Year 1 and 2
Welcome to Key Stage One
In Key Stage 1, we have three classes and our class teachers are:
Cherry Class – Year 1 – Mrs Harrison / Miss Storey
Pear Class – Year 1/2 – Miss Rackstraw
Peach Class – Year 2 – Mrs Close / Miss Taylor
Our teaching assistants are: Mrs Dodds, Mrs Bailey, Mrs Dickens, Mr Horrigan, and Mr Shaw.
Stepping Stones
Some children in our class also access 'Stepping Stones', which is an inclusive, self-funded SEND base supporting children with complex needs, who may find the mainstream classroom overwhelming. The base is a 12 place KS1 (Years 1 and 2) provision that helps with the transition from EYFS to KS1.
The children have access to the full curriculum and are taught it at their own pace; there is a focus on social and emotional skills. The philosophy is to enable the child to be emotionally literate, resilient, confident and we usually find that once a child has these elements in their tool kit, the academic side of the curriculum flourishes.
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence and lay strong foundations for future learning. Children are supported to develop essential skills in reading, writing and mathematics through engaging, practical and purposeful lessons.
Learning is carefully sequenced and enriched with hands-on experiences, talk, play and exploration, ensuring that all children feel motivated and supported.
We place a strong emphasis on personal development, helping pupils to grow socially and emotionally while developing resilience, independence and a love of learning.
Our inclusive approach ensures that every child is known, valued and encouraged to achieve their very best.
View Our Curriculum section for further details of our learning.
Class Information and Homework
PE Lessons
**Awaiting information for the spring term**
Please make sure your child has their P.E. kit in school and it is named.
Phonics
We teach phonics daily using Read, Write, Inc. Every day, the children will have a range of opportunities to practise the sounds in school. These will also be sent home.
Reading
At Pelton Community Primary School, we aim to foster a love of reading and to increase exposure to different types of texts. Through regular reading, we aim to practise the new sounds which are taught daily in phonics, and to apply this to their reading.
There are also 'real' books for children to explore in different areas of the classroom and we re-read our core collection over and over so that we can become confident story-tellers!
Homework
**Awaiting information for the spring term**
Please further details of our curriculum:
Summer 1 2025
This half term we are exploring our local area Chester-le-Street from a historical focus, using artefacts, databases and photographs and will make links to our local saint St Cuthbert.
In Science we are learning about plans, including identifying the flower, stem, leaves and roots of a plant, not to mention understanding the difference between wildflowers and garden plants. As part of our fieldwork and observations, we will identify deciduous and evergreen trees in our local woodland area.
In Art, we are focusing on the work of Paul Cezanne and create our own paintings. We are looking forward to mixing colours, experimenting with different brushes (thick and thin). Please come back to see our wonderful creations!
In Literacy our story is 'Leila and the Secret of Rain' which we cannot wait to begin reading!
Please see our topic web below (coming soon).
Spring 2 2025
This half term we are learning about what our school looked like in the past. We are very excited to find out how our school has changed over the years!
In Science, we are exploring the human senses through a series of investigations.
In Literacy our class texts are Jim and the Beanstalk and Flat Stanley.