Year 1 prepares its pupils for the opportunities, experiences, and responsibilities of life in and around school. We aim to nurture inquisitive minds, encouraging children to ask questions, explore ideas, and develop a genuine love of learning. Our curriculum is enriched with high-quality texts that inspire curiosity and creativity, and we bring learning to life through exciting, hands-on experiences. Throughout the year, children will take part in a wide range of engaging projects. From caring for others—like persuading our deputy head that we’re ready to look after the school dog for a day—to writing a letter to Greenpeace during our Frozen Planet topic, there’s always something meaningful to explore.
We’ll travel through time to discover how transport has evolved, create and film our own blog, and take part in a cross-Trust bake-off while learning about plants and growing. During our Tudor topic, we’ll host a grand banquet, and we’ll become young journalists writing about oceans and seas for the school newsletter. Science is woven throughout our learning, with exciting experiments that link directly to our topics—like investigating how plants grow best, exploring melting and freezing in icy conditions, and testing materials to design the best Tudor shields or model wheels. With enriching trips to support our learning, Year 1 is a place where curiosity, confidence, and a love of discovery grow every day.
In this heart-warming project, our Year 1 pupils take on the responsibility of convincing school leadership that they are ready to care for the school dog for a whole day! Through a blend of science, literacy, and PSHE, children explore the needs of animals by caring for their own ‘jelly baby pet’ and creating informative leaflets. This hands-on experience nurtures empathy, responsibility, and communication skills, while reinforcing their understanding of living things and their habitats.
The project culminates in persuasive writing addressed to the Deputy and Headteacher, showcasing the children’s ability to articulate their learning with purpose. With links to geography through local mapping activities and design technology through building pet beds, this project is a shining example of how we embed real-world relevance and pupil voice into our curriculum.
Inspired by the wonders and fragility of Antarctica, our Year 1 children become environmental advocates in this powerful project. After discovering an unexpected polar visitor in their back garden, pupils write heartfelt letters to Greenpeace, drawing on their learning about climate change, habitats, and the impact of human activity on the planet. This project fosters global awareness and environmental stewardship from an early age.
Through rich texts like Dear Greenpeace and The Emperor’s Egg, children develop their descriptive writing and fact-finding skills. Science experiments with ice and materials, alongside historical exploration of Ernest Shackleton’s expedition, bring the Frozen Planet to life. This project empowers children to see themselves as change-makers in a world that needs their voice.
In this dynamic history-led project, children become time-travelling historians, exploring how transport has evolved from the invention of the wheel to space travel. With a focus on key figures like Carl Benz, the Wright Brothers, and Bessie Coleman, pupils gain a deep understanding of innovation and progress. Their findings are shared through a multimedia blog segment for the Headteacher’s weekly update—giving their learning a real audience and purpose.
The project integrates computing, literacy, and design technology as children create pop-up posters and digital content. They develop narrative writing with repeating patterns and explore materials through science experiments on wheels. This project not only builds historical knowledge but also fosters digital literacy and creativity in a meaningful context.
From seed to slice, this deliciously engaging project takes children on a journey through the life cycle of plants. Pupils grow their own carrots, learn about edible plant parts, and explore the conditions needed for healthy growth. The grand finale? A cross-Trust bake-off where children prepare and present their very own carrot cakes—combining science, nutrition, and teamwork.
This project is a celebration of sustainability and healthy living. Children write poetry and alternative endings to nature-themed stories, explore farming history, and compare seasonal weather patterns. With strong links to geography, PSHE, and RE, this project cultivates curiosity, care for the environment, and a love of learning that’s rooted in real-life experiences.
Step back in time as Year 1 hosts a Tudor-style banquet for Reception! This immersive project blends history, storytelling, and performance as children explore life in Tudor times. They write and perform their own adventure stories, inspired by rich texts and historical settings, bringing the past to life for their younger peers.
From cooking traditional Tudor dishes to building shields in science and design technology, this project is packed with hands-on learning. Children compare rich and poor lifestyles, explore castles across the UK, and reflect on moral codes from different faiths. It’s a feast of cross-curricular learning that develops empathy, creativity, and historical understanding.
In this final project of the year, children dive into the depths of the world’s oceans as intrepid sea explorers. They learn about the five oceans and the fascinating creatures that inhabit them, using their knowledge to write diary-style articles for the school newsletter. This project encourages curiosity, creativity, and a strong sense of global awareness as pupils reflect on the importance of protecting marine life.
Through engaging texts like Little Turtle and the Sea and Deep Sea Diary, children develop empathy and narrative voice. They explore waterproof materials in science, map the world’s oceans in geography, and use mixed media to create stunning underwater art. This project is a powerful blend of storytelling, scientific discovery, and expressive arts—leaving a lasting impression on pupils and readers alike.
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