Year 1

Welcome to Year 1!

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 Stevenson is the Year 1 class teacher as well as the school’s Acting Vice Principal and SENDCo. Mrs Lowe is our class support cover and teaches the class two days a week. Mrs Rathour is the Year 1 Teaching Assistant and works in class five days a week.

We are reading...

Spring 1: The Lion Inside

by Rachel Bright

Spring 2: The Curious Case of the Missing Mammoth

by Ellie Hattie

Our Authors of the Term are: Mini Grey and Dapo Adeola

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 Wednesday - please make sure that children are wearing the correct active wear on these days.

Home reading and homework tasks

Our Library day is Friday - please remember to bring your library book each week to be changed. Reading books are changed every Monday and Friday. 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 posted on Seesaw 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 remain available to access on Seesaw and in the children's spellings book.

Seesaw is our main link between home and school. It enables you to message the class teacher, complete weekly homework tasks and read any important announcements or information.

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 in the Spring Term. 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