The Year 1 curriculum is not merely a collection of subjects; it serves as a foundation for your child's future learning. It is designed to cultivate curious minds and foster a love of learning. Our learning is structured around termly themes such as "Toys and Games," "The UK," and "Flight Exploration." These themes help connect the children’s learning and support cross-curricular links.

Maths  

• We follow a mastery approach using Power maths - a UK curriculum mastery programme designed to spark curiosity, excitement and nurture confidence in maths. It also develops oracy skills, which are so important during a child’s time at primary school.
• Additionally, there are weekly maths fluency sessions to reinforce essential maths facts.

English

• Daily phonics instruction emphasizes reading and writing.
• English lessons focus on a wide range of core texts and poems, aiming to develop children's storytelling abilities, oral vocabulary, and the foundational skills needed for creating short written narratives.
• Students also participate in weekly handwriting sessions that emphasize correct letter placement on the line and relative letter size.

Religious Education 

We follow the updated Religious Education Directory – To Know You More Clearly, which guides children in deepening their understanding of the Catholic faith and its teachings. Lessons encourage children to reflect on the life and message of Jesus, while also fostering respect for other religions and worldviews.

Children are supported in developing their spiritual, moral, and cultural understanding through discussion, scripture, and creative activities. The curriculum promotes thoughtful questioning, personal reflection, and living out values such as compassion, justice, and integrity in everyday life.

 

Exciting Activities in Year 1

• We explore artefacts, costumes, games, and smells from the past through Chertsey Museum, linking to our History topics on "Toys from the Past" and "Homes from the Past."
• In Design and Technology, we design and create puppets and moving storybooks to share with our Reception children.
• We visit Brooklands Museum to learn about the history of aviation, after which we will design and make our own planes and pilots in Art.
• We visit RHS Wisley Gardens, where we observe sunflowers and then grow them at home to link to our Science curriculum.

 

Phonics Screening Check 

The Phonics Screening Check is a national assessment that every child in England takes during a one-to-one sitting with a teacher. This Check evaluates how well your child can use and apply the phonics skills they have learned up until the end of Year 1. During the Check, children read a mix of real words and pseudo-words (made-up words). If a child does not meet the expected standard, they will receive appropriate support for their phonics and will retake the Phonics Screening Check in Year 2. Throughout the year, we prepare the children for this Check, so they know what to expect. We encourage parents to support their child's preparation at home, reinforcing the skills and confidence they have gained in school.

 

Home Learning Expectations  

• Children receive phonics reading books every Thursday to practice previously learned sounds. Books can only be exchanged when the reading records from their previous book are returned. Each child has a reading record that allows parents and teachers to track reading at least three times per book.
• Additionally, children receive a small amount of home learning every Friday, delivered through Google Classroom. This typically includes weekly spellings, tested the following Thursday, maths practice on Numbots, and a review of their previous learning in CPG books from Autumn 2.