Year 1
Welcome to Year 1 Willow Class!
We are so excited to welcome your child back to school and look forward to our exciting year ahead as Year 1’s! The team in year 1 are Miss Newby, Miss Ince and Mrs Carter, please feel free to speak to us about anything at any point during the year!
General Information
- Homework will be given every Wednesday and should be returned to school by the following Wednesday.
- Book bags should be brought into school every day. Please record any reading your child does at home in their diaries. We aim to change books weekly but if books need changing before then, please speak to a member of staff.
- It is important to hear your child read on a regular basis, to develop fluency and comprehensions skills. Reading a book several times really helps with the fluency. If there are particular words they get stuck on, write them down and use them to play snap or memory games etc. Further guidance to help you in supporting your child’s reading will be provided throughout the term.
- The classroom doors will be open at 8:35 am in the morning and the children will be greeted by a member of staff and walk straight into class. Similarly, at 3:10pm the children will leave school via the classroom door. Children will need to bring a named water bottle into school. No juice or fizzy drinks.
- The children will have a personal locker to keep all their belongings.
- Children will be provided with stationary, so they do not need to bring their own equipment into school.
We believe that this is a year of growth, where children develop and mature, building on the strengths of EYFS ready for a new and varied KS1 curriculum. Play is still a focus of our learning but it is balanced with topic led class learning and guided teaching sessions. This mix of child and adult led learning is scaffolded by skilled staff who recognise when a child may need adult support or the space to explore independently.
Our Year 1 curriculum engages and excites through exploration of families, homes, animals, weather, plants, religions and ourselves. Use of our outdoor classroom and indoor continuous provision, encourages every child to seek challenge and practice new skills with resources that have been selected to support their individual learning.
All of our learning can be found on the document below which is our long term plan.
English Units
Last stop on Market Street
The Queen’s hat
The way back home
Pinocchio
Maths Units
Place value within 10
Addition and subtraction within 10
Shape
Place value within 20
PE
Fundamental movement- Children will develop fundamental movement skills, focusing on balance, coordination, and body control. They will learn how different body parts contribute to movement and how balance supports actions like jumping and throwing.
Dance- Children will learn to use their bodies to express ideas through theme-related shapes, movements, and actions. They will develop coordination and creativity by travelling safely, performing sequences, and working effectively with a partner.
Science
Everday materials- Children will explore everyday materials, identifying objects and the materials they are made from. They will investigate properties, recycling, and environmental impact, and begin learning about animals including humans.
Animals including humans- Children will learn to identify and name a variety of common animals, including mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles. They will also explore animal classifications such as carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores, and begin to understand the basic parts of the human body.
History
How have toys changed over time?- Children will learn how toys have changed over time by sequencing events and exploring materials and memories. They will also begin to understand how their school has changed through interviews and observations.
How has my school changed over time?- Children will explore how their school has changed by looking at photographs, asking questions, and interviewing adults. They will begin to understand how memories and evidence help us learn about the past.
Art/DT
This is me!- Children will express themselves through art in the “This is Me!” unit, exploring identity and creativity.
Structures- windmills- In DT, they will design and build windmill structures, learning about form and function.
RE
What does it mean to belong to a faith community?- Children will explore the concept of belonging by learning how different faiths show they are part of a community. They will discover how Christians, Muslims, and Jewish people express their beliefs and support one another.
What do Christians believe God is like?- Children will explore Christian beliefs about God through stories, prayer, and miracles. They will learn how these beliefs help Christians understand God’s nature and guide their everyday lives.
Music
Voice- Children will learn to sing songs with a small range of notes, using clear diction and accurate pitch. They will follow performance instructions and begin to use dynamics and actions to enhance their singing.
Pitch- Children will learn to identify high and low pitched sounds in music and singing. They will explore pitch and timbre to create their own compositions and represent sounds using graphic notation.
Geography
Our school- Children will explore their school environment by identifying key places and features through photographs and fieldwork. They will begin to recognise the difference between human and physical geography and use simple maps to locate landmarks.
The United Kingdom- Children will learn what maps are and how to use them to navigate simple routes. They will also discover where the United Kingdom is located on a world map and begin to understand its place in the wider world.
PSHE
Beginning and belonging- Children will learn how to build positive relationships and help create a safe, welcoming classroom environment. They will explore feelings around starting something new and develop strategies to support themselves and others.
Family and Friends- Children will explore what makes a good friend and how to manage challenges in friendships. They will learn about different family structures and how families care for and support one another.
Diversity and community- Children will explore what makes up their identity by recognising similarities and differences between themselves and others. They will learn about the importance of community, how to care for their environment, and how different families and cultures contribute to a diverse society.
Computing and Online Safety
Systems and networks- Children will learn about the technology around them and how it is used in everyday life. They will develop basic computer skills including using a mouse and keyboard, and understand how to use a computer responsibly.
Creating digital media- Children will explore how to create digital artwork using shapes, lines, and colours. They will learn to make careful design choices, compare digital and traditional art, and express their creativity through computer-based painting and writing.
Digital writing- Children will explore how to create digital artwork using shapes, lines, and colours. They will learn to make careful design choices, compare digital and traditional art, and express their creativity through computer-based painting and writing.
The Big Ideas Y1 Long Term Planning 2025-2026
Year 1 Curriculum Newsletter – Spring Term 24-25
Year 1 Curriculum Newsletter – Summer Term 2025
