Heyes Lane Primary School

Year One Transition Meeting

In Early Years, the Foundation Stage provides a solid foundation on which all future learning builds. The children are taught the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and are assessed against the Early Learning Goals at the end of the year.

As the children move into Year One they will be taught the National Curriculum 2014. Although the emphasis is slightly different, at our school we value the principles of the EYFS and believe that much of the good practise still applies. We ensure that this important transition is as successful as possible for all children at our school.

‘The transition between the EYFS and Year One should be seamless. EYFS practitioners and Year 1 teachers should work together to ensure that children’s learning experiences in the EYFS are valuable in themselves, and prepare the ground for their move into Year One. It is important that Year One builds on the successful principles and approach encapsulated in the EYFS.’ EYFS PROFILE HANDBOOK

How do we achieve this at Heyes Lane?

We meet to complete some joint assessments of the children’s learning.Year One Teachers observe the children in their current environment.We discuss each child’s attainment and personality in detail.We set up the Year One classrooms to mirror the children’s Reception experiences in September.The children visit their new classrooms for a story with their current Reception teacher.

Transition from the EYFS into Yr1

In September the classrooms will be set up in the same way as the current reception classrooms. The children will be able to explore the areas of continuous provision and

choose how to learn about the new topics. This is invaluable in aiding a smooth transition for children who

become very excited about the provision!

The Enabling Classroom Environment

The Maths Area The workshop area

As the year progresses, when the children are assessed as ready, we introduce more

teacher directed activities. These are based on thorough assessments and

enable the children to meet the challenging targets that have been set.

The provision areas such as the role play or construction still play a part but the

children complete set challenges.

We continue to value the outdoors as an exciting, motivating learning environment in Year One and we are very fortunate to

have an area that can be continually used to enhance the learning experience.

The children will get the chance to learn outside in the Autumn Term at some time every week, weather permitting, and we

would ask that they always have a water proof coat in school. We will use the wellies that they currently have in Reception.

The Outdoor Environment

Each Year One class is supported by a teaching assistant every morning. This teaching assistant

then supports the children over lunchtime.

There is one teaching assistant who works within the department in the afternoon, withdrawing children

from classes in small groups. This is to reinforce learning of the basic skills. She is called Miss

Kavanagh.

Use of Adults

Children will continue to be taught in phonic groups. As in Reception these groups are fluid and children will be assessed regularly and moved

accordingly if there is the need.

Reading books are changed twice a week to begin with, this will be on a Monday and a Thursday. Please ensure your child has

their reading record in their book bags daily.

Children are encouraged to be more independent when changing reading books in Year One and can choose their own within the correct colour band. This is to encourage reading for enjoyment. The children may choose to read the same book again and this is valued in school to

develop fluency and understanding.

Literacy

The main means of teaching reading in Year One is through guided reading, where the children are taught a new skill or are reminded of one that is a target. They practise it when reading a book in a group and then discuss the story in detail. The teacher moves

around the group, hearing individuals and guiding as appropriate.

Targeted children are also heard to read individually by the teacher or teaching assistant.

Some children will also be withdrawn in the afternoon to practise Reading and Writing or Maths as part of a small group if this is deemed necessary. You will be informed if your child has been

selected for these groups.

We continue with phonics homework in Year One and when the children are ready we introduce a weekly spelling test. There will be

more information about this nearer the time.

All children in Year One nationally are required to sit a phonics screening test in the Summer Term of Year One.

This is a simple assessment of the children’s knowledge of phonics and is often enjoyed by the children.

The percentage of children who pass the assessment of phonics at our school is traditionally very high.

We will hold a meeting for parents prior to this assessment to inform you about the procedures.

Phonics Screening Test

Numeracy

The children will be taught Numeracy skills daily with a strong emphasis on Number. The main

visual resource that we use to support the early skills is Numicon, moving onto Dienes when

introducing concepts with bigger numbers. They will work on differentiated tasks to practise the skills and apply them in continuous provision

areas.

We will introduce Maths homework in the Autumn Term. This will be game based, the children are encouraged to play the games in any order, as

many times as they choose, to practise the basic skills that have been introduced at school.

The Orbit application covers the Foundation Stage Curriculum only. We will continue to use it as a means of communication by sharing album shots from school during the Autumn Term. If your child is still completing the Foundation Stage Curriculum we will continue to gather evidence using the APP. We value input from home shared through the postcards and will continue to celebrate this in class.

Orbit Assessment

We work hard to plan an exciting, engaging curriculum in Year One based on the children’s interests. This year the children have enjoyed trips and visitors coming into school to contribute to the learning journey.

Enhancements to the Curriculum

The clubs are run by teachers, teaching assistants and outside agencies. These are very popular with the children and this year we have offered a full range of activities. Examples of these are: Cheerleading Football Hockey Cricket

Extra Curricular Clubs

Please label all items of clothing. Please ensure that your child has a named water bottle in

school which we will send home on Friday for a thorough clean.

There is an open door policy at school and teachers are more than happy to discuss any issues that may arise after 3.25pm.

We look forward to working with you in September!

Any questions…

Finally…