Welcome to Key Stage 1 (Year 1 & 2), Owls and Doves

Mrs O’Donnell and Mrs Rajjayabun teach the Owls, who are our current Year One pupils. Owls are supported by Mrs Barker. Mrs O’Donnell teaches on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Mrs Rajjayabun teaches on a Thursday and Friday.

Miss Lewis teaches the Doves, who are our current Year Two pupils. Doves are supported by Mrs Henderson-McCoy.

In the Owls class, the Year One children build on what they learnt in their Reception year and begin their journey on the National Curriculum. New skills are taught to support in our learning of knowledge in the different curriculum subjects. In Doves, the Year Two children have lots of exciting new challenges and experiences that prepare them for the move to Key-Stage Two while embedding their learning of skills in the different curriculum areas.

Children continue on their Phonics learning journey in Key Stage One. Year One children are busy working on Phase 5 and Year Two children embed Phase 5 and begin Phase 6. We also have Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling sessions to help children become better writers in both classes.

Reading is incredibly important and children read daily sentences and texts in groups during the school day and books are sent home to practise new words and develop knowledge of grammar and punctuation when reading aloud.

Children in both Owls and Doves class learn in a nurturing and stimulating environment. There is a large outdoor space which is used on a daily basis and inside there are key teaching areas and lots of space for games and role play. Children can access construction and an art and crafts area for developing their creative sides.

The four core values continued to be taught through PSHE and RE and we aim to remember these in all that we do. Our core values are Wisdom, Community, Hope and Dignity. We have strong links to the local Church – St John the Baptist and we enjoy visiting for our end of term assemblies and celebrations throughout the year.

Children have weekly PE sessions, one inside gym based lesson and one outside games based session. There is a Games specialist who teaches Games to Key-Stage One on a Thursday morning and a gymnastic specialist who teaches Gym on a Wednesday. Children begin to have opportunities to compete in local school tournaments over the year.

iPads and laptops are available to children to access to support their learning in all subjects. E-safety is crucial and revised weekly and computing skills are taught in a discreet lessons.
Children enjoy learning new songs and ways to play instruments in Key-Stage One. Music is encouraged and children enjoy listening daily to songs and rhymes and new skills are taught weekly.

All children go across to Forest School for one session each week to enjoy developing skills and independence through sessions led by Miss Welsh. Tools and equipment are safely used to build dens and construct. Children become responsible for growing plants and vegetables. Camp fires are often held and hot chocolate can be enjoyed around them. Children also cook a wide range of foods over the camp fires.

The Owls and Doves children are always incredibly busy and they have so much fun!