1. Year 1 Information Session September 2016 Welcome to a new school year at Westfields Infant School

2. Pupil Premium Funding This is allocated by the Government Please see the office if you think your child is eligible and apply The money is used to directly support children who qualify for the funding e.g. additional classroom support to ensure your child reaches their potential The money can also be used to pay for your child’s school trips, clubs and others things that will support them educationally.

3. Visits and visitors Usually one main trip a year – parents are asked to pay Other enrichments activities e.g. workshops and theatre groups. We ask for a donation School funding has been reduced significantly over the past few years. Without the donations from parents these activities can’t take place

4. WISPA Main way of fundraising Opportunity to socialise The more people that help the easier it is – please support our PTA in any way you can AGM 7.30pm on 22 nd September at school

5. Reading and homework New diary (cost of replacement £1.00) Please fill in the diary so we know you have read at home Reading at home – little and often. Ideally every day Children have the opportunity to change their book daily choosing the correct colour band To encourage children to read at home we give out stickers and certificates Daily guided reading sessions take place in school during which staff assess reading levels and colour bands. Guided Reading books do not come home Continued practise of reading key words if necessary – this is a different procedure to Year R Occasionally topic work is sent home We will be sending spellings home every other week

6. Year R to 1 Similarities – We had transition activities in the Summer to prepare the children – Gradually the day becomes more formal but it depends on needs Differences – Increase in independence – children expected to take more responsibility for handing in forms, getting out reading books etc. It is helpful if you remind them to do this – New routines: PE twice a week (including with a specialist sports coach), whole class playtimes in mornings, visits to the computing suite – Year 1 Curriculum – please come to the information session on 15 th November. Details to follow Curriculum – All about me is the topic this half term. Topic information is posted on the website

7. KS1 Curriculum Your child is now in Key Stage 1 (year 1 and 2) Children are no longer assessed against levels but all children are expected to achieve end of year expectations The idea is that all children keep up We continually assess children to check that they are making progress towards the expectations for their year group We will put in additional support if necessary and inform parents of any concerns. We will also advise on how to support your child’s progress There is no end of year test in year 1 (other than phonics) but there are National tests at the end of year 2 We will tell you about your child’s progress at parent interviews in November. This will include an assessment on whether your child is currently working at expected levels

8. Phonics and Spelling Children have daily phonics sessions During these sessions ‘tricky’ words and phonemes (sounds) are taught The National Curriculum places a great emphasis on spelling Spellings will be sent home every other week It is better to practise for a short time every day as children are then more likely to retain and use in their writing The spellings sent home are the words children are expected to be able to spell by the end of year 1 We recommend the ‘look, cover, write, check’ method There will be no weekly spelling test as there is no evidence that tests improve children's spelling ability Children’s spelling will be assessed on an ongoing basis through the daily phonics sessions, through assessment of their writing books and through regular written assessment such as dictation A National phonics screening test is held in June

9. Handwriting The National Curriculum places a great emphasis on handwriting We expect children to – form letters correctly – make sure that certain letters hang below the line (y, j) and certain letters are taller as appropriate (h, t) – Use capital letters correctly

10. Clubs There are various clubs your child can join Some are run by outside companies such as Spanish, Judo, Football and Multi-sports and these are chargeable Some are run by staff and we ask for a nominal amount to cover costs Staff clubs vary from term to term Clubs may be run before or after school Most clubs run for a term and we ask that children commit to a term Look out for a letter at the beginning of each term detailing which clubs are running

11. PE PE is held twice a week Children need an indoor kit which is a white T shirt and red shorts They also need an outdoor kit consisting of tracksuit bottoms, a T shirt, sweatshirt and trainers Both kits are needed in school at all times Some Tuesdays your child will have PE with a specialist sports coach A member of staff will be present during these sessions

12. PPA On Tuesdays, the Year 1 teachers have PPA time to plan and prepare for the week ahead Your child’s class will participate in a rolling programme that includes RE, PE, library skills and handwriting Please remember therefore that on a Tuesday afternoon it will be a different member of the teaching team seeing your child out at the end of the day

13. Getting Involved Remember to read at home and learn spellings If you would like to help in your child’s class please talk to your child’s teacher. You will need to complete some forms and we carry out a DBS check Look out for various curriculum events: Year 1 curriculum information session 15 th November Open session on 11 th October Parent interviews week after half term

14. Remember Attendance / punctuality – really important that children are here everyday Let us know if it’s someone else collecting your child Reading and spelling – little and often (at least 4-5 times per week) Water bottles – please bring everyday (but not in book bags) PE kits – always in school Coats – everyday, we still go out if it’s raining Book bags (with reading book, diary and communication book in it!), no rucksacks please and no large key rings attached as they go in the drawers Your child does not need wellies in school but look out for notices as they will sometimes be needed for specific activities Social networking – please be careful what you post Please make sure EVERYTHING is named!!

15. Thank you for coming If you have any worries or concerns please do not hesitate to talk to your child’s teacher – we pride ourselves on our open door policy