Welcome to Year One!

In Year One, the children experience many learning opportunities to begin to develop their independence along with many lifelong skills. These include experiences of how to share and take turns, how to work effectively in groups and how to make effective choices to support their learning. A ‘learn through play’ approach will continue in Year 1 alongside daily maths, English and topic lessons. Throughout the classroom, outdoor area and reading area, the children will be provided with resources and opportunities to freely explore to challenge their thinking, extend their knowledge and secure their understanding. Within this set up and approach, there are endless opportunities for children to develop skills associated with resilience, problem solving, sharing and discussing new ideas, trial and error, showing a growth mindset, persistence, facing and overcoming challenges, taking on criticism and suggestions for improvements and many more!  

Key Dates

• Barn Owls PE: Tuesday and Friday
• Hedgehogs PE: Tuesday and Friday

Homework

Homework is also a chance for children to develop their independence and responsibility. Spelling sheets will be sent out weekly and they will have a NumBots log in for maths from Term 2. Every term, knowledge organisers will be sent home to show what they will be learning in the foundation subjects.  Your support in helping your child to learn and complete these activities would be welcomed.

 Tasks:

• Reading (4 times minimum) - weekly
• Spelling homework- Term 2 (weekly)
• Numbots – Term 2 (ongoing)
• Termly home learning project

English

The expectation is for children to read their phonics levelled book at least four times a week (preferably more). Reading logs will be checked weekly.

Letter formation packs are available and can be sent home to support the accuracy in letter formation to help children to increase their fluency and presentation in writing throughout the year.

Phonics Screening

In Year One, the statutory assessment takes place during W/C Monday 9th June 2025. It is crucial your child attends school during this week. The assessment involves children reading forty words using their decoding and blending skills to show accuracy of phonemes when reading. The assessment is very relaxed and only takes between 5-10 minutes. It is vital that children leave Year One with an accurate understanding of the phonemes within the English language.

Proposed Year 1 highlights

-      Term 1: Woburn Safari park trip

-      Term 2: Christmas 

-      Term 3: Visit from DWAEC and a visit to St. Luke's Church

-      Term 4/5: Visit to Duston Village

-      Term 6: Holdenby House trip