Year 1 Team: Miss A Jones (Class Teacher): Blog items
Date: 23rd Oct 2026 @ 12:24pm
We have had another busy and exciting week in Year 1, with lots of fantastic learning taking place across the curriculum.
In English, we completed our final rewrite of The Girl at the Front of the Class. The children worked incredibly hard to apply everything they have learnt throughout the unit, including using capital letters, full stops, adjectives and conjunctions in their writing. It was wonderful to see how much progress they have made and how confidently they were able to retell the story in their own words.
In Maths, we continued our work on addition within 10 and began learning about fact families. We explored how addition and subtraction number sentences can be linked and practised writing different facts using the same three numbers. The children worked hard and showed great perseverance, although we found this concept a little trickier than some of our previous learning. We will spend some more time recapping and consolidating this next week to build confidence and deepen understanding.
In Phonics, we moved on to learning new sounds and have been practising recognising, reading and writing words containing these sounds. The children have worked hard during their phonics sessions and are becoming increasingly confident in applying their phonics knowledge to both reading and writing.
In Art, we completed our topic on Paul Klee. After exploring his work and discussing his unique use of colour, shape and line, the children created their own self-portraits inspired by his artistic style. They thoroughly enjoyed the process and were very proud of their final pieces.
In RE, we finished our Harvest topic and enjoyed some thoughtful discussions. The children considered whether people should give up some of their own food to help others, even if it meant having less themselves. We also discussed whether it is more important to grow our own crops or buy food from elsewhere and thought carefully about the benefits and challenges of both. The children impressed us with their mature ideas and willingness to listen to different viewpoints.
We ended the week with lots of excitement as we celebrated Pyjama Day. The children looked fantastic in their pyjamas and had a wonderful time watching a fantastic production of Snow White. It was a lovely way to finish a busy week of learning and there was great enthusiasm and engagement throughout the performance.
We hope you all have a wonderful half term, and hope you all enjoy a well deserved rest.
The Year 1 Team 🌟
Reminders
- PE days are now Wednesday and Thursday.
- Please ensure your child comes to school wearing the correct PE kit on these days and that all items are clearly labelled.
Date: 5th Oct 2026 @ 8:33pm
What another fantastic week we have had in Year 1! We are so proud of the hard work, resilience and enthusiasm the children have shown throughout their learning. It has been wonderful to see their confidence continue to grow as they challenge themselves and support one another.
In English, we have continued exploring our class story and have worked hard to develop our vocabulary using language from our vehicle text. We spent time thinking carefully about how the main character was feeling at different points in the story and used this to support our understanding. We then began writing our own poems using similes, creating some imaginative and thoughtful descriptions.
In Maths, we continued to explore place value and compared numbers using the <, > and = symbols. We used mathematical language to explain our thinking and support our understanding. We then ordered numbers according to their value and placed them on a number line. Towards the end of the week, we were introduced to part-part-whole models and began exploring how numbers can be split into different parts. Next week, we will continue using part-part-whole models and begin looking at addition in more detail.
We loved Outdoor Learning this week! We split into two groups and took part in a scavenger hunt, searching for a variety of natural items, from specific leaves to animal footprints. Afterwards, we worked together to build our own dens, practising our knot-tying and lashing skills. It was much harder than we expected and required lots of teamwork, communication and perseverance. We were incredibly proud of the dens we created together.
In Science, we explored the final season, summer. We discussed what we would expect to see during the summer months and created bubble maps to describe the season using our own ideas and experiences. We also compared what we would wear in summer and winter and thought about how the weather influences our clothing choices.
In Geography, we travelled to the next country in the United Kingdom and explored Wales. We learned that the national flower is the daffodil and discovered some of the traditions and culture of Wales. We were especially excited to learn about the Welsh dragon and enjoyed tasting traditional Welsh foods, including Welsh cakes and potato cakes. They were delicious!
In Art, we continued our learning about lines. We were given a starting line and challenged to transform it into our own creations using different ideas and designs. The children showed great creativity and imagination in their artwork.
In PE, we continued developing our ball skills and took part in our Fundamentals lessons. We always enjoy our sessions with Harry and particularly enjoyed practising our catching skills again this week. It has been fantastic to see how much progress the children are making with their coordination and confidence.
The Year 1 Virtual Classroom has been updated and attached to this week's blog. It includes links to a variety of websites and resources to support additional learning at home.
Reminders:
- Please can we ask that parents read and adhere to the school uniform policy.
- PE days are Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Outdoor Learning takes place on Monday afternoons.
Thank you for your continued support, and we hope you have a lovely weekend!
Date: 29th Sep 2026 @ 3:55pm
What another wonderful week we have had in Year 1! We are so proud of the hard work, resilience and enthusiasm the children have shown across all areas of their learning.
In Maths, we have continued to focus on place value. We have explored how numbers fit on a number line, practising counting forwards and backwards confidently and identifying missing numbers. We have also been learning about one more and one less than a given number. Next week, we will continue to develop our understanding of one less before moving on to matching groups.
In English, we have spent the week focusing on our dictated sentences. The children have worked hard to listen carefully, hold a sentence in their heads and write it independently. We have also been checking that our sentences include all the important features, such as capital letters, full stops and finger spaces. Next week, we will return to our class text, The Girl at the Front of the Class.
In Geography, we focused on the United Kingdom and zoomed in on England. We explored some of England's traditions and symbols, including Morris dancing, the flag, the national animal and the national flower. We even got to try some traditional food, enjoying scones with jam! Next week, we will be learning all about Scotland.
In Art, we focused on line-making and experimented with creating a variety of lines, including dotted and dashed lines. We also explored how applying different amounts of pressure can affect our marks and investigated a range of materials to create different effects.
In RE, we learned about Harvest and what it means. We sorted a variety of foods and discovered that our food comes from all around the world, not just from local shops. We also learned why Harvest is important to Christians, as it is a time to give thanks to God for the food we have. Next week, we will explore Harvest in the past and compare it to Harvest celebrations today.
In Science, we focused on winter, comparing this season to autumn and identifying the similarities and differences between them. The children enjoyed discussing the changes that happen in the environment throughout the year. Next week, we will begin learning about spring and the signs of seasonal change.
Reminders:
- Please can we ask that parents read and adhere to the school uniform policy.
- PE days are Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Outdoor Learning takes place on Monday afternoons.
Thank you for your continued support, and we hope you have a lovely weekend!
Date: 17th Sep 2026 @ 2:04pm
We’ve had another fantastic week here in Year 1!
In Maths, we have been focusing on our place value skills, especially number order and counting. We started the week by ensuring we knew our number order to 10 securely, with Miss Jones working very hard to trick us! Afterwards, we focused on developing our one-to-one counting skills, ensuring that we didn’t miss any objects or count them twice. To end the week, we focused on counting from a larger group. We were given numbers and counted and circled that amount. We then checked to see how many were left. Next week, we will be focusing on our number formation, as well as representing numbers on a tens frame.
In English, we are still focusing on our foundational skills, with a particular emphasis on holding our pencils correctly, writing sentences, and checking our work using our phonic sound mats and red word mats for support. We will continue to focus on these foundational skills for the next few weeks before returning to our book, The Girl at the Front of the Class.
In Geography, we looked at the seven continents and learned a very catchy song in the process! Afterwards, we identified that we currently live in the continent of Europe and located our position on a map. Next week, we will look at the four countries that make up the UK.
In RE, we started our exploration of Harvest. We focused on understanding where food comes from and, using packets and labels, identified where different foods could be found on a map. We learned that foods we eat regularly, such as bananas, come from much hotter countries than ours, and we were able to recognise that they come from continents such as South America and Africa.
In Outdoor Learning, we looked at developing the planters in the Year 1 playground. We started by weeding the planters using our tools and hands before adding more soil and compost and planting daffodil bulbs. We cannot wait to see how they grow in the spring.
In Science, we looked at the four seasons in more detail, linking our learning back to last week. We recognised that we are now in autumn and discovered more about the season, including that the weather becomes wetter and the days become shorter. We also identified what we would need to wear during this time of year.
In PE, we continued to develop our fundamental movement skills. We focused on running and recognised that we could move faster if we used our arms to support us. In our other lesson, we developed our ball skills, looking at how to create a range of numbers whilst maintaining control of the ball.
We also had the pleasure of Dan, The Skipping Man, on Tuesday. Here, he taught us how to skip confidently and safely, both indpendently and in a large jump rope! He has many videos online to develop this skill further!
Reminders
- PE is on Wednesday and Friday. Please ensure your child attends school wearing the correct PE uniform.
- Please check the uniform policy and adhere to the approved uniform options.
- Please ensure that your child brings a water bottle to school each day.
Date: 10th Sep 2026 @ 9:49pm
What another fantastic week we have had together, packed full of laughter, fun and excitement! We are so proud of how hard you have worked this week and the determination that you have all shown.
In Maths, we have been working on our counting skills, counting forwards and backwards to 20 and identifying missing numbers. We have also focused on sorting objects based on their properties, such as colour, shape and size, to name just a few. Next week, we will continue developing our counting skills and will focus on counting and representing given numbers.
In English, we have been focusing on our SPaG work, particularly dictated sentences. This has helped us to develop our ability to hold a sentence in our heads while also improving our understanding of plurals and choosing the correct suffixes. Next week, we will begin exploring our class text, The Girl at the Front of the Class, in greater detail.
We loved PE this week, especially our Fundamentals lesson! We enjoyed playing a range of games before focusing on our jumping skills. We practised jumping over a variety of equipment, including hurdles, spots and the speed jump mat. It proved to be much trickier than we first thought, but we persevered brilliantly!
We loved our Outdoor Learning lesson, taking part in a booked themed treasure hunt whilst also playing a range of outdoor games to get us into the mindset!
In Science, we looked at the four seasons. We learnt how the climate and weather changes and how, as Autmun and Winter is approaching, we will see an increase in rainwater. In order to test this theroy, we have created a water collection system and will periodically measure the amount of water each week.
The highlight of the week has got to be our Reading Festival. We have had so much fun completing a range of reading activities whilst also enjoying time in the reading tent. The children loved creating their own bookmarks to mark their pages and reading to one another. They also had great fun at the Usborne Book Fair, creating wish lists featuring books from a variety of genres.
The Year 1 Virtual Classroom has been updated and attached to this week's blog. It includes links to a variety of websites and resources to support additional learning at home.
Reminders:
- Please can we ask that parents read and adhere to the school uniform policy.
- PE days will continue to be on Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Outdoor Learning will take place on Monday afternoons.
Date: 3rd Sep 2026 @ 10:50pm
Welcome back, Year 1!
We are so happy to have all your happy, smiling faces back in class ready for the exciting year ahead. Your positivitiy and enthusiasm has bee delightful to see and has enabled us to have a fantastic first week back with some exciting and amazing memories already.
This week, we were shocked to find gigantic footsteps leading into our classroom, leading to a treasure box with a note from Madam Dragon, who challenged us to complete a series of tasks to earn gold stars just like Zog! The children had to work together, using our school SHINE values, to earn six gold stars to help Zog and also earn a special treat!
Throw a series of tasks, the chidlren explored the meaning of our values, as well as working as a team. They ensured that we included everyone and took turns along the way. We discusse the important of having fun whilst learning and helping our friends along the way.
We are so proud of the incredible start you have made, and cannot wait to see you flourish over the coming weeks.
Have a wonderful weekend, Year 1!
Reminders for Next Week:
- PE Days will be on a Wednesday and a Friday
- Outdoor Learning is on a Monday
- Please remember to bring small bags to school and water bottles
Date: 17th Jul 2026 @ 11:23am
As we reach the end of another wonderful year, I would like to take a moment to say just how incredibly proud I am of each and every one of you. You have all worked so hard throughout Year 1, showing kindness, determination and enthusiasm in everything you do. Together, we have learned so much, overcome challenges and made some fantastic memories along the way. It has been an absolute pleasure to spend this year with such a special group of children, and I cannot wait to continue our journey together next year!
In Maths this week, we spent time recapping our learning about time. The children revisited the days of the week and months of the year, discussing their order and thinking about special events that happen throughout the year. We then explored the difference between seconds, minutes and hours, developing our understanding of how time is measured. A definite highlight was singing our favourite song about telling the time! The children have become so confident with it that they now know all of the words and love performing it together.
On Monday, we were lucky enough to take part in an exciting scooter lesson. The children looked the part in their helmets and knee pads, learning how important it is to stay safe whilst scooting. They practised their balance, control and coordination and even learned some impressive new tricks, including how to bunny hop! It was wonderful to see everyone challenging themselves and building their confidence.
We also enjoyed a very special visit on Wednesday from former pupil Lana, who came to tell us all about her musical journey and how she became a member of the National Youth Orchestra. The children were fascinated by her story and inspired by the determination, dedication and enthusiasm she has shown to achieve her goals as a violinist. One of our favourite parts of the visit was listening to Lana perform some of our requested songs. We loved hearing familiar tunes from Frozen, Matilda and Golden, and were amazed by her talent. It was a truly memorable experience that showed us how hard work and perseverance can help us achieve our dreams.
As we say goodbye to Year 1, I want to thank all of the children and families for your support throughout the year. It has been a joy to watch the children grow in confidence, develop new skills and create such wonderful friendships. I hope you all have a fantastic summer filled with fun, laughter and new adventures.
Date: 9th Jul 2026 @ 8:32pm
In Maths this week, our learning focused on money. The children explored different coins and notes, learning to recognise them and understand their values. Through practical activities, games and discussions, they developed their understanding of the difference between pence and pounds and practised matching coins and notes to their correct values. Later in the week, the children began counting amounts using coins, applying their knowledge of counting in 2s and 5s to help them work out totals. They showed great enthusiasm and confidence as they developed these important real-life maths skills.
In English this week, we reached the end of our class story, Goldilocks and Just the One Bear. We spent time discussing the events of the story and thinking carefully about how the author had used language and punctuation to engage the reader. We explored verbs, learning that they are “doing words”, and created a collection of exciting past tense verbs such as looked, watched, talked, laughed and listened. One of our favourite activities was stepping into the role of the cat who watched the events unfold. Through hot-seating and drama, the children imagined what the cat might have seen and heard, sharing lots of creative ideas. They then used these ideas to write from the cat’s perspective, using simple descriptions, capital letters for proper nouns and and to join their ideas together. The children worked incredibly hard and produced some fantastic pieces of writing.
Our highlight this week was the Summer Fair on Friday! We had such a wonderful afternoon enjoying the sunshine with our friends and teachers. The children loved sharing a picnic together, taking part in games to win prizes and bouncing on the inflatables. There were smiles all around as everyone enjoyed the exciting activities and celebrated another fantastic year at school. We would like to say a huge thank you to Team TSP for all of the hard work, dedication and time they have given to making this year’s Summer Fair such a memorable event for our children and families.
Well done, Year 1, for another fantastic week of learning. Have a lovely weekend, and thank you for your continued support!
Date: 2nd Jul 2026 @ 10:54am
In Maths this week, our learning focused on place value within 100, with a particular emphasis on using and understanding number lines. We began by practising counting to 100 using the Jack Hartmann song, which helped to build fluency and confidence. The children then explored how to represent numbers on a number line, starting from different points such as 40–50 and 60–70, rather than always beginning at zero.
To make this learning practical and engaging, the children worked in groups outside using chalk to create their own number lines from 0 to 100. They carefully thought about number placement and spacing, developing their understanding of how numbers increase in equal steps. Back in the classroom, the children worked on completing missing number lines, using hundred squares to support them in visualising number patterns. Throughout the week, we also explored finding one more and one less, as well as comparing numbers using language such as more, less and greater than. The children used Base 10 resources and hundred squares to support their reasoning, helping them to build a secure understanding of how numbers are structured within 100.
In English this week, we continued exploring our class text Goldilocks and Just the One Bear. We read further into the story and discussed key events, thinking carefully about the characters and their actions. The children showed great curiosity when exploring questions such as who the “mummy” might be and what words like “ever-so slightly familiar” mean. We also revisited what Goldilocks had done in the past, linking this to the present story. The children then took part in exciting drama activities, working in role as Goldilocks and Little Bear. They performed short dialogues, imagining how the characters might speak and react when they meet again. This was a real highlight, with lots of fantastic ideas, expressive speaking and plenty of laughter! We also introduced the concept of a biography, learning that it is a non-fiction text written about a real person’s life. Using our discussions and ideas from the story, the children created their own biographies of Goldilocks, thinking about her life from childhood to adulthood. They worked hard to include capital letters for proper nouns and used simple descriptions to make their writing clear and interesting. The children should be very proud of their creative and thoughtful work.
In Science this week, we explored the plants growing around our school environment. We went on a walk around the grounds to discover a range of wild plants, including dandelions and other common weeds. The children carefully observed what they could see, discussing the different features of each plant. They then drew the plants they found, adding detail and beginning to describe them using simple scientific language. This activity helped the children to develop their observational skills and to understand that plants grow in many different places around us.
In RE, we travelled back in time to think about what life might have been like when Jesus was alive. The children explored how people learned in a synagogue and created their own scrolls to represent this. This hands-on activity helped bring history to life and deepen their understanding. We then created double bubble maps to compare our lives today with what life may have been like during Jesus’ time. The children thought carefully about similarities and differences, showing great understanding and reflection.
Well done, Year 1, for another fantastic week of learning. Have a lovely weekend, and thank you for your continued support.
Date: 25th Jun 2026 @ 2:51pm
What a wonderful week we have had!
In Maths this week, we focused on place value, recapping our previous learning about tens and ones. The children used Base 10 resources to support their understanding, helping them to physically build and represent numbers. We began working with numbers up to 100, focusing on how many tens and ones each number contains. To deepen their understanding, we also used a hundred square to help visualise numbers within 100, noticing patterns such as counting in tens and spotting sequences. These practical and visual approaches supported the children in developing a secure understanding of place value and how numbers are structured.
In English this week, the children stepped into the role of Bear from our class story Goldilocks and Just the One Bear. They had so much fun working in role, asking thoughtful questions to one another about the story. The children used their understanding of the text brilliantly, asking imaginative and insightful questions such as, “How did you feel when you were walking through the streets?”, “Why did you sit on a cactus?” and “How did the porridge taste?” They then extended this activity by writing a diary entry from Bear’s point of view. The children worked hard to include adjectives and use exciting punctuation to make their writing engaging for the reader. We were so impressed with their creativity and effort.
In History, we continued our learning about toys from the past, taking a closer look at how different toys were made and how they were played with. The children enjoyed exploring the differences between toys from the past and present, developing a deeper understanding of how materials and designs have changed over time.
Our highlight this week was spending the morning in Year 2! The children had the opportunity to explore the classroom and take part in a discussion about the similarities and differences between Year 1 and Year 2. They shared lots of thoughtful ideas and asked excellent questions, showing real maturity and excitement about the transition. It was lovely to see how reassured they felt about what will stay the same, as well as their enthusiasm for the new opportunities Year 2 will bring. To celebrate, we created a class paper chain, with each child writing something they are excited about on a strip before linking them together. It was a wonderful way to bring all of our ideas together.
Well done, Year 1, for another fantastic week of learning. Have a lovely weekend, and thank you for your continued support.
Date: 17th Jun 2026 @ 8:43pm
What a fantastic week we have had!
In Maths this week, our learning focused on halves and quarters. The children took part in a range of practical and engaging activities to help deepen their understanding of fractions. They explored sharing objects into equal groups, folding shapes and using visual representations to recognise one half and one quarter. These hands-on experiences supported the children in developing their understanding that fractions are equal parts of a whole, in line with the Key Stage 1 National Curriculum. The children showed great enthusiasm and growing confidence as they began to recognise and describe simple fractions in a variety of contexts.
In English, we used our phonics knowledge to spell words and create sentences, focusing on Set 2 and Set 3 sounds. The children worked hard to apply their learning independently, using Fred Talk to segment each word carefully before writing. This process really helped them to build accuracy and confidence in their spelling. We also practised dictation this week, using lots of “my turn, your turn” to support memory and sentence recall. The children did a fantastic job of listening carefully, holding sentences and writing them down, really putting their learning to the test.
In History, we continued our learning about toys from the past. The children enjoyed reflecting on what they had learned last week and were excited to share the work they had completed at home with their families. It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm and involvement, and we loved hearing about the special toys that family members played with when they were younger. This helped the children develop a stronger understanding of how toys have changed over time.
In Science this week, we explored the life cycle of a plant. The children learned about each stage, from seed to fully grown plant, and described what happens at each point using pictures and simple descriptive sentences. They enjoyed discussing how plants grow and what they need to survive, linking their learning to the world around them.
Our highlight this week was our fantastic class trip to Tatton Park! We had an amazing time learning all about the Victorians and what life was like for children during that time. The children were fully engaged throughout the day and loved experiencing the life of a servant, being able to act like servants all day really brought our learning to life.
Well done, Year 1, for another wonderful week of learning. Have a lovely weekend, and thank you as always for your continued support.
Date: 11th Jun 2026 @ 5:43pm
This week has been full of exciting learning, hands-on activities and wonderful enthusiasm across all of our subjects.
In Maths, we continued developing our understanding of multiplication and division, focusing on sharing and grouping. The children explored how numbers can be shared equally into groups and how we can group objects together to find totals. We used practical resources such as counters and cubes to help us see these concepts more clearly, supporting the idea that multiplication involves repeated groups and division involves sharing into equal parts. The children worked hard to understand what it means for groups to be equal, linking this to the Year 1 objective of solving simple problems involving multiplication and division using concrete objects and pictorial representations. It has been lovely to see their confidence grow as they explained their thinking and made connections between grouping, sharing and repeated addition.
In English, we focused on writing our own short poems inspired by our new story, Goldilocks and Just One Bear. We listened carefully to a sound clip of a busy city and discussed the different noises we could hear, such as beeping horns, people laughing and singing, and footsteps stomping along the pavement. This helped us to build a bank of ideas before writing our poems. The children were very creative, using their senses and imagination to describe what they could hear and picture. It was wonderful to see such thoughtful word choices and to hear the children sharing their ideas with such excitement.
In History, we continued exploring our topic on toys from the past. This week, we were very lucky to enjoy a special show and tell session, where children brought in old toys to share with the class. We found the stories behind these toys fascinating and loved hearing about who they belonged to and how they were played with. This helped us to deepen our understanding of how toys have changed over time and made our learning even more meaningful.
In DT, we had a fun and practical lesson learning about fruits. The children worked together to sort a range of items into fruits and non-fruits, carefully examining each one. We discovered that fruits contain seeds, and this is what scientists use to classify something as a fruit. The children were really interested to find seeds inside different fruits and were surprised by some of the results. This hands-on experience helped them to better understand how foods are grouped and where they come from.
Well done, Year 1. You have all worked incredibly hard this week and should be very proud of everything you have achieved.
Date: 4th Jun 2026 @ 12:12pm
This week has been full of exciting discoveries, creative thinking and hands-on learning across the curriculum.
In English, we began predicting what our new story might be about. We explored our star vocabulary and even played charades to help us understand and remember some of the new words. The children developed a great understanding of words and phrases such as lolloping, peeked and nipped, and it was wonderful to see them using these in their discussions. We made predictions about the story and many of us thought it might be the familiar tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. To help us recall the story, we retold our own versions, sharing ideas and sequencing the events. We are very excited to find out if our predictions are correct.
In Maths, we continued to build our understanding of multiplication and division, focusing on arrays. The children learned about rows and columns and practised creating their own arrays using counters and counting bears. We then linked this to repeated addition, matching number sentences to our arrays. It was fantastic to see the children making these connections and explaining their thinking with increasing confidence.
In History, we started what is sure to be one of our most exciting topics.. toys. We began by exploring toys from the past, comparing the toys we play with today to those our families may have used, as well as toys from Victorian times. The children were fascinated to see how toys have changed over time and asked lots of thoughtful questions.
In RE, we began thinking about what the world might have been like in Jesus’ time compared to our world today. We focused on the ideas of past and present and made comparisons between how people lived then and how we live now. The children particularly enjoyed dressing up as people from Jesus’ time, which helped bring our learning to life and made the experience even more engaging.
Well done, Year 1, you have all worked incredibly hard this week and should be very proud of yourselves.
Date: 20th May 2026 @ 1:06pm
This week has been full of exciting new learning, thoughtful discussions and a wonderfully calm atmosphere in our classroom.
In Maths, we began learning all about time. The children were so excited to start telling the time, and it was lovely to see some children eager to share their prior knowledge. We explored what time means in our daily lives and began to look at o’clock times. We also introduced fractions, focusing on halves and quarters. We discussed the ideas of sharing, grouping and making things equal, and the children enjoyed exploring this with practical resources. It was fantastic to see them beginning to understand these important concepts so confidently.
In PSHE, we had a very special RSE week, where we explored a range of important topics. We had thoughtful discussions about stereotyping and explored how boys and girls can enjoy the same things. The children were really respectful and open-minded during these conversations. We also learned about different types of families and how all families can look different, but are built on the same unconditional love and care. The children showed such maturity and kindness when sharing their ideas, and we were very proud of them.
In PE, we continued with our yoga sessions, which we are all thoroughly enjoying. The children are really embracing the calm and mindful atmosphere, and it has been wonderful to see the positive impact this is having in the classroom. They are becoming more focused, relaxed and ready to learn, making it a truly special part of our week.
Well done, Year 1. You have all worked incredibly hard this half term, and we are so proud of everything you have achieved.
I hope you all have a lovely and restful half term, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Date: 14th May 2026 @ 12:12pm
In Maths this week, our learning focused on the 2s, 5s and 10s times tables. The children enjoyed using fun songs and interactive games to help them practise reciting their tables with confidence. They showed great enthusiasm and determination, eagerly challenging themselves to beat their previous scores each time. It has been wonderful to see their growing confidence and motivation as they continue to develop their multiplication skills.
In English, the children put their writing skills to the test by completing an independent write, giving them the opportunity to show how much they have learned this term. They focused on using and to join phrases, applying the prefix un- to change the meaning of words, and using exclamation marks to add expression and excitement to their sentences. The children worked hard and were very proud of their writing, producing some fantastic pieces.
In Geography, we explored where we live in more detail, focusing on addresses and our local area. The children enjoyed discussing their own addresses and learning about why they are important. This helped to deepen their understanding of their local community and how places are organised.
We also enjoyed lots of mindfulness this week during our yoga sessions. The children practised their favourite poses and focused on breathing and relaxation. These sessions helped to create a calm and positive atmosphere, supporting the children’s wellbeing alongside their learning.
Art was a real highlight this week as the children had the opportunity to use LEGO to create pieces of art. They explored primary colours and created abstract designs, using the backs of LEGO bricks to add texture and pattern to their work. The children were incredibly creative and loved experimenting with different techniques.
Well done to everyone for another brilliant week of learning. Have a lovely weekend, and thank you as always for your continued support.
Date: 7th May 2026 @ 8:05pm
In Maths this week, our learning focused on doubles and near doubles to help strengthen quick recall skills. The children took part in a variety of practical and engaging games such as Hit the Button, Snakes and Ladders and dice games, all of which involved rolling doubles and using near doubles to solve calculations efficiently. These activities supported the children in developing confidence and fluency with mental addition while having lots of fun.
In Geography, we explored our local area, discussing Formby and what makes it special. The children learned about the difference between urban and rural areas, identifying key features of each. We compared rural areas such as the Lake District, which has open countryside, hills and fewer buildings, with busy urban areas like Liverpool and Southport, which have more shops, roads, housing and transport links. This helped the children develop a clearer understanding of different types of settlements and how places can vary.
In RE, we worked together as a whole class to complete a large jigsaw puzzle to help us understand the meaning of baptism. Each piece of the puzzle represented a person, showing how being baptised means becoming part of the church community, where everyone belongs and each individual is important. This activity helped the children understand the idea of belonging and how communities are strengthened when everyone is included.
Our news focus this week was the birthday of Sir David Attenborough. The children were fascinated learning about his incredible life and achievements, and we were inspired by the positive impact he has had on our understanding of the natural world. To celebrate, we enjoyed a day of David Attenborough–inspired activities. We were mesmerised watching clips from Our Planet, learned more about his journey to becoming such an influential figure, and used whiteboards and magnifying glasses to explore minibeasts on the playground. The children also used iPads to draw animals, create posters about their favourite natural wonders and even recorded their own David Attenborough–style voice-overs.
Well done to everyone for another fantastic week of learning. Have a lovely weekend, and thank you for your continued support.
Date: 30th Apr 2026 @ 4:42pm
The children have continued to show fantastic attitudes, working hard, supporting one another and approaching new challenges with confidence.
In English, we focused on developing our character description skills. The children practised writing full sentences using a range of adjectives to describe characters clearly and in detail. We also worked on joining ideas using words such as and and so that, helping sentences to flow and make sense. To extend our descriptions further, we introduced the use of words ending in est to compare characters, for example “He is the strongest cowboy!” The children had some brilliant ideas and showed great progress in building richer, more descriptive sentences.
In Maths, we continued to strengthen our understanding of place value by developing our addition skills. The main focus was adding on by making links to known number bonds. The children practised using number bonds confidently to help them calculate addition problems more efficiently, explaining their thinking and making connections between numbers. This approach supported their growing fluency and confidence when working with numbers.
In Geography, we learned more about key landmarks found within the countries of the United Kingdom. The children explored famous locations such as the London Eye in England and Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, discussing what they look like, where they are found and why they are important. This helped to deepen their understanding of the UK’s geography and develop their ability to recognise and talk about significant human features.
In Music, we explored how music can be created using everyday objects. The children experimented with making different sounds using items such as brushes, pencils, water, skipping ropes and even tennis rackets. They listened carefully to how sounds changed and discussed which objects made high, low, loud or quiet sounds. We are really looking forward to creating our own simple instruments using everyday materials.
In PE, we enjoyed another yoga session, learning new poses and showing lots of creativity by inventing fun and imaginative names for them. Later in the week, we loved our tennis lesson on Thursday. The children learned how to hold a tennis racket correctly and took part in games that developed control and coordination, practising keeping the ball balanced and moving the racket carefully.
Reminders for this week:
- Please ensure all children are wearing the correct school uniform each day, in line with the uniform policy.
- All children should bring a water bottle to school every day.
- Where possible, please provide a healthy snack for morning break time.
- Outdoor learning will continue on Fridays; children are welcome to bring a change of shoes if needed.
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Additional contributions are still being collected for this term, as outlined in the letter sent in September. These contributions help us to provide a wide range of enriching experiences for the children throughout the year. All contributions are greatly appreciated and make a real difference to the opportunities we can offer our pupils. Thank you for your continued support.
Well done, Year One, for another fantastic week. We hope you all have a lovely weekend and enjoy the bank holiday!
Date: 23rd Apr 2026 @ 3:52pm
In Maths this week, our focus was place value within 50, in line with the National Curriculum objectives for Year One. The children worked hard to recognise, read and order numbers to 50, developing a clear understanding of how numbers increase and relate to each other. A key area of learning was using and estimating on a number line to 50. The children practised placing numbers accurately, ensuring they were the correct way around and in the correct order, and began to estimate where numbers should sit between given points. This helped to strengthen their underst
anding of magnitude and position, and it was lovely to see their confidence grow as the week went on.
In English, we focused on developing our descriptive writing skills. The children thoroughly enjoyed unpicking characters and discussing their appearance, feelings and personalities. We explored how using a variety of adjectives and descriptive phrases can help bring characters to life, and the children had some fantastic ideas.
In RE, we shared baptism photographs and talked about what we could remember from these special days. The children listened respectfully and enjoyed learning about one another’s experiences. We also learned about the baptism of Jesus and began to understand why baptism is such an important celebration for Christians, marking a welcome into the church community. The discussions were thoughtful and showed growing understanding of faith and belonging.
In Geography, we learned about the countries and cities within the United Kingdom. The children identified England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and explored some major cities and their famous landmarks. We discussed features such as the London Eye and Edinburgh Castle, developing our knowledge of what makes different places special and recognisable.
Well done Year One for another super week of hard work. We are very proud of you all and hope you have a lovely, restful weekend.
Date: 16th Apr 2026 @ 5:50pm
What a wonderful week it’s been in Year 1 – full of thoughtful learning, new topics, and lots of smiles!
In Maths, we continued to develop our understanding of place value within 50. The children worked really hard using tens and ones frames, as well as Base 10 resources, to physically build and represent numbers. We have been practising how to use a place value chart with growing confidence, and it has been fantastic to see how secure the children are becoming when working with tens and ones.
In English, we began an exciting new story called Toys in Space. We made links to the much-loved film Toy Story, comparing characters and thinking about similarities and differences. This week, we explored the first few pages, making predictions about what might happen next and discussing how the characters might be feeling. There were some brilliant ideas and lots of imaginative thinking!
In RE, we started our lovely new topic all about Baptism. It was wonderful to share our own memories of baptisms and to talk about what a baptism is and why it is special to Christians. The children listened carefully to one another and shared their experiences so thoughtfully. Next week, we are looking forward to exploring these memories further by looking at photographs from these special occasions.
In Geography, we explored the continents and oceans of the world. Using music, pictures, and maps, the children began to learn their names and locations. It was a fun and engaging way to start building our understanding of the wider world.
In PE, we enjoyed a calm and relaxing yoga session, trying out different poses and focusing on our balance and breathing. We also began our new topic of net and wall games, where we practised rolling small balls with control and accuracy.
Well done, Year 1, for all your hard work and enthusiasm this week. Have a lovely, restful weekend!
Date: 24th Mar 2026 @ 2:07pm
We’ve had another fantastic week in class, filled with curiosity, creativity and so many proud moments.
In Maths this week, we focused on mass and capacity, with a particular emphasis on understanding capacity. The children developed a great understanding of what volume and capacity mean and were able to confidently recall our star vocabulary throughout the week, including full, empty, nearly full and nearly empty. We used a range of containers, cups and pots to compare capacity, describing which held more or less and explaining our thinking clearly.
To celebrate World Maths Day, we enjoyed a whole day of exciting maths challenges. We designed the longest repeated patterns, built the tallest and longest structures in the block area, and worked on super tricky shape patterns using iPads and Lego. It was a brilliant day full of teamwork, problem‑solving and lots of smiles.
We also completed a fantastic DT project this week: designing and making our very own hand puppets. Using colourful felt, staples, glue and plenty of imagination, the children created wonderful characters and showed great determination and creativity. They were so proud of their finished puppets, and rightly so!
With Easter approaching, we enjoyed getting into the festive spirit. One of our highlights was taking part in Easter baking, making delicious rice crispy cakes. The children loved mixing and decorating their treats. We also created beautiful Easter cards using bright colours, collage and thoughtful messages.
In RE, we discussed how the Easter story is represented in the celebrations that take place across the UK. The children shared some of their favourite Easter traditions and talked about special memories. We then learned about different parts of a church and how many of these features represent elements of the Easter story. The children showed a thoughtful understanding and asked some excellent questions.
It has been a wonderful week full of learning, creativity and special moments. We are very proud of the children for their enthusiasm, positivity and brilliant behaviour throughout, enjoy a lovely half term Year 1! I look forward to seeing you all after Easter!
Date: 20th Mar 2026 @ 4:10pm
We have had another wonderful week in Year One, full of learning, excitement and brilliant behaviour. The children have continued to impress us with their kindness, manners and enthusiasm, and it has been lovely to see how happily they have settled back into school life.
In Maths this week, we focused on mass, using practical equipment to measure and compare weight. The
children explored balancing scales, handled different classroom objects and used key vocabulary such as heavier, lighter, heaviest and lightest. They enjoyed making predictions, checking their ideas and discussing their findings with great confidence.
In RE, the children created beautiful watercolour artwork linked to the Easter story. They explored colour mixing, brush control and thoughtful imagery, resulting in some truly lovely pieces that showed care and creativity.
During our sing and praise assemblies, we continued to learn a range of new songs. The children have par
ticularly enjoyed learning the actions and performing each song with energy and enthusiasm. Their confidence when singing together has grown so much this term.
In Computing, we had a very exciting session using iPads. The children learned how to scan QR codes and log in to their own accounts independently. We explored Seesaw and practised using digital tools to draw with shapes, which ended up being one of the highlights of the week.
Our favourite moment this week was our fantastic trip to Windmill Farm. The children had a brilliant time playing in the park, riding the go‑karts and tackling the obstacle course. They met lots of different animals and had the special opportunity to feed lambs, goats, llamas and alpacas. Everyone showed great bravery and care when handling and feeding the animals. We also visited the reptile room, where we learned fascinating facts about bearded dragons, snakes and other creatures. The children listened beautifully and asked thoughtful questions throughout. We were incredibly proud of how sensibly and politely Year One represented our school during the entire trip.
Thank you for a lovely week of hard work, fun and fantastic behaviour. We hope you all enjoy a restful and happy weekend.
Date: 12th Mar 2026 @ 5:33pm
What a wonderful week we’ve had in Year 1!
This week has been full of hands-on learning, incredible imagination and plenty of “wow” moments across all our subjects.
In Maths, we began exploring length and height. The children loved comparing objects around the classroom and deciding which were longer, taller or shorter. We used both non-standard units such as blocks and cubes, as well as standard units like rulers. It was brilliant to see the children carefully lining up their equipment, checking their measurements and talking confidently about what they had found. Their enthusiasm for practical Maths made our lessons lively and exciting.
In English, we wrote our very first diary entry all about Timothée and his chase to find his brother, Teddy. I was absolutely blown away by the quality of the writing this week. Every single child showed such incredible effort—their imagination shone through, and their thoughtful vocabulary choices made their diary entries so exciting to read. It was a true joy to see how hard they have all been working and how proud they were of their finished pieces.
In RE, we spent time discussing the Easter Story. The children shared what they already knew, asked thoughtful questions, and then explored why Spring is often linked with Easter. We talked about new life, growth and hope, which linked beautifully with the fact that we now have our very own caterpillars in Year 1. We are looking forward to watching them grow and change over the next few weeks.
In Geography, we continued learning about life on the farm. This week was especially exciting because some of our own little experts brought in real objects from the farm, along with videos and photographs. The children were fascinated and asked so many brilliant questions to find out more about what life is really like for a farmer. We are beginning to understand just how much hard work goes into running a farm, and the children showed fantastic curiosity throughout.
Reminders -
Our trip to Windmill Farm is next Thursday, 19th March.
Please ensure children wear their PE kits.
If your child is bringing a packed lunch, please ensure it is in a disposable bag and that they have a disposable water bottle.
Date: 5th Mar 2026 @ 7:31pm
What a fun and exciting week it’s been in Year 1!
In Maths, we continued building on our place value learning from last week. This time we worked with numbers from 20 to 50, practising our counting and becoming more confident with larger numbers. We also developed our partitioning skills, breaking numbers up into tens and ones. Using Base 10 resources really helped us to see how numbers are made and supported our understanding. The children did a fantastic job explaining their thinking and showing how they know how many tens and ones are in a number.
In English, we worked hard on developing our descriptive writing. Using our new story as inspiration, we practised writing sentences that describe what is happening in more detail. We focused on using the word “and” to join phrases together and make our sentences longer and more interesting. The children came up with some wonderful ideas and showed great imagination in their writing.
In Geography, we continued learning about life on the farm. This week we discovered more about how animals are looked after, learning about pig sties and chicken coops. The children enjoyed discussing why animals need different types of homes and how farmers care for them.
It was also an extra special week because we celebrated World Book Day! We were lucky enough to take part in a fantastic dance lesson, moving and grooving to “I Want to Be Like You” from The Jungle Book. We were so impressed by everyone’s brilliant listening skills and enthusiastic dancing. The monkey-like moves and wonderful partner work were definitely a highlight! We had a Matilda-themed day, which was so much fun. One of our favourite activities was making mini chocolate cakes to recreate the famous chocolate cake scene. The children loved acting out their favourite moments while enjoying their delicious creations. It was such a joyful way to celebrate our love of stories and books.
Date: 25th Feb 2026 @ 6:28pm
What a fantastic week it’s been in Year 1. It has been wonderful to welcome you all back to school after a well deserved break!
In Maths, we turned our attention to place value, working with numbers greater than 20. The children explored how numbers are made up of tens and ones and practised representing them in different ways. We talked about how quickly and easily we can fill ten frames to help us count larger numbers with confidence. One of our favourite activities this week was playing Race to 50! The excitement in the classroom was brilliant, and it was a fantastic way to put our place value knowledge into action.
In English, we began a brand-new story featuring a very mysterious main character. The children became detectives, hunting for clues throughout the week to work out who (or what!) it could be. There were lots of thoughtful guesses and brilliant discussions, and by the end of the week we discovered that a curious woolly mammoth was on the loose! Some of us guessed correctly on the very first day – super stars!
In Geography, we started our new topic all about life on the farm. We learned about the different types of produce that farms grow and rear, and the children enjoyed sharing their own experiences of visiting farms or seeing farm animals. We’re excited to continue exploring where our food comes from.
In RE, we began learning about spring and how it represents new life. The children were set a special challenge to look for signs of spring around them. We made some lovely discoveries in the playground, in our gardens at home, and even on our walks to school. From blossom on trees to brighter mornings and new flowers blooming, the children were fantastic at spotting the changes around them. I was so impressed with their enthusiasm and keen observation skills!
Well done, Year 1, for another week of hard work and brilliant learning. Keep shining!
Date: 11th Feb 2026 @ 11:47am
What a fantastic end to our half term in Year 1 – full of reflection, creativity, and brilliant learning!
In Maths, we continued focusing on subtraction within 20, but this week we challenged ourselves even further by exploring related facts and fact families. We discovered how addition and subtraction number sentences are connected and how knowing one fact can help us work out another. The children worked so hard to spot these links and explain their thinking. We have absolutely loved playing maths games this half term – especially Snakes and Ladders! It has been such a fun way to put our number knowledge to the test and practise counting forwards and backwards with confidence.
In RE, we brought together our learning about key Christian beliefs, including Creation, The Fall, the Trinity, and Salvation. We reflected on why Christians believe Jesus is special and discussed how he performed miracles because he was sent by God – God in human form. It has been wonderful to see the children beginning to understand and talk about these important ideas with growing confidence.
In History, we brought our Titanic learning to a close by discussing ways the disaster could have been prevented. The children used their knowledge to explore different factors, such as investing more money in lifeboats, having speed limits, and improving lifeboat training drills. This led to some fantastic discussions and showed how confidently the children can now think about cause, effect, and change.
We also had so much fun with junk modelling this week! Using cardboard boxes, tubes, and recycled materials, the children used their creativity and imagination to design and build their very own Titanic models. The teamwork and enthusiasm on display were wonderful to see.
Important reminders:
Reading books have been collected this week ready for regrouping next half term, so children will not have school reading books over the holidays.
QR codes have been sent out to help further embed the sounds the children have been taught this half term. Please try to watch these over the holiday – one a day is recommended to keep the learning fresh.
To continue developing a love for reading, please spend time reading with your child using books of their choice. Sharing stories together is one of the best ways to build confidence, fluency, and enjoyment in reading.
I am so incredibly proud of all your hard work this half term, Year 1. You have all made wonderful progress – enjoy a very well-deserved break!