Year 1 2025 - 2026

Welcome to the Year 1 blog for our first half term! We hope you have all had a lovely summer. We are very excited for the children to start Year 1 and for them to have a happy and fun start to the year. Below is an overview of what the children will be learning this term.

Our Year 1 staff team are:

Mrs Wolfenden and Miss Jennings class teachers. 

Miss Norman, Mrs Richardson and Mrs Jones.

Religious Education

We will be following the Archdiocese programme to ‘Know You More Clearly’ and this half term our topic is Creation and Covenant. During this topic the children will learn the story of creation and that God is our Father who created all things. The children will develop their understanding through music, art stories and role play.

English

The book that we will be focusing on in English is the Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield. This beautiful story begins with a bear who finds something quite strange in the forest. What is it and where will it take him? This book takes the children on a beautiful journey of exploration and the importance of home and friendships.

We will also be reading Stanley’s Stick by John Hegley. This book allows the children to use their imagination following the adventures of Stanley and his stick.

When writing we will focus on the correct use of punctuation using capital letters, finger spaces and full stops. We will continue to practise handwriting ensuring that correct letter formation is used consistently.

Phonics

Children will continue to follow the Read, Write, Inc scheme for phonics on a daily basis.

Maths

We will continue to learn to count, read and write numbers to 20 in numerals. They will learn to identify one more and one less than a given number within 20.

They will learn to identify and represent numbers using objects and pictorial representations including the number line, and use the language of equal to, more than, less than (fewer), most, and least.

We will look at representation and use number bonds and related subtraction facts within 10 Solve one-step problems that involve addition and subtraction, using concrete objects and pictorial representations, and missing number problems such as 7 = □ – 9.

The children will be learning to recognise and know the value of different denominations of coins and notes and to recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes.  They will be introduced to measure and begin to record lengths and heights.

Science

This term the children will be learning to identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees. Identify and describe the basic structure of a variety of common flowering plants, including trees.

During the year we will also focus on the seasons and observe changes in the natural world as we move through each season.

PE

In PE this term we will focus on fundamental movement skills. Here the children will learn about moving skilfully, negotiating space, sharing equipment, showing control over objects and playing fairly.

After half term the children will have the exciting opportunity to do fencing which we are really looking forward to!

Geography

Our topic for the Autumn term is fieldwork. The children will learn about our local area, and we will be out and about exploring local landmarks, using and making maps.

History

Our History lessons will focus on the theme of now and them. We will visit the concept of the passing of time and old and new by looking at leisure activities in the past and present and by exploring toys old and new. This is always a fun topic where we have fun looking at old toys and compare them to the toys of today.

Art

In Art this term the children will get the opportunity to explore some of the work of artist Sarah Morris. They will learn how to look at artwork, saying what they see and what they like, and why We will then discuss with the children their initial thoughts through paired discussion and whole class activities.

The children will also experiment with shape, colour and media. They will use learned skills to create a piece of artwork and reflect their artwork and the artwork of others.

Computing

We will be learning about technology around us in our computing lessons this half term. The children will develop their understanding of technology and how it can help them in their everyday lives. They will start to become familiar with the different components of a computer by developing their keyboard and mouse skills. Learners will also consider how to use technology responsibly.

You, Me, Everyone

Our lessons will focus on diversity where we celebrate our similarities and differences through a variety of delightful texts and activities.

Important!

Daily Reading – It’s really important that you read every night for at least 10 minutes. Children will bring home their book bags with a reading for pleasure book on a Monday on this should be returned on a Thursday. This is a book that could be read to your child at bedtime or something they could share with you by telling you the story through the pictures. Book bags will also go home on a Thursday with 2 phonics books. These should be returned no later than the following Monday. The books will be matched to your child’s reading level and will help them consolidate the sounds and tricky (red) words learnt that week. It will help your child to read these books more than once to help improve reading speed and expression.

*Please can you sign your child’s reading record to show they have read when book bags are returned on a Monday.

Things to remember:

• Children should come to school in their PE kits on Mondays.
• We aim to go outside and be active every day. Please make sure your child brings a waterproof coat every day and a pair of wellies which can be left in school.
• Please send a fresh bottle of water labelled with the child’s name (not juice, squash or energy drinks) in each day.
• The children are offered a fruit snack every day.
• Please ensure that all jumpers, hats, coats etc are clearly labelled with your child’s name.
• Children are not to bring in items from home (such as pencil cases, footballs, small toys etc).
• If you need to speak with your child's teacher, please approach us on the playground and we can arrange a time. We would ask that you kindly wait until we have seen all of the children safely to their parent or carer before speaking to your teacher and we will be happy to chat. Alternatively, you may wish to ring the school office.