Overview and Outcomes:

This is a two-week Writing Root for the book The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow. Through the sequence of learning, children will discuss the varied nature of families, developing empathy and understanding of those families that may be similar or different to their own, whilst reflecting on their own educational journey and upcoming transition to secondary school. Children will study the impact of writing a narrative in verse and investigate how dialect is used for impact, considering the difference between the language of speech and writing and choosing the appropriate register. Opportunities to explore specific punctuation choices, as well as building their vocabulary to create figurative phrases to write poetry, will culminate in children writing their own version of “The Final Poem” reflecting on their experience in their Final Year.

Note: as the story deals with sudden illness (death could be inferred), admittance to hospital, single parent families and living in poverty, teachers should be mindful of any pupils who could be sensitive to these themes. Guidance notes are provided within the resource. 

Synopsis of Text:

Ten-year-old Nate lives with his mum and two younger brothers, Jax and Dylan. Jax is eight and Dylan, who is 4 and thinks that he is Spiderman. Nate takes care of his younger two brothers when his Mum is out at the bingo with Aunt San, drinking a few ciders. The book begins at the end of Year 5 and quickly moves to the summer break, followed by the beginning of Year 6 (The Final Year), when Nate and his best friend PS are put in different classes. PS begins to hang out with Nate’s nemesis, the school bully, Turner. Nate has a new teacher, Mr Joshua, who notices how much he enjoys reading and writing, encouraging him to write to process the world around him. We are aware of ‘The Beast’ within that Nate works hard to control. Nate’s world is turned upside-down when his youngest brother, Dylan, is rushed to hospital. How will he cope if his brother doesn’t pull through?

Text Rationale:

This award-winning verse novel by Matt Goodfellow is carefully illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton and tells the story of a child's experience of the final year in Primary School. As a trained Primary Teacher, Matt Goodfellow authentically brings to life relatable and heart-wrenching insights to life in Year 6. Children will empathise with the characters and the story. Not only does it tell the story of the final year in Primary School, but it also brings to the forefront challenging times including health issues and potential loss in a family. This is framed within an urban Mancunian context, with a single parent who enjoys cider and bingo. It is a key text for supporting children in seeing themselves, understanding others and enjoying the power of written word: specifically, verse poetry. 

Links can be made to PSHE and transition from Primary to Secondary education. The text links to the theme of Belonging & Equality.

Links and Themes:

Belonging & Equality

Date written: April 2026

Endorsed by Otter-Barry Books.