Year 1

Welcome to Year 1, 2026-2027…

This year in particular it is crucial that teachers, parents and children share equal responsibility in ensuring that their time in Year 1 is a success! By working together, we hope to prepare your child for a smooth transition from EYFS into Key Stage 1.
In Year 1 learning is centred around developing independence and children will be encouraged to take greater responsibility for their own progress. Children are expected to practice the strategies they have been learning along their journey, which will allow them to manage their emotions effectively as they mature.
We have gathered information for parents/carers and their child to outline the Year 1 expectations for children in our school. The staff have identified these expectations as being the requirements your child must meet to ensure continued progress throughout the following year.
Any extra support you can provide in helping your children to achieve these is greatly valued. If you have any queries or want support in knowing how best to help your child, please talk to your child’s teacher

Staff

Mrs Carter and Mrs Stevenson are the Year 1 class teachers as well as being part of the Senior Leadership Team across wider school. Mrs Stevenson is the Vice Principal and SENDCo and can support with any questions you have around inclusion and special educational needs. Mrs Carter is the Assistant Vice Principal, leading on curriculum development and assessment.

Miss Cruz is the Year 1 Teaching Assistant, supporting children in class 5 days a week.

We are reading...

Autumn 1: Meesha Makes Friends

by Tom Percival

Autumn 2: Katie in London

by James Mayhew

Our Authors of the Term are: Tom Percival and Catherine Rayner

Water and Snack

Water is accessible in classrooms at all times. Water bottles are to be brought to school daily. These are not allowed on tables and are kept in a designated area of the classroom. Children are expected to fill up their water bottles with support, at the drinking water sinks in classrooms and around the school grounds.
Snack is provided at morning break time and is in line with our healthy eating policy.

Uniform

Full details of our school uniform policy can be found at this link: School Uniform - Elmridge Primary School Please contact school if you are struggling to provide any elements of school uniform so that we can offer support where we can. Our PE days are Tuesday and Thursday - please make sure that children are wearing the correct active wear on these days.

Home reading and homework tasks

Our Library day is Wednesday - please remember to bring your library book each week to be changed. Reading books are changed every Monday. Please ensure you read with your child at home and sign your child's reading diary each week. Children will read throughout the week as part of our Everybody Reading In Class sessions (ERIC). Please ensure reading books remain in children's bags so these are available every day. If you have any questions regarding your child's book or phonics progress, please comment in the reading diary or speak directly to a member of staff.

Homework is sent home each Friday. English and Maths homework should be returned by the following Wednesday.

Spellings will be tested on Fridays. We use weekly spellings taken from the Little Wandle Programme, embracing taught phonics knowledge, including patterns and rules. These will be sent home in the children's spellings book.

Phonics Screening Check

Our whole school Phonics scheme is Little Wandle. If you require further information about this, please visit the 'Phonics' section of our website.

In June, all children will complete the Phonics Screening Check assessment. This is a standardised assessment administered by all primary schools in England to check pupil's attainment and progress in Phonics. Further information will be sent out in Spring Term and can also be found in the link below.

Writing at home

Throughout school, we use the handwriting scheme Kinetic Letters. We encourage children to practice their handwriting at home and also gain exposure to writing as much as possible. This might include, writing the shopping list, birthday cards, letters or postcards!

Maths at school

Oak Academy is a whole-class programme designed to spark curiosity and excitement and help you nurture confidence in Maths. Lessons are busy and interactive with children working independently, in pairs, in groups and as a class. Children no longer have to simply find the answer to a problem, they are now being asked to explain how they found it.
Maths is an adventure for children to immerse themselves in, get creative with, make mistakes, and conquer!

Here are some resources that we use to support your child's learning:

Enrichment

Year 1 aim to attend two educational visits off-site throughout the academic year. There may be other scheduled trips linking to our topics, such as local visits and walks of the area. We will also be sharing some of our work with parents and carers via a class assembly. Dates will be shared on the school calendar closer to the time.

If you have any questions or would like to speak with a member of staff, please contact the school office and we will arrange to call you back within 24 hours. Alternatively, we are always available to talk at drop off and pick up times, once all children have been welcomed and dismissed safely.

Thank you for your continued support!

Useful links and downloads