Welcome to Year One!

We’re delighted to have you with us as we begin this exciting new chapter in your child’s learning journey. Year 1 is a special and important stage—it marks the start of Key Stage 1 and brings with it lots of opportunities for growth, discovery, and joy.

Throughout the year, we’ll embark on many engaging learning experiences together, helping children deepen their understanding of the world around them and build on the strong foundations developed in Reception.

One key milestone this year is the Phonics Screening Check, which takes place in June. You can support your child by listening to them read their book-bag books regularly and by watching the weekly phonics videos shared on Class Dojo. These small, consistent efforts at home make a big difference.

Please keep an eye on Class Dojo for regular updates about what we’re learning in class, as well as photos and messages about the fun, hands-on activities we’re enjoying.

We’re so excited to work in partnership with you this year—here’s to a fantastic start to Year 1!

Warm regards,

Miss McHale and Miss Lindley 

Our Geography Topic:Exploring Our Local Area

This half term, the children will explore our local area and discover what makes it special. They will learn about human and physical features, develop their geographical vocabulary, and build their mapping skills through a range of practical activities.

As part of the unit, the children will take part in a local walk to observe what they can see, hear and smell. They will also learn about local landmarks, different types of homes and jobs in our community, and create their own simple maps using the school as a starting point.

At the end of the topic, the children will reflect on what they like about their local area and think about how it could be improved in the future.

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Key vocabulary:

Children will learn and use words such as:

• key, map, symbol

• hear, see, smell

• building, local area, local landmark, special

• bungalow, caravan, cottage, flat, home, house, houseboat

• change, dislike, future, improvements, like

Reading in Year 1

In Year 1, your child will bring home two types of books each week:

• A banded book matched to their phonics level to help develop decoding skills

• A phonics book.

Reading with your child regularly at home plays a vital role in their phonetic development. Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference in building their confidence and fluency.

Phonics Screening Check

During the summer term, Year 1 children will take part in the Phonics Screening Check. This national check assesses how well children can apply their phonics skills to read a range of real and pseudo (nonsense) words.

To support your child, we’ll continue to provide phonics activities in school and share weekly phonics videos and additional resources on Class Dojo. Continued reading practice at home is especially important—your encouragement and support make a huge impact!

Homework

Each Friday, your child will bring home their homework book, which includes:

• A weekly spelling list on the front cover to practise throughout the week

• Activities designed to reinforce classroom learning

Spelling tests will take place each Friday. Please return completed homework by the following Wednesday so that we can celebrate and review your child’s efforts together.