We know that children do best at school when they are supported at home. In order to have the greatest impact on their learning in school we ask that you focus on supporting your child to acquire the key skills for reading, writing and maths. Homework We know that children do best at school when they are supported at home. In order to have the greatest impact on their learning in school we ask that you focus on supporting your child to acquire the key skills for reading, writing and maths. Your child should read every night as we know that reading is the single most important skill for academic success. Children should also focus on learning the spelling patterns which are recorded each week in their home school diary and practising the ‘words we need to know’ for their year group. To support their maths, children should learn the KIRFs (Key Instant Recall Facts) for that half term. These are sent home each half term and are also outlined in the children’s home school diaries. They can also be found in the maths area on the website. All children should have a log in for TT Rockstars; daily practice of their times tables will help secure their knowledge and speed. Children are expected to know all their times tables, up to 12 x 12, by the end of year 4. In June, year 4 children, along with other year 4 children across the country, are required to complete a multiplication tables test which tests the children’s ability to recall random times tables questions within a set time limit (6 seconds per question). Reading should be recorded each night in children’s home school diary; the diary can also be used to send brief messages to your child’s class teacher – children should let their teacher know if there is a message in their diary. Our year 6 children have more formal homework in the spring and summer terms in preparation for their SATs and the transition to secondary school. The expectations for each year group are outlined below and can also be found in your child’s home school diary. 1/1 Expectations for each week Year 3 Reading - daily reading for approx. 15 minutes Spelling - weekly spelling task - searching the books read at home for words matching the weekly spelling pattern/ learning the list of 'Words We Need to Know' Maths - daily practice of the key skills (KIRFs) as outlined for each half term. Year 4 Reading - daily reading for approx. 15 minutes Spelling - weekly spelling task - searching the books read at home for words matching the weekly spelling pattern/ learning the list of 'Words We Need to Know' Maths - daily practice of the key skills (KIRFs) as outlined for each half term. Year 5 Reading - daily reading for approx. 15 minutes Spelling - weekly spelling task - searching the books read at home for words matching the weekly spelling pattern/ learning the list of 'Words We Need to Know' Maths - daily practice of the key skills (KIRFs) as outlined for each half term. Additional homework will also be set for those children attending 11+ clubs or receiving additional support Year 6 Reading - daily reading for approx. 15 minutes Spelling - weekly spelling task - searching the books read at home for words matching the weekly spelling pattern/ learning the list of 'Words We Need to Know' Maths - daily practice of the key skills (KIRFs) as outlined for each half term. Year 6 pupils will be given additional more formal homework in preparation for the SATs and transition to secondary school.

We are very proud to have our own indoor swimming pool here at Hamstel School. Children in years 3, 4 and 5 swim once a week for half the year. Swimming Swimming at Hamstel At Hamstel Junior School, we understand how important it is for our children to learn to swim. As our indoor swimming pool was forced to close at the end of July 2024 due to the extensive repairs needed, children in years 4 and 5 now have swimming lessons at Garon Park in the autumn term. Year 5 swim in the first half of the autumn term whilst year 4 swim in the second half of the term. Swimming Lessons When swimming lessons are provided as part of the curriculum, all children are expected to participate unless there is a medical reason to prevent this. If this is the case we must have a letter from you to confirm the reason. Children need a costume, a swimming hat and towel clearly marked with their name, in a waterproof bag. All children are expected to wear a swimming hat. This is to protect hair from damaging the pump and filters and also so that children’s hair will be drier on returning to the classroom. Please do not give your children talcum powder to bring in. The school has a supply of good quality hats for sale, priced at £2.50, that can be purchased via Arbor and collected from the office. If you are buying your own please do not buy red hats, unless your child suffers from a medical condition that warrants special care whilst in the pool e.g. asthma. Jewellery should not be worn. Ear studs are best left at home on swimming days, but if they are worn the child must be able to remove them as they will not be allowed to swim with them in. Useful Documents Swimming letter Autumn Term 2025 Letter from the CEO of Portico Academy Trust regarding the HJS swimming pool Letter about Distance Awards Guide for Parents & Carers Water & Swimming Safety Awards Outcome 1/1

Year 5 Letters Home Ofsted Framework - Letter from CEO Portico Academy Trust - 8.1.26 Spring Term Clubs - 2.12.25 Football Spring Term - 2.12.25 Christmas Production Costumes - 2.12.25 Christmas Discos 2025 - 21.11.25 Year 5 Christmas Production - 21.11.25 Christmas Jumper Day 2025 - 21.11.25 Scholastic Christmas Book Club - 14.11.25 Children In Need 2025 - 4.11.25 Cooking Autumn Term - 24.10.25 Hamstel Schools Pool letter from Portico Academy Trust - 21.10.25 Harvest Celebration - 10.10.25 Ancient Greek Day - 30.9.25 Ancient Greek Day Costume Ideas 30.9.25 Portico Academy Trust Attendance Letter - 26.9.25 Learning Conversations Autumn - 19.9.25 NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe - 19.9.25 Individual and Sibling Photographs - 17.9.25 Autumn Term Clubs 2025 - 4.9.25 Football at Hamstel Junior School - 4.9.25 NHS Flu Immunisation Guidance - 3.9.25 Flu Immunisation Letter - 3.9.25 Year 5 PG Film letter - 3.9.25 PE Kit Change - 2.9.25 First Day Back - 2.9.25

Year 3 Expected Standard of work This is an example of the standard if fiction text that a Year 3 pupil should be able to read and understand. We would expect that a Year 3 pupil would be able to read this text fluently and with expression. We would also expect that they would be able to answer the following type of questions; Questions about word meaning Which word - in lines 1-5 - means the same as well-known? Questions that ask you to extract information from the passage Where was the house that Tom lived in? Questions that ask you to summarise the text Describe what you know about Tom’s family. Questions that ask you to use the clues in the text to produce a reasoned answer Why did Tom’s secret worry him? Questions that ask you to use the text to make predictions Do you think Tom will stay with his mother all through the story? Explain your answer. Questions relating to the meaning of the whole text In what way does Jack differ in appearance from his brothers? Questions about the author’s choice of language Why did the author describe the wolves’ jaws as dripping? (Line 18) Questions that ask you to compare different parts of the text How you you think the brothers feel about their adventures? How do you think Tome feels about their adventures? 1/1 1/2

Across the year, we have a range of free activities that are offered by Hamstel Staff as well as those run by carefully chosen coaches that have a charge. Paid activities have varying prices that allow us to cover the cost of external coaches and extra resources. Clubs & Activities Across the year, we have a range of free activities that are offered by Hamstel Staff as well as those run by carefully chosen coaches that have a charge. Paid activities have varying prices that allow us to cover the cost of external coaches and extra resources. Spring Term Clubs Letter 2026 Football at Hamstel Junior School Autumn 2025 After School Clubs - Important Information Children should be collected promptly from the main entrance after their activity unless they have permission to return home unaccompanied. Children are expected to attend each week for the full session unless the office is informed by a parent/carer through a note, phone call or in person. Regular failure to inform the school of non-attendance could result in your child losing their place. Regular non-attendance or late collection from after school activities could also mean your child losing their place. Please note, if your child is not collected on time, a late pick up fee of £5 will be incurred for every 15 minutes until they are collected. Late collections from DASH If you know you will be late picking your child up at 4:30pm, please use the emergency contact number on Arbor for this club and inform the staff on duty. Your child should then be picked up at 5:00pm. The additional cost will be added to your Arbor account. Please inform the office if your child will be going home unaccompanied after DASH. Early Collection from DASH If you have booked your child in for the later session (5:00pm-5:45pm) but need to collect them early at 4:30pm, please call the emergency phone number for DASH to let the staff know. Please note, you will still be charged for the later session. Cancellation Please call the school office by 1pm if you need to cancel your child's place at DASH. Places cancelled after 1pm will still be charged.

Our latest events and term dates. Calendar & Term Dates 2025/2026 term dates

Over the year, the children will be taught a broad and balanced curriculum which provides a range of opportunities to support and extend their learning. ​ Year 3 Over the year, the children will be taught a broad and balanced curriculum which provides a range of opportunities to support and extend their learning. More information about the curriculum at Hamstel Junior School can be found under ‘Curriculum’. Meet the team 3R Year Group Leader Mrs Reeves 3H Miss Hendle 3HW Mr Hodges/Miss Webster 3L Ms Lothian 3B Mr Brierley Library Children should have their library books in school every day. PE Children should wear their PE kit to school on the days they have PE.. Parents will be notified if these days change. Monday - 3L Tuesday - 3H & 3HW Wednesday - 3R Thursday - 3R, 3B, 3HW & 3L Friday - 3B & 3H 1/1 Year 3 Letters Newsletters Parent Pay Calendar Lunch Menu Spellings KIRFs Key Dates 2025-2026 * Dates may be liable to change, please use as a guide. Year 3 Curriculum Overview Homework Homework expectations for each week Year 3 Reading - daily reading for approx. 15 minutes - 10 Boo ks to Read in Year 3 Spelling - weekly spelling task - searching the books read at home for words matching the weekly spelling pattern/ learning the list of 'Words We Need to Know' Maths - daily practice of the key skills (KIRFs) as outlined for each half term. TT Rock Stars - Practising your tables regularly will really help you learn them and speed up your recall. Using TT Rock Stars will help you. Aim to practise your tables every day. Year 3 Latest News Ainda não há posts publicados nesse idioma Assim que novos posts forem publicados, você poderá vê-los aqui.

All letters sent home for each Year Group. Letters Home Cartas para casa Jantar Cardápio Jantar Cardápio Jantar Cardápio

Year 6 Letters Home Year 6 National Child Measurement Programme - 12.1.26 Ofsted Framework - Letter from CEO Portico Academy Trust - 8.1.26 Homework letter - 11.12.25 Spring Term Clubs - 2.12.25 Service at Holy Trinity Church 6A, 6P and half of 6Du - 21.11.25 Service at Holy Trinity Church 6D, 6E and half of 6Du - 21.11.25 Christmas Discos 2025 - 21.11.25 Christmas Jumper Day 2025 - 21.11.25 Scholastic Christmas Book Club - 14.11.25 Children In Need 2025 - 4.11.25 Hamstel Schools Pool letter from Portico Academy Trust - 21.10.25 Home Work Autumn Term - 21.10.25 Year 6 Bootcamp - Rescheduled - 14.10.25 Harvest Celebration - 10.10.25 Portico Academy Trust Attendance Letter - 26.9.25 Bootcamp - 23.9.25 Learning Conversations Autumn - 19.9.25 NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe - 19.9.25 Individual and Sibling Photographs - 17.9.25 World War II Day - 5.9.25 World War II Day Costume Ideas - 5.9.25 Autumn Term Clubs 2025 - 4.9.25 Football at Hamstel Junior School - 4.9.25 Duxford Trip - 4.9.25 NHS Flu Immunisation Guidance - 3.9.25 Flu Immunisation Letter - 3.9.25 PE Kit Change - 2.9.25 First Day Back - 2.9.25 PGL Residential Letter 2026 - 23.5.25

Teaching Careers Looking for a c are er in teac hing? Are you an ECT looking for a school that will offer you the very best start to your teaching career? Or are you an experienced teacher looking for a move to a school which will support you in the next stage of your career? We are always on the look out for talented individuals to join our friendly and collegiate team. As one of the largest schools in Southend we offer fantastic CPD as well as great potential for career progression. We ask that anyone interested in a career at Hamstel Junior School takes the opportunity to visit the school. We’d love to have the opportunity to talk to you about what Hamstel Junior School has to offer and hear about how you could become part of the school’s vision for the future. Please take a look at the Vacancies area of the Portico website to find out whether there are any vacancies currently available at the school. 1/1

Our office hours are Monday - Friday 8.00am until 4.00pm where Ms Martin or one of our office team will be happy to help with any queries you may have. Contact Us Phone number: 01702 468048 Address: Hamstel Junior School, Hamstel Road, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS2 4PQ E-mail: office@hjs.porticoacademytrust.co.uk Our office hours are Monday - Friday 8.00am until 4.00pm where Ms Martin or one of our office team will be happy to help with any queries you may have. Contact Us Thanks for submitting! Submit

History History Curriculum Intent Statement: At Hamstel, we aim to create inquisitive historians and foster a love of history across all year groups. We believe that, by teaching history, we empower our pupils to foster a curiosity about the past; develop their own opinions based on a variety of historical sources, and build a deeper understanding of the present by engaging with and questioning the past. Year 3 In Year 3 children will learn: to describe the changes, key events and achievements in a particular period of time to use appropriate language relating to that time period to use an increasing range of common words and phrases relating to the passing of time to describe memories of key events in his/her life using historical vocabulary Year 4 In Year 4 children will learn: to describe a particular time period and the impact it has to place events in chronological order to use appropriate language relating to that time period to use a variety of source to discover about the past, and understand that they can contradict each other to use sources of information to answer questions that go beyond simple observation to communication learning in an organised way with correct terminology Year 5 In Year 5 children will learn: to describe the events, achievements and impact in a particular period of time giving reasons for them to order events on a timeline to present findings and accounts in a variety of ways to compare sources of information available to make comparisons with the present day to understand that the type of information available depends on the time period to evaluate the usefulness of a variety of sources to present findings in different ways to use more than one source to create a historical recount Year 6 In Year 6 children will learn: to describe the events in a particular period of time using evidence to support this to devise valid questions about the time and construct informed responses to use sources to support knowledge of the past to undertake independent research using sources to describe narratives chronologically across a time period to use historical terms to make connections and contrasts 1/2