Year 3

At Holy Trinity C of E Primary School, our Year 3 curriculum encourages children to become inquisitive investigators, imaginative storytellers and increasingly confident learners. Through six engaging topics, children explore ancient civilisations, investigate the forces shaping our planet and consider how people’s choices can make a difference.

• Myths, Monsters and Ancient Greeks – Children discover ancient Greek life, gods and goddesses, myths and legends, and the origins of the Olympic Games. They locate European countries, investigate how skeletons and muscles support movement, and develop their creativity by making ancient Greek scrolls.

• Behind the Mask: What Makes a Hero? – Children explore heroes and villains in stories and learn about real people who have helped change the world. They consider characters’ choices, investigate light and shadows, explore how music creates mood, and use mechanisms to make a moving monster.

• Before History: A Stone Age Adventure – Children investigate how life in Britain changed through the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages. They use archaeological evidence to explore homes, tools and settlements, discover Stonehenge and Skara Brae, create prehistoric paintings, and investigate forces, surfaces and magnets.

• When the Earth Roars – Children explore the layers of the Earth, volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis, including the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and its impact on Pompeii. They compare rocks and soils, investigate how fossils form, learn about Mary Anning’s discoveries, and develop construction skills through designing product packaging.

• The River’s Journey – Children follow rivers from source to mouth, explore the water cycle and investigate how rivers have supported communities through history. Maps, fieldwork and a river visit help them understand river features, flooding and pollution, while botanical drawing and musical soundscapes develop their observational and creative skills.

• The Great Food Adventure – Children discover where food comes from, explore food miles and Fairtrade, and learn how a varied diet supports growth and health. They investigate James Lind’s work with citrus fruit, explore food labels, discover how plants obtain what they need, and develop cooking skills by preparing a seasonal tart.

Throughout the year, stories, practical investigations, themed days, visits and creative projects bring learning to life. French introduces everyday vocabulary, while music, PE, swimming, computing and online safety develop children’s communication, physical, creative and digital skills. RE explores Christian, Muslim and Sikh beliefs and how people express their faith, while PSHE and No Outsiders promote kindness, respect, inclusion, wellbeing and personal safety.