how it reflects culture, identity, and important events.

The visit links closely to our art and history curriculum, encouraging children to look closely, ask questions, and share their ideas. It also supports key skills such as observation, critical thinking, and vocabulary development, while inspiring creativity and curiosity.

Please complete the permission form found here by the 20th January 2026.

WILD Passport Sessions – KS2 Update

 All KS2 classes have now completed two WILD Passport sessions this term, focusing on Nature and Shelter. In the Spring term, each class will take part in two further sessions (one per half term), with the themes Rope and Tools. You can see examples of activities on the year group blogs.

Spring Term Session Dates

Year 3

• WB 5 January 2026 – Tue: Ash | Wed: Cherry | Thu: Cedar

• WB 23 February 2026 – Tue: Cedar | Wed: Cherry | Thu: Ash
  Year 4

• WB 12 January 2026 – Tue: Maple | Wed: Willow | Thu: Elm

• WB 2 March 2026 – Tue: Elm | Wed: Willow | Thu: Maple
  Year 5

• WB 2 February 2026 – Tue: Larch | Wed: Redwood | Thu: Birch

• WB 16 March 2026 – Tue: Redwood | Wed: Larch | Thu: Birch
  Year 6

• WB 26 January 2026 – Tue: Lime | Wed: Almond | Thu: Oak

• WB 23 March 2026 – Tue: Oak | Wed: Lime | Thu: Almond
  
  

Any changes due to school events will be shared by class teachers via the year group blogs. Dates are also available on the school calendar, which is updated as needed.

Clothing Reminder

On their WILD Passport day, children must have:

• Long trousers

• A change of shoes

• A warm coat

We strongly recommend that this clothing remains in school to avoid having to remember session days.

In wet weather, children will need waterproof trousers and a waterproof jacket. In cold weather, please ensure children also have an extra jumper, extra socks, and hats and gloves.

WILD Passport sessions take place in all weather. As we say in Forest School,

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”

Sessions will continue in all weathers, with timings, activities or location adjusted where necessary to ensure children’s comfort and safety.

Maple Swimming Consent

 

Year 4 2025-26 Swimming Lessons

In Year 4 the children will be having swimming lessons at the Central Park Leisure Centre. 

All parents/carers, please complete Google Form.

Each class will have one half an hour session each week in a block. 

Maple: Commencing in Spring. Date TBC

Maple class should get roughly 10 sessions each (STC) which will ensure they achieve the swimming requirements of the national curriculum in KS2 which are to:

- swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 meters
- use a range of strokes effectively
- perform a safe self-rescue in different water based situations

The children will leave school in the afternoon, accompanied by Year 4 staff, and we will make our way to Central Park Leisure Centre on foot. We will return to school before the end of the school day.

Your child will need:

• Swimming costume or swimming trunks (no bikinis please!)

• A towel

• A named bag to carry and store their items in

• A swimming hat 

• Goggles (not essential, but can be worn if preferred)

Children should come to school in their uniform and will get changed when we arrive at Central Park Leisure Centre. Please note, no aerosols or powders should be given to children, as these can cause problems for children with asthma.

All children, regardless of ability, will be taking part in swimming lessons as they are a National Curriculum requirement. Children will only be exempt from lessons with a signed and dated doctor’s note or certificate. 

If you have any questions or queries about this or any other swimming related issue, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Year 4 team via year4@broadford.havering.sch.uk.

 

 Here are the spellings for the WC 5th January 2026

Year 4 Spellings WC: 05.01.26

 

	A	B	C
1	misspell	incorrect	undo
2	mistreat	disappear	unfair
3	disagree	unhappy	misplace
4	disregard	mismatch	inactive
5	inappropriate	incomplete	dislike
6	incomplete	unfair
7	unfair	mislead
8	undo	misbehave
9	mistrust	inhuman
10	incorrect	undo

Rockin' TTRS Results

What an absolutely epic Autumn 2 we've had on Times Tables Rock Stars! The competition has been fierce, the fingers have been flying, and the numbers have been... well, rockin'!

A huge, thundering round of applause must go to Willow Class! You absolutely smashed the Autumn 2 battles, winning all but one of them! That's an incredible achievement, showing fantastic dedication and some seriously speedy times tables recall. Mrs Jennings is bursting with pride, and she's already planning a special reward to celebrate your triumph when the time is right. Get ready for something fantastic, Willow Class – you've earned it!

Weekend Warrior Reminder!

Speaking of fantastic achievements, don't forget our weekly TTRS battles! Every single weekend, our classes go head-to-head to see who can earn the most points and become the Times Tables Champions.

Parents and Children! These weekend battles aren't just for bragging rights – there's always a brilliant prize up for grabs for the winning class. It's the perfect way to sharpen those maths skills, have some fun, and help your class scoop a reward! So, get logged in, hit the Garage, play those Studio games, and earn those points. Every correct answer makes a difference!

A Big Shout Out!

Finally, a massive "good luck" to Year 4 classes and the teachers who lead the charge: Miss Brimmer in Elm Class, Miss Bell in Maple Class, and, of course, the victorious Mrs Jennings in Willow Class! Let the friendly competition continue!

Keep on rockin', everyone!