Year 1

Year 1 (5-6 years)
Year 1 is an exciting year for our children to be a part of. It’s great to see the progress the students make in Year 1, both academically and socially. It’s wonderful to see them begin their journey as readers and to see the progress they make each day. The children learn about the use of our personal goals in group and independent work as they start their journey in becoming confident and reflective learners. 

Year 1 is a time of progress, the good foundation in the Early Years classroom allows Teacher Lizzie Bainbridge to build on and extend the skills of the children. Using games and interactive activities the children learn more English sounds using Phonics. The children start to blend the sounds and learn the ‘Tricky words’ to help them on their way to becoming confident readers. You can read more about how we teach reading here. In maths, the children learn more about numbers and start to understand the basics like number bonds and addition.

The International Primary Curriculum which we follow, allows us to teach the children using innovative research-based techniques. We choose a topic and then all our subjects can be taught through the lens of the exciting project.

Buildings Case Study.

In the unit ‘Buildings’, our children have the chance to think about buildings by becoming Geographers, Historians and Scientists. This is a very hands on unit and the children love finding out about how buildings have changed over time, where in the world we can find different buildings, as well as designing and making their very own. This unit also has an important International focus, where children can share and learn about buildings in other children’s home countries.

Doodle Maths online learning platform is used by Lizzie to give the children practice at home in the maths they have learnt in class. School books and our online software called Raz-kids mean children can read to their parents to consolidate their learning in class.

Children in Year 1 enjoy their first overnight trip with their school friends. The children visit the sights of Copenhagen, go on a boat trip then return to school for food, a disco and a sleep over.

Every week Lizzie writes a blog for the parents. In it she provides photos of the activities and explains what the children have been learning so parents can support their child and talk to them about the learning at school. Lizzie also meets with parents in September, January and June and provides a written progress report in December and May.