Year 1

In Year 1, the timetable is designed to support children as they move gradually from the Early Years Foundation Stage into the more formal routines of Key Stage 1. At the start of the year, children continue to experience a familiar balance of free-flow learning, short teaching inputs and carefully planned adult-led activities. This helps children settle confidently while beginning to build the stamina and independence needed for more structured lessons. 

As the year progresses, children are gradually introduced to more regular whole-class teaching in English and mathematics, alongside daily phonics and reading sessions. Wider curriculum learning, including science and learning themes, is taught through a mixture of direct teaching, practical activities and opportunities to apply new knowledge. Free-flow provision remains an important part of the week, allowing children to explore, practise skills, collaborate and continue learning in a purposeful and age-appropriate way. 

Our Year 1 classrooms are thoughtfully organised to help children feel secure, curious and ready to learn as they move from the Early Years into Key Stage 1. Role-play areas and continuous provision give children opportunities to explore ideas, develop independence and practise key skills through purposeful play. Each classroom has a welcoming reading corner and children also enjoy access to our shared library, helping to nurture a love of books and reading. Across the phase, shared learning spaces provide opportunities for small-group teaching, discussion and focused support. Outdoors, children benefit from two playground areas: one designed for active games, movement and running, and another quieter space where children can read, talk and enjoy calmer play. 

In Year 1, children build on the strong foundations from Reception through a broad, carefully sequenced curriculum that balances core learning with rich practical experiences. Reading, writing and mathematics remain central, with children developing confidence in phonics, early number, calculation, shape, measure and problem solving. In science, children learn through observation, investigation and hands-on enquiry, exploring materials, light and dark, seasonal change, animals, the human body, plants, sound and hearing. 

Across the wider curriculum, children begin to think like historians, geographers, artists, designers, musicians and computer scientists. They explore homes now and in the past, kings and queens, maps, weather, the United Kingdom and Africa. Creative and practical learning is woven throughout the year, including art inspired by artists such as J. M. W. Turner, David Hockney and Esther Mahlangu, design and technology projects linked to homes and pirate ships, music, computing, religious education and personal development. The curriculum is further enriched with trips to London Zoo and Kew Gardens, seasonal local walks and a historical debate between Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria. More detail about the knowledge, skills and vocabulary taught in each subject can be found in the Year 1 curriculum maps. 

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check 

At the end of Year 1, all children take part in the statutory Year 1 Phonics Screening Check. This is a short assessment that helps us understand how well children are developing their early reading skills. 

Children complete the check one-to-one with a familiar adult, reading a mixture of real and made-up words. The check focuses on their ability to use phonics to sound out and blend words. 

The check usually takes place in June and is designed to feel like a normal reading activity. Most children are unaware that they are being formally assessed. 

We use the results to identify how well each child is progressing and whether any additional support is needed. At the end of Year 1, you will receive a written report on your child’s progress, which will include their score in this check. 

Supporting your child at home makes a real difference, particularly when small routines are built in regularly. In Year 1, the most impactful way to help is through regular reading. We aim for every child to have at least five reading entries logged each week, helping them to build fluency, confidence and enjoyment of books. Practising key mathematical skills is also very valuable. In Year 1, children begin by developing confidence with addition and subtraction within 10, before building towards fluency within 20. 

Each week, children will also receive a short home learning task, designed to take around 30 minutes. This may link to maths, English or the wider learning theme for the week. Children will also bring home 10 spellings to practise. When practising these, we encourage children to focus on careful handwriting too, helping them to develop accuracy, presentation and confidence in their written work. 

The websites and resources shared below are designed to give families helpful, manageable ways to support learning at home. 

KS1-learning-websites.pdf

We want every child in Key Stage 1 to develop their own reading identity: knowing the types of books, authors and stories they enjoy, while also being encouraged to try something new. Recommending books to children is an important part of this, and the links below provide helpful suggestions for families looking for high-quality books to enjoy at home. 

Books from the Spark! Book Awards feature heavily in our reading corners, displays and library. Spark! is a children’s book award where children read, respond and vote for the winners, with categories ranging from Early Years through to secondary ages. Families may also find the CLPE booklists useful, as these have been curated by literacy experts and include high-quality texts to support children throughout their reading journey. The Reader Teacher is another excellent source of recommendations, including year-group lists, reviews and book-match suggestions for children who already enjoy particular authors or series.