Year 1 - Mandela 2026 - 2027

Mrs Vallance

Mrs Rose-Andrews

Welcome to Year 1! This year is a exciting transition as the children move from Reception into Key Stage 1, developing greater independence, discovering new ways to learn and building essential foundational skills. In Year 1, we nurture every child's natural curiosity and help them build the confidence to explore, try new things and flourish.

What to Expect in Year 1

Transitioning to KS1: We carefully balance structured classroom learning with playful, hands-on activities to ensure a smooth, comfortable transition from Early Years.
Reading & Phonics: Children deepen their phonics knowledge, turning emerging reading skills into steady fluency and a genuine love for stories.
Mathematical Foundations: Through practical equipment and visual aids, pupils explore numbers, shapes, counting and simple problem-solving with confidence.
Discovering New Horizons: Science, history, geography and art come to life through active exploration, encouraging children to ask questions and explore the world around them.

Phonics Screening Check

Towards the end of Year 1 (usually in June), children take part in the Phonics Screening Check. This is a short, light touch assessment designed simply to show how well your child is progressing with their decoding skills.

What happens: Your child will sit 1-on-1 with their teacher to read a list of 40 words out loud—20 real words and 20 pseudo-words (often called "alien words").
Why alien words?: Nonsense words ensure children use their pure decoding skills to read the sounds, rather than relying on memory.
How it feels: We keep the environment relaxed, friendly and low-pressure; to the children, it feels just like our regular 1-on-1 reading practice in the classroom.
How to support at home: The best preparation is reading together every day, practicing sound blends, and keeping reading fun and enjoyable.

Please don't worry about the check! It is simply a helpful tool to ensure we are giving your child the right level of support as they grow into a confident, independent reader.

Key Information

Class Teacher: Mrs Vallance (Monday - Tuesday) & Mrs Rose-Andrews (Wednesday - Friday)
PE Days:
Homework & Reading Books: