Hello Year 1 of Primary School

A fun-filled year awaits in Year 1 with structured learning, co-curricular activities, and more independence. Onwards and upwards to Year 1. 

After a long summer holiday, we were all ready to get back into the school routine and more structured schedule. With a lack of routine, Lady Yeya displayed some bratty behaviour over the summer. We could not wait for school to start! 

From Reception to Year 1

Over 5 weeks into the new school year, Year 1 is starting off well. Yes there were some adjustments like getting to bed at 8pm sharp but overall, a good start. Lady Yeya often comments how lucky the Reception kids are to have longer playtime. In many ways, the transition  to Year 1 is more difficult than starting Reception altogether.

• There is less play-time in Year 1. Reception is all about play-based learning with freedom to choose their own activities depending on individual interest. In Year 1, learning is more structured with a formal timetable of subjects. Children need to stay focused for longer periods rather than mini-sessions on the carpet. 
• The learning is more formal with adult-led teaching based on the national curriculum. This includes daily Maths and English lessons. Then there are supplementary lessons such as spelling, handwriting, whole-class reading, comprehension, phonics, and reasoning throughout the week. Plus music, Spanish, computing, arts as well as PE and swimming. 
• Previously, Reception kids wore their PE kits on swim days. In Year 1, children need to change in and out of their uniform. There is a big emphasis on independence in Year 1. 
• From Year 1, there are optional co-curricular activities after school, ranging from French Club, football, choir, puzzles, fun run, and yoga, each running between 40-60 minutes. The school day runs from 8:20 am to 3:20pm, followed by co-curricular activities until 4/4:20pm which is a long day for a 5 year old. 
• Homework is now on a weekly basis including maths, spelling, and English. This is in addition to daily reading. The load increases over the school year. 

All of the aforementioned is a big adjustment for little ones! Long gone are “I played all day!” when asked “how was your day?” 

Supporting the Transition to Year 1

Lady Yeya’s school has been great in supporting the transition to the next year up. Upon returning from May half-term, the school had several ‘transitional’ activities to get the children familiar with Year 1, including: 

• Setting up the Reception classrooms to mimic the Year 1 classes with more formal seating and arrangements instead of play areas. 
• Mixing of the two Reception classes as the children will in different classes in Year 1.
• Splitting up children with strong friendship bonds for their own personal development. 
• Attending ‘Step-Up’ Day where the Reception children met their new Year 1 teachers in their new classrooms. 
• Hosting a parents ‘transitional’ seminar, reminding us to keep up with reading, phonetics and maths over summer. 

Year 1 Parents Evening

Our first parents’ evening with Lady Yeya Year 1 teacher was good, I thought. There weren’t specific issues with her learning, so I took it as she is making good progress with reading and maths. We spoke more generally about the Year 1 curriculum and expectations like ending the year at reading level turquoise, if not purple.

Furthermore, students are expected to count to 100, addition/subtraction to 20, simple multiplication and division, and simple fractions. In English and reading, students will continue consolidating phonics, writing in complete sentences using capital letters, finger space, and punctuation marks. 

We are happy to hear the good report card and Lady Yeya’s positive attitude towards school and her love for learning. Kenz and I couldn’t be more proud. Keep up the good work kiddo!