Year 1 at Harestock

Independence Children will be supported in developing their independence in many ways. Children will see themselves as independent learners and responsible for their own learning. Children will be expected to manage their own bookbags, coats, P.E. kits etc. Children will be expected to get undressed/dressed for P.E. independently.

The Curriculum Year 1 is the first year of the national curriculum. Children will continue to follow a creative curriculum with new learning themes throughout the year. Subjects include: English, Maths, Science, P.E.(and Dance), Computing, Geography, History, Art, PSHCE, Music, R.E., DT. You can find up to date information about the topics your children are learning about on the school website under ‘curriculum’. Each class has a class blog which can also be found on the school website which is updated with photos and information about the children’s current learning.

The School Day

Approach to Learning Children will learn through a combination of whole class direct teaching and small group work. Work will be pitched to children’s individual abilities to enable them to work unsupported at times. Children will be required to listen to instructions and complete tasks independently and begin to develop problem solving and self help skills.

Supporting Your Child At Home We encourage children to read their reading book and key words with an adult once a day or as frequently as possible to support language and literacy development. Children will be given weekly spellings to learn – the expectation is that once they have been learned they continue to practice using and applying them in a range of contexts to secure their knowledge and understanding. Children will be given weekly number bonds to learn these are also expected to be applied by children in their maths in different contexts. Check the website/curriculum letters for whole curriculum overviews.

Preparing Your Child for Transition Be enthusiastic and positive about your child’s transition to Year 1. Encourage them to be independent at home and take responsibility for themselves and their own belongings. Read with them regularly throughout the school holidays. Have high expectations of your child as a learner and their ability to face new challenges.

Additional Information Ready to thrive in Year 1? See handout.

Additional Information There will be meetings throughout the year regarding specific areas of the curriculum and giving you more information of how to support your children at home.

Any Questions? Your child has already had the opportunity to visit their new teacher and classroom. Please speak to your child’s current class teacher if you have any further queries about transition. Look out for the class welcome meeting at the beginning of the new school year. Thank you for coming!