Welcome

Welcome to Squirrels Class – Year 1

We are so excited to welcome you to Squirrels Class! In Year 1, we create a warm, nurturing environment where every child feels safe, valued, and ready to learn. We believe that learning should be fun, engaging, and full of discovery.

Our classroom is a place where we support one another like a family. We encourage kindness, respect, and teamwork in everything we do. Everyone takes pride in looking after our classroom, helping to keep it clean, organised, and a lovely place to learn.

Our Learning Journey

In Year 1, we build on the strong foundations from Reception and begin to explore more structured learning. We focus on developing independence, curiosity, and a love of learning across all subjects.

• Phonics & Reading: Phonics is a big part of our daily routine. We follow a structured phonics programme and work hard to learn our Phase 5 sounds in preparation for the Phonics Screening Check in the summer. We read together three times a week in our reading practice sessions, and we love seeing the progress our children make. Reading at home is just as important, please aim for 5 times a week —please also remember to bring your reading book and diary every Monday so we can change books and return them on Thursday. 

• English: Our English curriculum is based around high-quality texts. Each half term, we explore two new books that inspire our writing and link to the topics we’re learning in other subjects like history and geography.

• Maths: We use practical resources and visual models to help us understand number, shape, and measure. We focus on building strong number sense and problem-solving skills through fun, hands-on activities.

• Wider Curriculum: Our afternoons are filled with exciting learning across a range of subjects. In science, we explore the world around us through investigations and observations. In history and geography, we learn about the past and the world we live in through stories, maps, and real-life experiences. We also enjoy art, DT, music, PE, and RE, giving every child the chance to shine in different areas.

Our Weekly Routine

• Monday: Bring in your reading book and diary

• Thursday: Reading books are returned

• Friday: We visit the school library to choose a new ‘reading for pleasure’ book to enjoy at home

We also have weekly assemblies, themed days, and special events throughout the year to enrich our learning and celebrate our achievements.

 OUR PE DAYS ARE HELD ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY  - SEPTEMBER 2025

Resources