Welcome to Spring Term in Year 1

A warm welcome back from all of the Year 1 staff. We hope you have all had a lovely Christmas break and are looking forward to a new term at Elworth.

Staffing 

Squirrels - Mrs Harper with support from Mrs Noden, Mrs Holloway and Miss Hilditch. There is also a student teacher called Mrs Lear. 

Hedgehogs - Mrs Storer with support from Miss Gunner and Miss Croft. 

Mrs Rookes is the KS1 Phase Leader. 

Start and End of the School Day

Our day starts at 8:40 am. The children in Squirrels and Hedgehogs access their classroom via the Middlewich Road gate.

Topic

This term, our Year 1 adventurers are embarking on an incredible journey from the frozen reaches of the Antarctic to the vastness of outer space. We will be stepping back in time to follow Robert Falcon Scott’s courageous expedition to the South Pole, comparing his historic journey with the modern-day space missions of astronaut Tim Peake. To support our English learning, we are diving into the world of Hermelin by Mini Grey. As we follow this brave and adventurous detective mouse through the mysteries of Offley Street, the children will be developing their descriptive writing and problem-solving skills. It promises to be a term filled with discovery, as we learn what it truly takes to be a world-class explorer!

General Information for Year 1

Homework

Homework will be set weekly. It will be set on a Monday to be completed by the following Monday. This homework can be found by logging onto Spelling Shed and Maths Shed. Please let your class teacher know if you are having problems accessing either site. Log ins will follow shortly.  There is additional Oxford Owl reading material on the portal if you would like to do additional reading. 

Reading

The children will be continuing the Read Write Inc reading scheme.

Your child will read daily in school, as part of a small group. Some colours follow a 3 day reading system in school (Red, Green, Purple, Pink and Orange) and others follow a 5 day plan (Yellow, Blue, Grey).  Alongside this, they will be given a high quality story book to share with you.  This needs to be returned and will be changed on the same day as their RWI book.

We would love you to be reading with your child everyday at home, and ensuring you are signing their Reading Record once you have read with them. This is essential for their successful reading journey and to develop a love of reading.

You will also continue to have access to Oxford Owl and their library of resources and ebooks which match with the story they are reading in school. 

Oxford Owl Student Login

Please ensure your child has both their reading book and reading diary in school everyday and secured inside their plastic wallet.

Phonic screening check 2026

All children in Year 1 will be completing their phonic screening check on the week beginning Monday 10th June 2026. It is important that your child/children are in school that week. Please continue to watch the RWI phonic videos from the link sent via the school email to support your child. 

Further support can be found on our Elworth Phonic Page which contains vidoes for chilren to watch to support their development of phonics. 

https://sites.google.com/elworthce.cheshire.sch.uk/phonics/home

PE

We will continue to have one P.E session a week on a Tuesday  afternoon.

Children are required to come to school wearing their full PE Kit. With the guidance in place advising against changing clothes in school, children will be required to come to school wearing their full PE Kit on their allocated day (and also on Fitness Friday).

We are suggesting that the Elworth PE t -shirt and shorts/skort be worn underneath the Elworth jogging bottoms and zip up top on colder days.  A waterproof jacket is a necessity, in case of poor weather. Children will also need to come in wearing a sensible pair of sports trainers.

Swimming

Swimming timetable to follow. 

Snacks

Free fruit will be provided for your child for their morning snack.

Please ensure your child has a water bottle every day with their name on it.