Kentisbeare C of E Primary School

We follow the Little Wandle phonics scheme. 

In Year One, phonics is a core part of our curriculum, laying the foundation for strong reading and writing skills. Children learn the relationship between sounds and letters, enabling them to decode words with confidence. Our phonics program builds upon previous learning, reinforcing letter-sound associations and introducing more complex patterns as the year progresses.

By the end of year one children will read with confidence and fluency, using a range of phonics strategies to support them. 

To support your child at home, they will bring home two different types of books. This is a key part of the Little Wandle method to ensure children feel successful. 

A book to learn - this is matched to your child's phonics phase and they should be able to read this books with 95% fluency and with greater independence. If it seems "easy," that’s perfect—it means they are building speed and confidence.

A book for pleasure - to build on a range of reading skills such as language, vocabulary, imagination and a real love of books! This book is for you to read to your child and to enjoy together.  Talk about the pictures, use funny voices, and enjoy the story without expecting them to read it.

Please see our phonics page for more information surrounding early reading and phonics in year one. 

Please click the link to find out about how you can help at home. 

https://www.littlewandle.org.uk/resources/for-parents/#tabnametabSupportForPhonics

Little-Wandle-Everybody-read-parents-presentation-April-2022- (1).pptx

Everybody-read-leaflet-for-parents.pdf (littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk

LS_Parent-handout_Year-1_Sep-23.pdf

In Year One, our maths curriculum focuses on building strong foundations in number, developing children’s confidence and curiosity as young mathematicians. Pupils explore key concepts such as counting, place value, addition and subtraction through practical activities, games, and real-life problem-solving. They use a range of concrete resources—like counters, number lines and tens frames—to deepen understanding before moving on to more abstract methods. We encourage children to explain their thinking, try different strategies, and enjoy the challenge of mathematical discovery. By the end of Year One, our aim is for every child to feel confident, supported, and excited about learning maths.

In Year 1, our science curriculum sparks curiosity and builds a strong foundation for understanding the world around us. Children learn about animals, including humans, by exploring basic body parts, the five senses, and identify and name a variety of common animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and humans.They investigate the changing seasons, observing weather patterns and how these affect daily life. Pupils also explore a range of materials, discovering their properties and learning how to sort and use them for different purposes. Through hands-on activities, they study plants, identifying different plants, labelling parts of the plant and understanding what plants need to grow and thrive. These engaging topics encourage children to ask questions, make observations, and develop a lifelong love of science.