Hill 1

We’re delighted to share the wonderful learning experiences our Year 1 children will enjoy this year. The year ahead promises to be exciting and enriching, filled with creativity, curiosity, and plenty of new discoveries. Supporting the children in their learning journey are Mrs Beard (Class Teacher), along with Miss Fisher and Mrs. Hussain (Teaching Assistants).

Hill Heroes

In Hill 1, we are proud to be Hill Heroes! We always try our best, show kindness, and look after one another. Being a Hill Hero means showing curiosity in our learning, resilience when things are tricky, and respect for everyone around us. Together, we make our classroom a happy and inspiring place to learn and grow.

hill heores.png

Summer 1

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you are well. I am pleased to share an overview of our learning for Spring 2.

Year 1 will be diving into a delightfully messy mix of fiction and non‑fiction this term! In English, the children will explore The Disgusting Sandwich, using it as an exciting example of a “Finding Tale.” They will learn how authors create vivid settings and will have great fun describing the mucky, yucky places the sandwich travels through. Alongside this, the children will be busy writing their own instructional texts in our non‑fiction unit, “How to Make a Disgusting Sandwich.” Using our toolkit for clear and effective instructions, Year 1 will practise sequencing steps, using bossy verbs, and adding important details. It will be a wonderfully creative (and very disgusting!) start to the term—let’s hope none of those sandwiches make their way into lunchboxes!

In Maths, Year 1 will explore a wide range of number skills across several new chapters. The children will begin by building their understanding of multiplication, using repeated addition and equal groups to make sense of this new idea. They will then move on to division, learning how to share and group objects fairly. Year 1 will also be introduced to fractions, discovering halves and quarters through lots of practical, hands‑on activities. To consolidate their number knowledge, the children will revisit Number and Place Value within 10, strengthening their confidence in counting, ordering, and comparing numbers. It will be a busy and exciting chapter of mathematical learning, filled with problem‑solving, practical tasks, and growing confidence!

In History, Year 1 will learn about the Great Fire of London and explore what London was like a long time ago. The children will discover that several features of the city helped the fire spread so quickly. They will learn that many houses were built from wood and stood very close together, making it easy for flames to jump from one building to another. Streets will be shown to have been narrow, and people used open flames for cooking and lighting, which added to the danger. They will also find out that the long, hot summer left buildings extremely dry, creating perfect conditions for a fire to grow. Through stories, pictures, and discussions, the children will gain a strong understanding of how these features contributed to one of London’s most famous historical events.

In Design and Technology, Year 1 will explore how hand puppets are made. The children will investigate different types of puppets and look closely at the materials and joins used to create them. They will learn that hand puppets are usually made from fabric, which is cut into shapes and then joined together using stitching, glue, or fasteners. The children will then experiment with adding features such as eyes, mouths, buttons, and decorations to bring their puppet characters to life. Through this practical work, Year 1 will develop their cutting, shaping, and joining skills, and they will love seeing their puppet designs transform from ideas into real creations.

In Science, Year 1 will learn all about what plants need to grow and stay healthy. The children will discover that plants require water, light, and air to begin growing, and that they also need nutrients from the soil to become strong. Through hands‑on investigations, the children will explore how plants change when one of these essentials is missing, helping them understand why each requirement is important. They will enjoy observing seeds sprout, watching stems and leaves develop, and recording their findings over time. This practical learning will help Year 1 develop curiosity and a solid understanding of how living things grow.

In Computing, Year 1 will be learning all about digital writing as part of our ‘Creating Media’ unit. The children will explore how to use a keyboard to type letters, numbers, and simple sentences, learning how digital writing is similar to and different from writing on paper. They will practise using the space bar, delete key, and shift key, and will begin experimenting with changing font size, style, and colour to present their ideas clearly. The children will also learn how to save and reopen their work, helping them build confidence and independence when using technology. This unit will support both their writing and computing skills, and they will love seeing their words come to life on screen!

As we approach the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, it is essential that children are reading at home for at least 10 minutes every night. Regular reading practice is key to developing confidence, fluency, and accuracy in decoding words. The phonics screening check is designed to ensure children are developing these early reading skills and to identify any children who may need extra support .

Research and national guidance consistently highlight that strong reading skills are the foundation for all future learning, and children who read regularly are far more likely to reach their full academic potential .

For more information about the phonics screening check and how you can support your child at home, please visit:
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/year-1-phonics-screening-check/

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.

Kind regards,
Mrs. Beard and Mrs. Hussain

RAISE assembly dates-

21st April - Aqsa

28th April - Ayaan

5th May - Haider

12th May - Mohammad A

19th May - Omar

We’re looking forward to another fantastic half-term full of curiosity, creativity, and fun learning experiences. Thank you for your continued support — it really makes a difference! 

1817567037_c5b7080541e806aa5adb3e821afb3336_IMG_5361.jpg

Learning at home - How you can help

The Importance of Reading and Phonics

Reading at home is one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s learning. In the UK, only around 1 in 3 children (approximately 33%) say they enjoy reading in their free time, which shows how important it is for schools and families to work together to build positive reading habits.

Children who read regularly:

  • develop stronger reading and writing skills

  • build a wider vocabulary

  • gain confidence in speaking and understanding texts

  • perform better across all subjects, not just English

Just 5–10 minutes of reading each day can make a real difference. Reading does not need to be perfect — the most important thing is enjoyment and encouragement.

Phonics

Phonics is the foundation of early reading and writing. By practising letter sounds, blending, and recognising tricky words, children become more confident and fluent readers. Short, regular phonics practice at home helps reinforce what is taught in school.

Simple Ways to Support at Home

  • Read together every day, even for a short time

  • Talk about the book and ask questions about what has happened

  • Encourage your child to sound out words using phonics

  • Praise effort and progress to build confidence

Useful UK Phonics and Reading Websites

Suggested Reading Ideas

  • Traditional tales such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears

  • Simple non-fiction books about animals, space, or explorers

  • Picture books with repeated phrases

  • Early reading books matched to your child’s phonics level

Reading Records

Please remember to sign your child’s reading record and add a short comment. This helps us support your child’s progress and celebrate their achievements.