Does adversity always make us stronger? 

Solidarity and the common good/ Dignity of the human person.

Our question for this term of ‘Does adversity always make us stronger?’ will be explored through the Catholic Social Teaching lens of Dignity of the Human Person and Solidarity and the Common Good across the curriculum.

As part of our enquiry learning, we will become historians by studying the Anglo-Saxon invasion and settlement of Britain, investigating how challenging it was to invade, settle, and survive in a new land. We will explore whether adversity helped the Anglo-Saxons to adapt, work together, and build stronger communities. The children will learn about why different groups came to Britain, the obstacles they faced, and how life changed as they settled.

We will examine how Anglo-Saxon society was organised, including the roles of kings, warriors, farmers, and slaves, and consider whether people were treated with dignity and fairness. Year 4 will develop their understanding of primary and secondary sources, using artefacts, documents, and archaeological evidence to learn about daily life, beliefs, and settlements. We will explore how the landscape, climate, and existing Roman infrastructure affected where and how the Anglo-Saxons settled, and why some invasions were more successful than others.

Throughout the unit, we will compare life in Anglo-Saxon Britain with life today, identifying what has changed and what has stayed the same. By looking at conflict, cooperation, and survival during this period, we will return to our key question: does adversity always make us stronger? We will reflect on how communities can be built in ways that promote dignity, fairness, and the common good for all.

Children will also be encouraged to share their own ideas and experiences, helping to develop curious and thoughtful minds. Throughout this study, we will continually build upon our skills and knowledge, ensuring our ‘golden nuggets’ of learning are embedded in our long-term memories.