Key Stage 1 (yr1/2): 2025 - 2026
The Key Stage 1 (yr1/2) Teaching Team are Mrs Amanda Pow (class teacher), Miss Helen Fisher (TA Mon -Wed), Mrs Jo Davis (TA Wed - Fri).
Other staff who will also teach KS1 are: Ms Suzy Brunwin (music), Miss Leigh Pavey, Mr Wright and our Sports Coaches, Mr Marc Troman and Mrs Katie Whenman.
contact us at: yr1@beacon-ce-primary.devon.sch.uk
The Learning environment:
Children will be taught through a mixture of whole class and group lessons. All children will still have access to enhanced provision activities through COOL (Choosing Our Own Learning) Rainbow Challenges. These challenges will enable children to apply new skills through an enquiry play-based approach whilst developing their learning further. It will be expected that each child completes these challenges during the week whether that be independently or with adult support. For each challenge completed children will earn a coloured lolly stick to put in their Rainbow pouch. The aim is to collect six colours; red (construction), orange (creative), yellow (English), green (enquiry/topic), blue (maths), purple (motor skills), silver (phonics) – by the end of the week. Year 2 children will still be able to access similar challenges but there will be a greater focus on more formal learning.
This term's topic is...... .
Bright Lights, Big City
This project teaches children about the physical and human characteristics of the United Kingdom, including a detailed exploration of the characteristics and features of the capital city, London.
This project will also help children to answer the question: Why was the Great Fire of London a significant event?
Children will learn what London was like in the 1600s when the Great Fire of London began. Children will then use a timeline to sequence the main events. They will also learn why the fire spread so quickly and look at historical sources to find out how Londoners fought the fire. In addition, children will learn about Samuel Pepys and listen to extracts from his diary. Finally, they will learn how the Great Fire changed London forever.
See below for additional support topic resources
Companion projects:
Autumn 1
- Science - Seasonal Change & weather
- DT - Vehichles: Wheels & Axles
- Music (Miss Brunwin) -
- RE - Who is Jewish and how do they live? (part 1)
- PSHE - Dreams & Goals (Jigsaw)
- Computing - Digital Painting
- PE - Ball skills (Mr Troman), Gymnastics (Mr Wright)
Autumn 2
- Science - Seasonal Change & weather
- History - The Great Fire of London
- Art - Rain & Sunrays: print making
- Music (Miss Brunwin) - rhythms
- RE - Who is Jewish and how do they live? (part 2)
- PSHE - Healthy Me (Jigsaw)
- Computing - programming: Moving a robot
- PE - Invasion games & athletics (Mr Troman)
Reading
Reading books will be changed each Friday when your child will bring home 2 reading books which match their reading ability. We suggest children are heard read at least 5 times a week - little and often is very effective. Please comment in the accompanying yellow reading record each time your child has read at home to an adult and send reading folders into school EVERY WEDNESDAY/ THURSDAY.
This year we will be continuing The Rocket Reading challenge. For every 10 reads completed at home, children move their rocket to the next planet and receive a certificate in achievement worship. We would like to emphasise the importance of reading a book more than once. The first read should be to decode the words using their phonic knowledge; the second should be to increase their reading fluency, and the third time to develop their understanding of the story further. When reading in school, we always love spending time talking about the story with the children, this discussion is vital for developing comprehension skills.
Click below to see access the FFT phonics Success For All parent portal where you can find many helpful videos including sound pronunciations and reading tips.
PE days
Spring Term 1
Monday - Gymnastics with Mr Wright
Friday - Ball skills with Mr Troman
Spring Term 2
Monday - Athletics with Mrs Pow
Tuesday - Invasion Games with Mr Troman
Wear PE uniform to school (yellow t-shirt, blue shorts, jogging bottoms/leggings when cold & suitable footwear) for all PE sessions.
Timetable
This is an example of our weekly timetable. Please note PE days do change every 1/2 term. There may be occasions when we need to amend, swap or add sessions to cater for visits or special events.
Outdoor Learning
During the first half of Spring term, outdoor learning will take place most TUESDAY afternoons, weather & adult help permitting. Sessions will take place at the Beach, Manor gardens and Holy Trinity Church grounds and will include team building games and activities linked to our classroom learning. Please wear suitable shoes, coat and trousers to school and bring wellies in a bag when wet. Also, please wear a hat and apply sun cream in the hot sunny weather. We do supply all-in-one wet weather suits when raining. Extra adult helpers are required for these sessions. Please let the us know if you can help OR ADD YOUR NAME TO THE SROTA ON THE CLASSROOM DOOR.
Home Learning
An information sheet outlining new activities will come each Friday in reading folders. Activities will generally consist of number facts, tricky word spellings and key phonic sounds (Pips/Tricky Teddies). There will be QR code links to access online maths activities.
Home Learning support resources
Phase 3 Phonic sounds
Phase 5 Phonic Sounds
Tricky Words (CEWs)
