Welcome to Year 1 23/24

I am Mrs Matthews and I am the Year 1 teacher.  I will be supported by Mrs Warrilow, Miss Challinor, Mrs Stritheran (Teaching Assistants) and Miss Morgan  (1:1 support). As a team we are looking forward to a fantastic year of teaching and learning.

Why can transition to year 1 be tricky?

• Firstly, learning in reception is play-based. Your child has  got lots of freedom to choose their own activities and can move on to something else when they choose. In year 1, learning becomes more formal, subject-based and adult-directed. 
• Expectations increase in year 1: your child must follow instructions, focus for longer periods and become more independent.
• There are fewer opportunities to 'let off steam' or to have some quiet time.
• Children have to cope with all of this, along with lots of other changes, such as a new teacher, new classroom, possibly new classmates, maybe even a different playground.

As a school we are equipped to deal with this transition.  The children have been getting prepared for this in Reception and during the first half term of year 1, we have scheduled some time into our day for children to have some ‘choose’ time and continue the play based learning they are used to in Reception.  

What can parents and carers do?

• Talk positively about the move to year 1 and play down your own anxieties if you have them. For example, instead of saying things like, ‘You’ll have to work a lot harder in year 1’, say, ‘It will be exciting to learn about new things, won’t it?’
• Talk about what is coming up in September. The summer holiday is a longer one, so it helps to keep the changes fresh in your child’s mind. Talk about their new teacher and what they are looking forward to in year 1.
• Read! Reading with and to your child is the single most powerful thing you can do to support their learning and progress at school. 
• Lastly, always speak to the class teacher if you have any concerns.  

Communication and Reminders

• School starts promptly at 855am please be on time.  Formal learning begins at 9am, if your child is late they will miss some vital learning. 
• School ends at 330pm please collect your child on time, late collection can be very unsettling for children.  
• If your child has any food allergies or dietary requirements please let us know. 
• If your child uses an inhaler please leave one in school at all times.
• PE is on Tuesdays, please wear PE kit (white top / black bottoms) 
• Please join Class Dojo. You will receive pictures and updates on there.  To join please give in your email address to a member of staff.
• Or follow this link.   https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=CR8WUBV 

Useful Websites and Resources

Mathletics https://student.mathletics.com

Times Table Rock Stars https://ttrockstars.com

Purple Mash https://www.purplemash.com