Year 1
English Overviews
Reading Overview

Mathematics Overview & Support
We are proud to work with the Maths Hub for 2020 - 2022 to develop a matery approach when teaching mathematics.
Topics & Overviews
Childhood
Topic Description
In the Childhood project, your child will learn words and phrases related to the passage of time. They will explore artefacts to help them to understand childhood in the past and how childhood has changed over time. They will explore the six stages of life and explore timelines and family trees. Everyday life in the 1950s will be explored, including shopping, transport, family life and childhood. They will also learn about the significance of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 by studying photographs and online sources. The children will use maps to explore how places have changed over time and highlight any similarities or differences between childhood today and childhood in the 1950s. At the end of the project, they will create knowledge organisers for children who are about to study the topic of childhood.


Topic Overview
Knowledge Organiser
Bright Lights, Big City
Topic Description
In the Bright Lights, Big City project, your child will take part in a royal garden party and learn about Queen Elizabeth II. They will learn about the countries that make up the United Kingdom, including their location, capital cities and some of their physical and human features. They will have the opportunity to do map work, using compasses and positional and directional language to plan routes around London. They will research the cause and impact of the Great Fire of London and look at some famous London landmarks. They will learn about other capital cities around the world, including Kuala Lumpur, and compare how they are similar and different to London.


Topic Overview
Knowledge Organiser
Moon Zoom
Topic Description
The countdown has begun. Are you ready for blast off?
This half term, weβll travel through space to learn about the Solar System. Weβll investigate an alien crash site, write an incident report and try to find the aliens who have landed. Where could they be? Weβll make models of the Solar System and design spaceships, space buggies and space-related toys. Books and photographs will help us to learn about the first lunar landing and the astronauts who venture into space. Floor robots will be programmed to move around an alien landscape, and we will compose space sounds and dances. Weβll also explore satellite images, investigate rockets and use ICT to communicate our ideas and present our work.
At the end of our project, weβll share our learning in a variety of different ways. Weβll read our exciting science-fiction stories aloud, sing space-themed songs and create an exhibition of our space models. It will be out of this world!
Help your child prepare for their project
Thereβs so much to learn about space! Why not stay up late and look at the stars? A stargazing app could help you identify well-known constellations. You could also visit the local library and find some exciting space stories and information books to share. Alternatively, create extraordinary aliens using modelling clay or a drawing app.


Topic Overview
Knowledge Organiser
Splendid Skies
Topic Description
Letβs put on our coats, pop up our brollies and investigate the weather.
This half term, weβll take a walk outdoors to find out about different types of weather and to look for signs of the seasons. Weβll study TV weather reports, make weather symbols and learn about the life and work of Sir Francis Beaufort. Creative opportunities will allow us to explore weather in works of art, make season trees and create seasonal music! Weβll compose weather poems and write postcards describing the weather in different places. Our thinking skills will come in handy when we experiment with thermometers, investigate the effects of the Sun and compare weather around the world.
When we are weather experts, we will share our knowledge with you. We will record and broadcast weather reports, perform weather songs and music and describe our ideal holiday destinations.
Help your child prepare for their project
Weather is wonderful! Why not go for a walk and observe the weather? Take photographs and make notes of interesting observations. Alternatively, study a weather app together to see how symbols are used to show the weather over the coming days. You could also fly a kite in the park on different days to find out which conditions are best for kite flying!


Topic Overview
Knowledge Organiser
School Days
Topic Description
In the School Days project, your child will have the opportunity to take part in a traditional Victorian class and will learn about the differences between schooling in the Victorian era and schooling today. They will learn about objects found in a Victorian classroom and how they were used. They will research Samuel Wilderspin, an important figure in the development of schooling for young children in the Victorian era, whose ideals are reflected in schooling today. They will learn to describe the passage of time through study of past, present and future tense vocabulary.


Topic Overview
Knowledge Organiser
Paws, Claws and Whiskers
Topic Description
Big cats, small rats, tiny fleas and buzzing bees!
This half term, weβre going to discover that animals come in all shapes and sizes! Meeting an animal expert will allow us to ask and answer questions, share information about the pets we have at home and write animal information booklets. Weβll study animal artwork, draw detailed animal pictures to capture their special features and make collages, sculptures and prints. Famous animal fables will make us laugh, and we will have fun reading them aloud. Weβll spot similarities and differences between animals, look at different habitats around the world and investigate camouflage. Designing a zoo is even on the agenda!
At the end of our project, weβll share our work with you! An exhibition of our amazing artwork and performances of animal songs, with musical accompaniment, will allow you to take a walk on the wild side with us. We will also share our knowledge of animals and recite amusing rhymes that may include an animal noise or two!
Help your child prepare for their project
Animals are amazing! Why not take photos of a favourite pet together and describe their habits, likes and dislikes? You could also put bird food in the garden and visit a local park or nature reserve for a spot of bird watching. Make a note of their markings and features then use a simple spotting book or app to identify different species. Alternatively, visiting the local pet shop or petting zoo would allow you to observe a wide range of different animals.


Topic Overview
Knowledge Organiser
Religious Education - Love To Celebrate!
We look at six celebrations from across the major religions of the world
Sikhism
Naam Karan
Summer 1
The Naam Karan is a Sikh baby naming ceremony, and many Sikh parents bring their newborns to the Gurdwara (the Sikh temple) as soon as they are able to visit. The Granthi (reader of the scriptures) opens the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, at random, and the first letter of the first word on the left-hand page will be the first letter of the baby's name.
Family relationships are important in Sikhism. After the Naam Karan, many Sikh children will continue to learn about the Sikh faith at home and at the Gurdwara. Some may also attend Punjabi lessons so they can read the Guru Granth Sahib themselves.
Islaam
Milan un Nabi
Spring 2
The festival of Milad un Nabi commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. During the festival, Muslims hear stories of Muhammadβs life, visit the mosque, sing songs, share a meal with family and give to those in need.
However, Milad un Nabi is not celebrated by all Muslims. There is no evidence that Muhammad celebrated his birthday, so many Muslims donβt celebrate birthdays either.
Christianity
Harvest
Autumn 1
Christian harvest festivals are not fixed in the church calendar. However, many churches and schools in the UK celebrate harvest in September or October. At harvest time, Christians may sing special hymns, display a range of foods and flowers in church, collect food and household items for local good causes or give money to charities at home or overseas.
Different harvest festivals happen all over the world and most major religions give thanks for the harvest at some point in the year. The timing of harvest celebrations change depending on the different seasons and crops grown in each country.
Buddhism
Esala Perahera
Summer 2
Esala Perahera, also known as the Festival of the Tooth, is celebrated in Kandy, Sri Lanka, during July and August. The festival lasts for 10 days and begins when Jak tree cuttings are planted outside four temples called Devalas.
Torch lit processions (peraheras) of dancers, drummers, acrobats and highly decorated elephants fill the streets and visit the different temples during the festival. The most spectacular elephant carries a replica of the Buddha's tooth casket, which is kept in the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.
The festival ends with a water cutting ceremony called Diya Kepeema. Water in the Mahaweli River is 'cut through' with a sword to separate the pure and impure water and ensure there is no drought in Sri Lanka during the coming year. Some of the water is then collected and kept so that it can be used during the tree planting ceremony, which will open the following year's Esala Perahera festival.
Judaism
Purim
Spring 1
Purim is a lively festival that commemorates the strength of the Jewish people. Practising Jews wear costumes and visit the synagogue to listen to the story of Queen Esther who prevented Haman, her husband's servant, from killing the Jewish people. After attending the synagogue, families and friends gather together to eat, dance and exchange gifts.
Hinduism
Diwali
Autumn 2
Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated in October or November and is one of the most popular Hindu festivals. It lasts for five days and marks the Hindu New Year.
Many stories and traditions are celebrated at Diwali. The story of Rama and Sita shows the triumph of good over evil, a clean house, new clothes and presents mark the start of the New Year, and lights, rangoli patterns, footsteps and decorations welcome goddess Lakshmi into homes to grant good fortune. Diwali is an exciting festival full of fun, food, family time and light.
P.S.H.E - Personal Social Health Education (Including Relationships & Sex Education)
We follow six key themes in P.S.H.E. that are taught at the same time across the school, below is the specific theme covered.
Being Me In My World
Feeling special and safe
Being part of a class
Rights and responsibilities
Rewards and feeling proud
Consequences
Owning the Learning Charter
Celebrating Difference
Similarities and differences
Understanding bullying and
knowing how to deal with it
Making new friends
Celebrating the differences
in everyone
Dreams & Goals
Setting goals
Identifying successes and
achievements
Learning styles
Working well and celebrating
achievement with a partner
Tackling new challenges
Identifying and overcoming
obstacles
Feelings of success
Healthy Me
Keeping myself healthy
Healthier lifestyle choices
Keeping clean
Being safe
Medicine safety/safety with
household items
Road safety
Linking health and happiness
Relationships
Belonging to a family
Making friends/being a good friend
Physical contact preferences
People who help us
Qualities as a friend and person
Self-acknowledgement
Being a good friend to myself
Celebrating special relationships
Changing Me
Life cycles β animal and human
Changes in me
Changes since being a baby
Differences between female and
male bodies (correct terminology)
Linking growing and learning
Coping with change
Transition