Year 1

The transition from Reception to Year 1 means that the children work in a more formal setting although
a practical approach is still applied in many areas of the curriculum.

To ensure an effective transition, we use the principles of linked provision which covers the national curriculum objectives and includes the use of practical resources to both engage and consolidate children’s learning. Using linked provision in this way enables the children to have access to interesting and real-life contexts. This supports and facilitates their transition into Year 1 and supports their progression across the whole curriculum.
 

Curriculum

Our curriculum has been organised around a topic-based approach which incorporates the key skills set out in the National Curriculum. We find this approach to teaching engages the children and gives meaning to their learning. It also emphasises the importance of developing the depth of children’s learning. Each term starts with a new topic based around a big question. We plan exciting contexts for learning that ‘hook’ and engage learners so that they want to learn more. We aim to make learning real and relevant to the lives of our children and will always include a trip linked to the topic or arrange for visitors to come into school. Where possible, all areas of the curriculum including maths and English are linked to the topic theme.

Although the learning in Year 1 is more formal, we endeavour to keep lessons exciting. Lessons challenge all pupils through a variety of activities, providing opportunities for feedback from adults and peers.
 

Year 1 Phonics Screening test

Children in Year 1 sit the phonics screening test in June. It is a short assessment which is administered to all Year 1 pupils to ensure that they have learned phonic decoding to an appropriate level and to ensure that that they can comfortably access the year two curriculum. They are tested on their pronunciation of forty words: twenty of these words are nonsense words. Whilst we ensure that our children are fully prepared for this screening, we also make sure that it is not something for children to become anxious about.
 

Year 1 Routines

• Children have an indoor and outdoor PE session each week and should have their PE kit in school every day in case the days are changed.
   

Home Learning

• Children are expected to read at least 4 times a week and record these reads in their reading diary.
• Homework menus are in the front of the children's reading diaries for each half term and children will be able to choose which pieces they complete. Full instructions will be printed in the front of children’s homework books.
• Times tables are tested fortnightly, starting with number bonds to ten. A sticker will be put in your child’s reading diary when they move onto a new times table.