Year 1
Curriculum Summary for Parents
Term 1 • 2025/26
This information represents a summary of plans for the term. Please understand that all plans are flexible; there is always the possibility that fewer (or more) topics will be covered than those stated.
Subject Topics
English
Maths
Science
French
Kiswahili
Spanish (SFC)
Humanities
Religious Studies
Art
Design Technology
Computing
We will be beginning to learn the initial 44 sounds that help us to read and spell. We will do this through daily phonics lessons and shared guided reading lessons. We will also be orally rehearsing our ideas for writing and using the sounds we have learnt to write these with increasing accuracy. We will also focus on using capital letters and full stops to punctuate sentences and be developing correct pencil grip and letter formation.
We are focusing on place value within 10, teaching children to sort, count, represent, and compare numbers to 10, as well as finding one more and one less. In lessons we start with physical objects, moving to pictures and numbers, to build understanding through counting on and back, using number lines, and understanding zero. We will also be learning to name basic 2D shapes and describe the number of sides each shape has.
In science lessons we will identify and describe the basic structural parts of flowering plants (roots, stem, leaves, flowers) and identify and classify living things as plants or animals. We will use senses to carefully observe the natural and human-made world. As scientists, we will perform simple tests to answer simple scientific questions.
As we begin to learn French, we will learn to greet others and introduce ourselves. We will also be learning to say basic colours, number 0-10 and understand basic classroom instructions. We will also learn which countries are the French-speaking countries.
Our lessons will focus on learning to name our family members as well as naming objects in our house. We will learn to answer simple questions about our families and our homes.
As we begin to learn Spanish, we will learn to greet others and introduce ourselves. We will also be learning to say basic colours, number 0-10 and understand basic classroom instructions. We will also learn which countries are the Spanish-speaking countries.
Our themes this term are ‘growing things’ and ‘around the world’ which link together our learning across humanities subjects. Historical enquiries will lead us to find answers to simple questions about the past from sources of information such as from artefacts. We will also learn to identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in Kenya as we build upon our knowledge of the world around us.
We will be learning to respect others’ beliefs and religions by learning about different religions and how they came about. We will also learn to use religious words to describe a religion and religious storis, such as the Nativity story We learn about how the religious festivals of ‘Hannukah’ in Judaism and ‘Diwali’ in Hinduism are celebrated and the significance of these festivals for the people who celebrate them.
As we explore art through our thematic approach, we will introduce the concept of a sketchbook and encourage free drawing and mark making. We will use basic drawing tools, explore lines and shapes and develop hand control.
Our term has a cookery focus, building foundational knowledge in food and nutrition, including food safety, hygiene and understanding where ingredients come from. Students begin developing basic practical skills by preparing a simple dish.
We will be learning about a range of devices and tools that children encounter in everyday life and how to use these safely. E-safety will play a prominent part of children’s learning when using technology. Controlling a mouse and using a keyboard independently. Accessing software from the computer- Opening and closing software.
P.E.
Swimming
P.S.H.E.
Our music lessons this term start with a prior skills check and preparing to learn the recorder. We will learn to play the notes ‘c’ and ‘a’ on the recorder. Lessons will also focus on movement improvisation, vocal play & dexterity development
We will be learning the ways and benefits of warming up and cooling down and develop safe moving and spatial awareness through running, chasing and relay games. In athletics we will be sprinting, jumping for distance, jumping for height and throwing for distance. We will also introduce fundamental football skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting and ball control.
Children will focus on the fundamental stages of swimming by learning basic water skills through fun. They will also learn the rules of the swimming pool along with basic water safety and survival skills.
Children will learn about their place in the class and school community, focusing on belonging, responsibilities, and creating a positive learning environment. They will also explore diversity, develop their skills of empathy and understand that everyone is unique. We will learn how to show respect and kindness to others, including discussing ways in which we can deal with bullying.