Year 1 & Year 2

Welcome to Year 1 and Year 2.

Our teaching team is Mrs Cook (Blue), Mrs Wallace and Mrs Henderson (Pink) and Mrs Wilson (Bronze).

How is Year 1/2 different to other year groups?

Following the Early Years Foundation Stage, children begin to become ready for a more formal approach. This is very gradual in our school. Year 1 is a major transition year, that retains many features of a Reception classroom (such as children’s ability to choose which activities they engage with and play to learn important social skills). By the start of Year 2, most pupils are ready for a more traditional approach to school that they will continue with in Years 3 to 6.

• Phonic knowledge (the sounds letters make) is essential to children’s reading and writing. There is daily practice of both elements. We continue to use Read Write Inc., our approved phonics scheme, to achieve this. Pupils undergo a phonics screening check at the end of Year 1. If children do not pass this check, they are re-tested at the end of Year 2. The majority of pupils should complete the phonics programme by the end of Year 1.
• Children are exposed to a range of separate subjects (such as Art, History and Computing), in line with the full National Curriculum.
• There is a gradual increase in homework: we encourage daily reading with parents, as this has the most benefit.
• Children continue to receive a lot of support in the teaching phase but are encouraged to ‘have a go’ afterwards, by themselves, as much as possible. Pupils are developing a positive attitude towards learning.