Welcome to Year 1—where creativity and curiosity continue to flourish! This term, children will engage in an exciting enquiry-based approach to learning, developing their skills in Art, Science, Design Technology (DT), and Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE). Through hands-on activities, discussions, and creative projects, they will explore the theme of change and growth.

Enquiry-Based Learning

This term, children will investigate the concept of change across different subjects. They will explore how growth happens in nature, art, and their own lives, leading to a deeper understanding of how transformation shapes the world around them.

Creative Explorations: Learning Through Art

🎨 Exploring Sculpture and Growth

• Children will develop their artistic skills by experimenting with sculpture and different materials.

• They will reflect on their progress, recognising how they have grown as artists.

• Inspired by Bridget Beth Collins, children will learn how artists use natural materials to create beautiful artwork.

Science Explorations: Understanding Growth in Nature

🌱 Observing Changes in Plants and Our Bodies

• Children will describe how their bodies change as they grow, recognising signs of development.

• They will observe how plants change as they grow, learning about the different stages of plant life.

• Through hands-on investigations, they will explore the conditions needed for healthy growth.

Healthy Living: Learning Through Design Technology

🍎 Creating a Healthy Lifestyle

• Children will learn how to safely prepare a nutritious fruit salad, understanding the importance of healthy eating.

• They will develop practical skills such as cutting, mixing, and combining ingredients.

• Discussions will highlight how the food we eat helps our bodies grow strong and healthy.

Understanding Relationships and Growth: PSHE

🤝 The People Who Help Us Grow

• Children will explore how different people in their lives, such as family, friends, and teachers, support their learning and development.

• They will discuss how changes in relationships and friendships can help them grow emotionally and socially.

Authentic Outcome: Farmers' Market and Community Celebration

🛍️ Showcasing Learning Through a Farmers' Market

• Children will design and create posters to promote the Farmers' Market, showcasing their knowledge of shape, line, and pattern in art.

• They will display and sell their artwork and homegrown vegetable plants, sharing their learning with families and the wider school community.

• A parent bake-off will encourage discussions on nutritious food choices and healthy lifestyles.

• The term will conclude with the grand opening of the school allotment, celebrating children's efforts in sustainability and creative expression.

Social Legacy: Giving Back to the Community

💛 Leaving a Lasting Impact

• Proceeds from the Farmers' Market will be reinvested into the school to support future art projects and creative learning opportunities.

• Children's artwork will be used to decorate the school allotment, creating a lasting display for future students to enjoy.

English

A high-quality text drives each of our enquiries and the texts are used to give knowledge and purpose to the enquiry. High quality texts can only be accessed through knowledge of vocabulary in different tiers. Explicit teaching of new vocabulary and using the classroom environment to showcase key vocabulary helps us to infuse rich and sophisticated vocabulary from EYFS to Year 6. The texts are used as a stimulus for both English and cross curricular writing, ensuring high expectations of our children. Reading is interwoven into all aspects of the enquiry to encourage reading and language development and promote reading for pleasure.

Maths

In maths we follow the Power Maths programme to support children’s learning and to build a deep understanding of maths concepts. Power Maths is a curriculum mastery programme designed to spark curiosity and excitement and nurture confidence in maths. It is built around a child‑centred lesson design that models and embeds a growth mindset approach to maths.

This term we are covering the following:

Multiplication and Division

• Introducing the concept of grouping and sharing objects equally.
• Exploring multiplication as repeated addition (e.g., 2 + 2 + 2 = 6).
• Using arrays to represent and solve simple multiplication problems.
• Understanding division as sharing equally and grouping objects.

Fractions

• Introducing halves and quarters using objects and shapes.
• Understanding how to split objects and shapes into equal parts.
• Recognising and finding one half and one quarter of an object or group.
• Using practical activities to explore fractions in real-life contexts.

Numbers to 100

• Extending counting, reading, and writing numbers up to 100.
• Developing confidence with place value by identifying tens and ones in numbers up to 100.
• Comparing and ordering numbers within 100 using greater than, less than, and equal symbols.
• Counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s to develop patterns and fluency with sequences.

Money

• Recognising and identifying British coins and notes.
• Understanding the value of different coins and using them in practical activities.
• Solving simple problems involving addition and subtraction with money.
• Using role-play to explore buying and selling items with coins.

Time

• Learning to tell the time to the hour and half hour using an analogue clock.
• Understanding the concept of o’clock and half past.
• Sequencing events in the day (e.g., morning, afternoon, evening) and recognising the order of daily routines.
• Using time language such as "earlier," "later," "sooner," and "later on."