English - Building a Love of Language from the Start
English in Year 1 lays the foundation for
strong, confident communication — in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
At the heart of our English programme is the classic Oxford Reading Tree
series, a structured and engaging scheme designed to support children as they
begin their reading journey.
The Oxford Reading Tree follows a
delightful group of recurring characters — Biff, Chip, Kipper, Floppy the dog,
and their family and friends — who feature across all the books. This
consistency builds familiarity, aids comprehension, and allows children to
connect with the characters as they grow in reading confidence. The stories are
relatable, engaging, and carefully graded to match each child’s reading level.
Reading - Individualised and Meaningful
Each reading book is accompanied by a workbook or activity sheet, designed to reinforce the vocabulary, phonics focus, and comprehension skills introduced in the story. These activities encourage children to reflect on what they’ve read, practise writing, answer questions, and explore the language in a fun and age-appropriate way.
What makes our reading programme truly special is the individual attention every child receives. Each student has dedicated one-on-one time with the teacher every week to work on their reading. During these sessions, the teacher listens to the child read, provides immediate feedback, and selects next steps tailored to their individual level, pace, and needs. Whether a child is just starting out or is already developing fluency, these sessions ensure they are challenged, supported, and celebrated exactly where they are.
Reading levels and progress are carefully tracked, and books are selected to strike the perfect balance between enjoyment and gentle challenge. Children are encouraged to read both at school and at home, and parents are included in the journey with reading logs.
We believe that reading should be a joyful, confidence-building experience — and with the right support, every child can become a reader who loves books and stories for life.
Our year 1 classroom has a dedicated small library and reading corner, with a carper, for children to enjoy story time and develop their reading and phonics skills from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.
Learning the sounds of English
Phonics is a key component of our English curriculum. Children are taught how letters and groups of letters (called graphemes) correspond to the sounds in spoken English (called phonemes). English has 44 main phonemes, and we introduce them in a carefully structured order, using daily interactive lessons, songs, and games.
Spelling - Linking Phonics to Writing
To support phonics and early writing, we
introduce weekly spelling tests.
These are based on the phonics and high-frequency words being taught that week,
following the progression laid out in the English National Curriculum. Children
take home a short list of words to practise, helping them build confidence with
both familiar and new vocabulary.
Spelling is taught in a positive, encouraging way — as a tool for communication and self-expression, not just as a test. We focus on helping children recognise patterns in language and feel proud of their growing word knowledge.
Mathematics - Confidence Through Understanding
In Year 1, we use the Nelson Maths programme, a trusted and well-structured scheme designed to support children as they develop early mathematical understanding. Aligned with the English National Curriculum, Nelson Maths provides a clear, progressive framework that builds essential number skills in a fun and engaging way. Children are introduced to core concepts such as counting, number bonds, simple addition and subtraction, shapes, patterns, time, and measurement — all through age-appropriate activities that encourage thinking and exploration.
Practical, Hands-On Learning
We believe Maths
should be meaningful and enjoyable. In our classroom, children learn through a
wide variety of practical, hands-on experiences using real objects, number
games, puzzles, and visual aids to help them grasp abstract concepts. This
concrete approach ensures that children are not just memorising facts, but
truly understanding how numbers work and how to apply their learning in
everyday life. Visual representations and number stories are used to build a
deeper sense of number and place value, which are key foundations for future
learning.
Personalised Support and Steady Progress
Nelson Mathss allows us to differentiate our teaching to meet each child’s individual needs. Regular assessments and observations help us to identify where children may need more support or greater challenge, and we tailor activities accordingly. Children are encouraged to explain their thinking, take risks, and celebrate small successes — all within a safe, supportive environment. Our goal is to build not only skills, but also Mathsematical confidence, laying the groundwork for a positive, curious attitude toward Maths that lasts a lifetime.
Loving Sports from a young age
In Year 1, sport is an
essential part of our weekly routine, helping children to develop healthy
habits, teamwork, and confidence through movement and play. What makes our
approach special is that the class teacher is actively involved in leading PE
lessons, ensuring that physical development is closely connected to the
children’s overall growth and wellbeing. By having someone they know and trust
guide them through activities, children feel encouraged and supported to try
new things, challenge themselves, and enjoy being active. PE sessions include a
variety of games, movement-based challenges, and simple team sports, all
designed to be fun, inclusive, and age-appropriate.
Our focus in Year 1 is on building gross and fine motor skills, such as coordination, balance, spatial awareness, and strength, through imaginative and engaging activities. We promote a positive mindset towards sport, helping children understand the value of staying active, learning to work with others, and celebrating effort as much as achievement. Whether they’re running, jumping, throwing, or dancing, children begin to see movement not just as exercise, but as a joyful part of their everyday life.
The Natural World and Science
Science in Year 1 is
all about nurturing curiosity and a sense of wonder about the world around us.
Following the English National Curriculum, children explore topics such as
plants, animals, materials, seasonal changes, and the human body, through engaging,
age-appropriate content. Learning is brought to life through hands-on
exploration and enquiry-based activities, where children are encouraged to ask
questions, make predictions, and test their ideas. Whether they are observing
how seeds grow, sorting local animals by habitat, or discovering the features
of everyday materials, children are actively involved in constructing their own
understanding of scientific concepts.
We also draw on the natural surroundings of our region, incorporating lessons about local plants and animals, helping children connect what they are learning in the classroom to the world outside. Science lessons often involve outdoor observations, nature walks, and simple experiments — such as testing the buoyancy of different objects to see what sinks or floats, or exploring how water changes in different temperatures. These experiences encourage children to become confident little scientists — observing, questioning, and discovering with joy. Our goal is to lay the foundation for a lifelong interest in science by making learning meaningful, interactive, and full of wonder.
A Cross-Curricum Approach - A Rich and Balanced Curriculum
Our Year 1 curriculum goes far beyond English and Maths. Children enjoy a full range of subjects including science, geography, history, art, music, physical education, and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education). Lessons are designed to be meaningful, creative, and interactive — inspiring children to ask questions, explore ideas, and connect learning across subjects.
We take a cross-curricular approach that
helps children see how subjects interrelate, building a deeper understanding of
the world around them. Whether they are writing a story about a historical
figure, solving a Maths problem in science, or creating a map in geography —
they are using skills in context and learning to think in flexible, connected
ways.
Italian with Ms. Katja - Language Immersion Every Day
In addition to our English curriculum, we
proudly offer Italian language immersion five times a week with our dedicated
language specialist for primary school children, Ms. Katja. This daily exposure
to Italian helps children develops an early love and ear for foreign languages,
strengthening their communication skills and cultural understanding.
Our immersive approach includes songs,
games, storytelling, and interactive activities that make language learning
natural and fun. Starting a second language so young provides cognitive
benefits that support all areas of learning — from memory and focus to
problem-solving and creativity.
Slovene with Ms. Reni - Language Immersion Every Day
Slovene is an important part of our curriculum, and we ensure that all children receive high-quality language instruction tailored to their needs. Students are divided into native and non-native groups, allowing us to provide focused and appropriate learning experiences for every child. Both groups have five lessons per week, following the Slovene National Curriculum. Native speakers work on developing their literacy, grammar, and comprehension skills, while non-native learners focus on building vocabulary, conversational fluency, and confidence in everyday communication. Our aim is to help all students feel comfortable and capable in Slovene, whether it is their first or second language, and to support their full integration into the school and wider community.
