Our Day
The KS1 class consists of children in Year 1 and Year 2. They are taught by Miss Day.
The day starts, after self-registration, with prayers and a story. The children then split into ability groups to have a phonics session using the ‘Letters and Sounds’ scheme.
Maths lessons are next. We follow 'Maths Mastery' where every child can enjoy and succeed. Each child is given time and opportunities to fully explore mathematical concepts, challenging them through investigations using their ideas in new and complex ways.
After play they have Literacy.
In the afternoons children have topic work, when they learn all about: Art, Computing, Design Technology, Music, Physical Education, Personal, Social and Health Education with Relationships, Religious Education, Science and Forest Activities.
We have dedicated time for Forest learning with both Mrs Tomlinson and Mrs Entwistle who is a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader (other additional opportunities to learn in the forest are also planned into the weekly timetable). Forest school is an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland environment. After each session the children fill in a floor book showing and explaining what they have learnt or done that afternoon.
In our class, we have daily times of quiet and reflection, a time to think and be still. We follow the 'Come and See' project for Catholic Schools. The areas are taught in 3-4 week blocks and include a time to explore, reveal and respond to each area.
Throughout the year, children will be learning about different religions. To see how you can support your child with religious education please click on the following:
Phonics and Reading
Phonics is taught daily (approx 20mins) using ‘Letters and Sounds’, which is a six-phase teaching programme. Phase 1, 2 and 3 are generally taught in the EYFS and Phase 4, 5 & 6 in Years 1 & 2. Each daily session includes an introduction, a revisit & review, direct teaching then a practice, finishing with an applying of what has been taught and conclusion. Within the Letters and Sounds programme the children are taught to sight read and spell high frequency words (HFW). These are words commonly seen in texts and learning just 13 of these will enable children to read 25% of any text. Learning 100 HFW gives a beginner reader access to 50% of virtually any text, whether a children's book or a newspaper report. See the document below and webpage link for more information.
Children read in guided groups or individually daily. Children read appropriate fiction and non-fiction books matched to their phonics phase and age-related book bands.
Keeping in Touch
We have a school Facebook page. Photos and comments of our activities are added as often as possible. This allows parents to see what their children are doing each day, even if they do come home and answer that well known question ‘What have you done today?’ with ‘Nothing!’.