Year 1

Welcome to Year 1!

Hello and welcome to Year 1 where your child’s learning is taught following the National Curriculum.

We are thrilled to begin this exciting new chapter with your child. Year 1 is a year of growing independence, curiosity, confidence and a love of learning. As the children make the exciting transition from Reception to Year 1, we will continue to build on their skills and experiences through a balance of purposeful learning, play and exploration. Miss Wilcox and Miss Sampson, along with our dedicated school support staff, will be guiding and supporting your child every step of the way.

Within the classroom, both students and parents are cared about and working together will allow us to achieve the very best for your child. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Daily essentials your child needs to bring to school include:

- A coat

- A water bottle

- A snack and packed lunch (unless they are having a school dinner or ordering milk or toast)

Communication between school and home

Seesaw will continue to be our main method of communication this academic year. Please try where possible to send any message through the inbox tool on the Parent Seesaw App, and we will always get an answer for you as promptly as possible.

Learning Behaviours

We are developing children's ability to discuss their learning and helping them develop a language to talk about their own learning. The whole school follows three rules: be kind, be ready and be safe. We also have three school values: kindness, tenacity and integrity. All children are encouraged to follow these rules.

Daresbury’s Learning Behaviours are: Collaborating, Active Listening, Showing Curiosity, Being Independent and Reflecting.

House Points

Children can gain house points for a variety of things from following our learning behaviours to completing their homework. Their teacher and other members of staff can award house points throughout the school day or on Seesaw. If a child has been awarded a certificate in the assembly on a Friday, they will also receive house points:

Special Mention = 3 pom poms

Wall of Success = 1 pom pom

Mathematician of the week = 1 pom pom

Reader of the week = 1 pom pom

In addition to recognising achievements and positively reinforcing our school rules, we have systems in place for when our school rules, behaviour expectations and learning behaviours are not followed.

Step 1: a reminder of the rule that they have broken.

Step 2: children will receive a verbal warning (this will be done 1:1 and not in front of others).

Step 3: a 2-minute reflection time with an adult.

Step 4: a 15-minute reflection with an adult. Parents will be informed, and the incident will be logged onto the school monitoring system.

Step 5: Follow up- repair and restore. Class teacher to discuss the behaviour with child/children and consider collaboratively how to best repair the problem/behaviour. For example, this could be completing work missed in their own time like at break times.

Homework

Children are expected to read a minimum of 3 times a week.

In Year 1, we use Numbots to help children develop fluency, speed and confidence with subitising, number bonds, adding and subtracting strategies. Children are encouraged to practise regularly at home.

Reading

In Year 1, reading diaries will be sent home and come back to school on a day-to-day basis. You are expected to provide comments on the Reading Record at least three times a week. Your child will be given a Read Write Inc every week; focus sounds and the book will also be shared via SEESAW for you to support your child. 

Reading Progress

Each half-term, you will receive reading comments based on your child’s progress and new targets via Seesaw, or our mid-term or end of year school report.

P.E

Year 1 children will have two sessions of PE a week. During Autumn term 1, Year 1 will have PE on:

- Wednesday (with Coach Craig)

- Thursday (with Coach Craig)

Your child needs to come to school ready for PE on both days. We politely ask that your child wear a school PE kit with a logo or a plain white t-shirt with plain black shorts/bottoms and white or black trainers.

Forest School

Forest School will take place every Tuesday and will be taught by Mrs Moore. On Forest School days, children should come into school wearing their PE kit and be ready for lots of outdoor learning and exploration. Please ensure your child brings:

• A puddlesuit or waterproof trousers
• A coat
• Wellies

Children’s wellies and waterproof clothing is to be kept in school throughout the week. Please make sure that all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name.

Seesaw

As you all know, Seesaw is very much part of Daresbury life and is an interactive learning journal where Miss Wilcox and your child will share their work. It will continue to be used in all subjects from problem-solving in Maths to Dance during 2024/5. As always, you will be able to ‘like’ and comment on your child’s work, which will add to the great sense of achievement that the children feel when using the app.

Any questions about Seesaw and how it works please feel free to ask. This is the best way to communicate with school staff. Please be aware that messages may not be seen during the school day whilst staff are teaching. Please ring the school if you have an urgent message.

Dinners

Each day, children have the choice of ordering a hot school meal or bringing in a packed lunch from home. Each new term, the school dinner menu is sent to all parents via Seesaw messages. Please ensure you discuss the meal choices available with your child. Unfortunately, the kitchen is unable to provide any alternatives (dietary requirements will be catered for).

Birthdays and Treats

We love celebrating birthdays! Children are welcome to come to school in their own clothes on their birthday to help make their day feel extra special. If their birthday falls at the weekend, please choose a school day close to their birthday instead.

However, we kindly ask that no sweets or cakes are brought into school. We are a Healthy School and aim to reduce pressure on parents to provide treats for others. Thank you for understanding and supporting this.

We are looking forward to a fantastic year ahead in Year 1, filled with learning, growth, and fun. Thank you for your continued support – we can't wait to see your child shine!

Miss Wilcox, Miss Sampson and the Team at Daresbury Primary School.

How to help your child

Here are some websites that you may find useful to support your child's learning.

Maths http://www.ictgames.com: Fun and exciting maths and literacy games available. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/site/numeracy.shtml A BBC website with all maths topics covered.

http://www.mad4maths.com/ Fun maths games for children and advice section for parents http://www.mathszone.co.uk/ Lots and lots of games and tools to help your child with maths at home. https://www.mathsframe.co.uk Maths games and

English PhonicsPlay Phonics games where your child can practise reading and blending real and nonsense words. https://www.pobble365.co.uk a picture a day that your child can talk or write about to let their imaginations soar. https://www.spellingframe.co.uk Spelling rules practice for each year group.

Please always ask in school if you want anything to support your child at home.