Key Stage One - years 1 & 2

Welcome to Key Stage One

Mrs Cargill - teacher in year one

Mrs Hay - teacher in year two. 

Children join year one after their 'reception' year. They move from a play based curriculum, to more adult directed sessions.

Children in year one and two learn a broad curriculum, using the national curriculum as a basis for rich understanding. 

At Shephalbury Park we recognise the need to support children carefully with this transition. Our children continue to have provision for free flow play in year one. This is both inside and outside as it is in the early years.  

Additionally the children have set playtimes. 

As the year progresses, the format moves into the traditional year one format of adult led learning sessions, with set playtimes in between. 

Children in key stage one are provided with a healthy snack in the mornings, such as a piece of fruit. You may choose to send your child with a snack they prefer. Wrapped items are avoided, as these cause litter and are not good for the environment.

All children have their water bottles. They can access these in class and throughout play. Staying hydrated is key to ensuring that children remain alert and in good health.

Reading

We begin in early years with phonics using the Little Wandle scheme. This progresses with the children, and is our scheme for teaching reading throughout key stage one.  The phonics scheme helps to prepare our children for passing the government's phonics screening check. This takes place in June of year one. 

Children have spellings sent home regularly so that you can be involved with their progress as they learn to put sounds together to form words. 

A phonics reading book will be provided to each child, and they can also choose a free reading book from our well stocked school library. We encourage daily reading. Ten to twenty minutes a day is shown to be more helpful than a long read once a week.  Reading helps to build vocabulary, and supports children's thinking and socialising skills. 

Phonics - For parents | Letters and Sounds (littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk)