Welcome to Year 1
Beech and Birch
Welcome to Year 1!
We are delighted to welcome you to Year 1 and look forward to an exciting year ahead, filled with engaging learning opportunities, new experiences and plenty of fun. As the children make the important transition from Reception into Year 1, we will continue to nurture their confidence, independence and love of learning through a balance of practical, hands-on activities and more structured lessons.
Our classroom is a happy, supportive and inspiring environment where every child is encouraged to thrive, take on new challenges and celebrate their successes. We look forward to working closely with you and sharing the children's achievements and memorable moments throughout the year.
We can't wait to embark on the Year 1 adventure together at Elburton Primary!
Meet the Team
Miss Alice Collinson
Birch Class Teacher (Monday - Thursday) Key Stage 1 & Early Reading Lead
- alice.collinson@elburtonprimary.co.uk
Mrs Taffeta Sammels
Birch Class Teacher (Fridays) & Deputy SENCo
- taffeta.sammels@elburtonprimary.co.uk
Mrs Natasha Griffiths
Beech Class Teacher & Science Subject Lead
Outside of school, I am married and have four children, as well as a dog who is convinced she is one of the humans in the family! My interests include creativity, mathematics, science, and history. I also enjoy exploring the South West Coast Path and can often be found swimming in the sea, even during the winter months.
I am passionate about learning and love bringing that enthusiasm into the classroom, helping children develop their knowledge, confidence, and a lifelong love of discovery.
- natasha.griffiths@elburtonprimary.co.uk
Mrs Nikki Smith
Higher Teaching and Learning Assistant
Mrs Lisa Couling
Teaching Assistant
Keeping in Touch
We value strong partnerships between home and school and believe that regular communication helps children to thrive.
If you have any questions, concerns or information that may help us support your child, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
How we communicate
- Class Dojo will be used to share class updates, reminders and celebrations.
- Important whole-school information will be sent via e mail.
- Teachers can be contacted via email using the addresses listed above.
- Please contact the school office regarding absences, appointments or changes to collection arrangements.
We aim to respond to messages as promptly as possible during the school week. If a matter is urgent, please contact the school office directly.
Thank you for working in partnership with us. We greatly value the support of our Year 1 families.
Learning in Year 1
At Elburton Primary School, we follow a carefully planned and ambitious curriculum that is fully aligned with the National Curriculum. Our curriculum has been designed to ensure that children build knowledge and skills progressively as they move through the school, helping them to know more, remember more and achieve more.
The Long-Term Overview provides an outline of the learning that children will experience throughout the year across all curriculum subjects. Each topic has been carefully selected and sequenced to build upon previous learning, make meaningful links across subjects and deepen children’s understanding of the world around them.
We encourage parents to explore the overview to gain an understanding of the exciting learning opportunities planned for Year 1 and how these fit within our wider whole-school curriculum journey. Throughout the year, children will revisit key knowledge and concepts to strengthen their understanding and support long-term memory.
Year 1 Expectations
What Are We Learning This Term?
Our Termly Overview gives an outline of the exciting learning your child will be exploring this term. It highlights the key topics, texts and curriculum areas that will be taught, helping you understand what your child is learning in school and how you can support them at home.
The overview forms part of our carefully planned curriculum and shows how new learning builds on previous knowledge while preparing children for future llearning. We encourage families to take a look and use it as a starting point for talking about learning together at home.
Autumn Termly Overview
Year 1 Long Term Plan
PE Information
A simple named bag with a draw string is a convenient way of carrying and storing PE clothing.
For safety reasons earrings must be removed or taped over during PE. Hair must be tied up for PE.
Home Learning
The children are expected to read every night to help their accuracy, fluency and comprehension. Each child will have an Oxford Owl account where they can access their Read Write Inc core story Book that they have been reading in class. Children are expected to read the book to a grown and answer questions via the Oxford Owl online quiz.
Children will also receive a NUMBOTS login to help practise maths facts and they will receive occasional homework throughout the year linked to key topics being taught in class.Â
Reading
To help your child become a confident and successful reader, they will bring home three different types of reading material.
1. Core Story Book (Oxford Owl eBook)After your child has finished reading a book in school, the same book will be assigned through our online Oxford Owl eBook platform. A new eBook will usually be issued every 3-4 days.
This book has already been taught in school, so your child should be able to read it fluently and with growing confidence. Re-reading familiar books helps children build fluency, expression and comprehension.
How you can help:
- Listen to your child read the eBook aloud.
- Celebrate their success and growing confidence.
- Encourage them to complete the accompanying quiz.
- Record each read in their reading diary and add a brief comment.
Please note that some children may need support reading the quiz questions.
2. Book Bag Book
Your child will bring home a Book Bag Book each week. These books are collected on a Thursday and changed every Friday.
Book Bag Books build on the phonics knowledge and reading skills your child has been learning in school. Guidance can be found inside the cover and should be read before sharing the book with your child.
How you can help:
- Rehearse any sounds or words before reading.
- Listen to your child read the book at least twice during the week.
- Encourage reading with increasing fluency and expression.
- Record both reads in the reading diary.
For example:
1st Read (01/10/26) – Read all the tricky words correctly.
2nd Read (03/10/26) – Read with excellent expression and a storyteller's voice.
You should notice an improvement in confidence and fluency with each read.
3. Reading for Pleasure Book
Children will also choose a book to read for enjoyment from our class or school library.
This book is selected by your child based on their interests and may be more challenging than their independent reading level.
The aim of this book is to:
- Foster a love of reading.
- Encourage discussion about books.
- Develop vocabulary and understanding of different texts.
How you can help:
- Share the book together.
- Talk about the pictures, characters and events.
- Enjoy reading to your child if they are unable to read all of the text independently.
Children can exchange this book once they have enjoyed sharing it at home.
Reading Diaries
Please ensure that your child brings their reading diary and reading books to school every day.
Regular reading at home is one of the most effective ways to support your child's progress, confidence and enjoyment of learning. Thank you for your continued support.
Maths
Maths is all around us! Short, fun activities at home can make a big difference to your child's confidence and understanding.
Count everywhere
- Count forwards and backwards to 20 and beyond.
- Count objects when setting the table, tidying toys or climbing stairs.
- Practise counting in 2s, 5s and 10s.
Talk about numbers
- Spot numbers on doors, buses and signs.
- Compare numbers: Which is bigger? Which is smaller?
- Find one more and one less than a given number.
Use maths in everyday life
- Count money when shopping.
- Help measure ingredients when cooking.
- Talk about the time during daily routines.
- Compare the length, height and weight of different objects.
Play games
- Board games involving counting.
- Number matching and card games.
- Dice games that involve adding or comparing numbers.
Ask questions Try asking:
- How many are there?
- How did you work that out?
- What comes next?
- Can you find a different way?
Keep it positive
- Praise effort and perseverance.
- Celebrate small successes.
- Encourage children to have a go, even if they make mistakes.
The most important thing is to make maths enjoyable. Just a few minutes each day can help children develop confidence and fluency with
Celebrating Success
At Elburton, we believe that recognising effort, achievement and positive behaviour helps children grow in confidence and develop a love of learning.
Throughout the week, children are celebrated through:
- Positive praise for demonstrating our school values and learning behaviours.
- Class Dojo points awarded for effort, resilience, kindness, independence and following the Elburton Charter.
- Sharing outstanding work and achievements with classmates and other members of staff.
- Opportunities to celebrate successes in class and during whole-school assemblies.
Each Friday, we celebrate a Star of the Week. This award recognises a child who has shown something special during the week, whether that is:
- A positive attitude towards learning
- Excellent behaviour and role-modelling
- Outstanding effort or perseverance
- Kindness and respect towards others
- Significant progress or achievement
- Living out our Elburton Charter values
We love celebrating the successes of every child and helping them to feel proud of their achievements, both in and out of school.
E-Safety
Useful Learning Links
Closing Message
We feel privileged to be part of your child's Year 1 journey and are looking forward to a year filled with learning, laughter and wonderful memories. Year 1 is an exciting stage of development, and we are committed to ensuring that every child feels happy, supported and inspired to achieve their very best.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. By working together, we can help each child grow in confidence, develop a love of learning and reach their full potential.
If you ever have any questions or would like to discuss anything, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
We look forward to sharing a fantastic year with you and your children at Elburton Primary School.
The Year 1 Team 🌟