1 Curriculum Overview Autumn Term and Year Summary 2025/2026
Teaching and Curriculum at Hampton Court House
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Year 1 students will be producing an art calendar this term. Learning about the background of twelve different artists, pupils will study twelve individual pieces of work and make a creative response, one for each month of the year. This introduces a knowledge of art history to pupils in addition to developing their observation and drawing skills, ideas about colour theory, scissor skills and collage techniques.
Term
Autumn 1
Autumn 2
Spring 1
Spring 2
Summer 1
Summer 2
What are we studying?
Art Calendar: Making art inspired by artists Yayoi Kusama, L S Lowry, Henri Matisse, Barbara Hepworth, Eileen Agar
Art calendar: Making art inspired by artists Mary Fedden, David Hockney, Peter Blake, Howard Hodgkin, Andy Goldsworthy
Solar System: Using a variety of different techniques and materials, pupils will create patterned and textured papers with which to represent the planets on an outer space collage
Clay: Taking inspiration from the work of Clarice Cliff, pupils will learn to master the pinch pot technique to create colourfully decorated pots which will be fired in the kiln
Sewing project: Taking inspiration from textile designer Donna Wilson, pupils will design and stitch a hand puppet This project aims to develop fine motor skills and introduces pupils to the properties of fabric and how to master a basic running stitch
Drawing: Studying the work of children’s book illustrators, pupils will learn about storytelling through art Pupils will revisit the techniques they have learnt to date, to develop and improve drawing skills and make art in response to that of illustrators such as John Burningham, Brian Wildsmith, Satoshi Kitamura and John Klassen
Découverte du Monde (Discovering the World)
DDM, which stands for “Discover the World,” is a subject that combines History, Geography, and Science into one learning experience. Since we have two hours each week to cover the curriculum, we will alternate the focus between these subjects each term. This way, children get a rich and balanced understanding of how people, places, and the natural world connect and change over time.
In the autumn term, Year 1 pupils will explore key historical and scientific concepts to build their understanding of time, change, and the world around them.
Science
In Science throughout terms 1 and 2, children will study the differences between day and night, explore how daylight varies across the seasons, and identify how seasonal changes affect clothing and weather They will also learn about the human lifecycle, understanding that while people change as they grow older, certain features remain recognisable, helping them grasp how time affects the body and development
History
In History, pupils will learn to place themselves in time using words like "today," "yesterday," and "tomorrow," and identify the date and day They will explore family structures by naming relatives and making simple family trees, building timelines with key family events Year 1 will compare life “then” and “ now, ” learning about important figures like Dr Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks and their impact on society
Forest School
Forest school is the part of our prep curriculum built entirely around outdoor learning. At HCH we have the advantage of excellent grounds that we take full advantage of Throughout Year 1 and Year 2 children develop their confidence, self-esteem and risk-taking skills further through a variety of purposeful and adult led activities. Children will develop a wide range of skills that are cultivated in an outdoor environment, such as bush craft skills, curiosity and care of the natural environment.
Throughout the year there are curriculum links to a range of other discrete subjects where it will enhance the learning science, humanities and creative subjects Having a considerate and safe relationship with the outdoors is really important. As such, we will start the year covering being safe around a fire. We will then lead to exploring the natural environment focusing on the changes that they see during seasons.
Term
Autumn 1
Autumn 2
Spring 1
Spring 2
Summer 1
What are we studying?
Safety in the natural environment and taking safe and supervised risks
Observing the changes in weather and in the natural environment for Autumn and Winter
Celebrate Autumn Harvest and Christmas
Building dens and using tools safely
Celebrate Chinese New Year and harvest from community garden to cook a Chinese meal on the open fire
Celebrate National Birdwatching and make bird feeders for winter birds
Fairytales and stories that link to play in the natural environment
Celebrate National Wildlife Day
Observing new changes in the natural environment coming into Spring and planting
Celebrate World Bee Day
Summer 2 Minibeasts, map making and treasure seeking
In the Autumn term, Year 1 will begin their French learning journey by exploring the French phonics and some simple sounds as well as useful vocabulary. They will also be introduced to the French alphabet, enabling them to start spelling simple words In Term 1, they will discover the sounds [a], [e], and [i], and learn words related to themselves, politeness, classroom instructions, and stationery. In Term 2, the focus will shift to the sounds [o], [u], and [ê], alongside vocabulary covering numbers from 1 to 20, colours, weather, and elements of the daily routine. This foundational learning will help build their confidence and enjoyment in using French
Francophone Culture
c o n t e n t
A u t u m n
Y e a r s u m m a r y
Organised physical activity is vital to child development, both in terms of strength and growth cognitive, motivational and social skills The Year 1 children will focus on the core skills of two invasion games, football and netball In football, the children will be taught how to perform the core skills to play the game This will include passing, shooting, dribbling, agility and small sided conditioned games They will learn through partner work and work in group activities in their houses In netball, they will learn the fundamental skills of catching, throwing and movement. Students will be taught the basic positions, how to shoot and the different types of passes they can use in competitive game situations
Term
Autumn
Spring
Summer
What are we studying?
Football: Passing, shooting, dribbling, conditioned games.
Netball: Passing, shooting, attack vs defence, positions and conditioned games
Gymnastics: balances, body shapes, travel, jumps and rolls
Games: balance, coordination, agility, throwing and catching.
Cricket: throwing, catching, batting, bowling and fielding
Athletics: sack race, long jump, javelin throw, obstacle race, relay, 60m sprint.
Performing Arts
At Hampton Court House, we believe that the performing arts are integral to our school community. Therefore, students will actively participate in various performances throughout the year. These performances form the backbone of our curriculum. We are committed to offering inclusive opportunities that allow every student to showcase their talents.
In our lessons, to prepare for these performances students will focus on developing spatial awareness, musicality, vocal, physical, and character skills to enhance their performance abilities. They will learn stage craft and understand how to engage an audience.
Additionally, we place a strong emphasis on collaborative and creative skills, which are essential for every child's growth. Our classes incorporate engaging games and activities designed to foster teamwork, improve peer interaction, and develop the ability to follow directions. Students are encouraged to contribute creative suggestions through music, movement, and dialogue, ensuring a well-rounded arts education at Hampton Court House.
We begin the year by preparing for our Christmas show, Year 1 students will focus on developing their ballet skills, alongside incorporating singing into their performance.
In Year 1, Drama will be taught in French, enhancing language skills through theatrical expression. By the Easter term, students will have the opportunity to showcase their talents in a dedicated showcase event.
Throughout the year, there will also be numerous recitals and concerts, providing students with platforms to display their musical abilities and talent
PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education)
