Class 1
Welcome to Year One
2026-2027 Academic Year
Important Notice: Y1 will take their statutory Phonics Screening Check during the week commencing 14th June 2027. Please do not book any holidays during this time. Thank you.
Reception to Year 1 Transition
Moving from Reception into Year 1 is an exciting milestone. While children begin Key Stage 1 and experience a gradual increase in structure and independence, we know that every child develops at their own pace.
At our school, we recognise that this transition can feel significant for both children and families. We carefully plan opportunities for children to become familiar with their new classroom, teacher and routines before the end of the summer term. Our Year 1 environment builds on the strong foundations of Reception, ensuring that play, exploration and practical learning continue to be an important part of the curriculum alongside more structured teaching.
Staff take time to get to know every child, using information from Reception to ensure learning starts from where they are. We place great importance on children's wellbeing, confidence and sense of belonging, helping them feel secure as they embrace new challenges and develop greater independence.
By working closely with families throughout the transition, we aim to make the move into Year 1 a positive, enjoyable and successful experience for every child.
If you have any questions or issues you would like to discuss, please feel free to talk to a member of the team at the beginning or end of the day. You may also contact us via email.
Email - jhadfield@ashgrove.cheshire.sch.uk
Important Information
PE
Our regular PE sessions will take place every Thursday. However, as timetables can sometimes change, we kindly ask that your child’s PE kit is kept in school every day to ensure they are always prepared to take part.
Uniform
Please ensure that your child wears the correct uniform to school. Please make sure that all items of school uniform and PE kit are clearly labelled with your child’s name. This helps us return any misplaced items quickly and keeps our lost property to a minimum.
Snack and Lunch
We provide children with a healthy snack each day, such as fresh fruit and toast. The cost is £1 per week, which helps us cover the ingredients. There is no need for children to bring their own snacks from home.
Children in Key Stage One are entitled to a free school lunch each day. Alternatively, you can send a packed lunch if you wish. Please note that we are a nut-free school due to allergies.
Homework
Children in Year 1 will have one home learning task a week:
Collins Hub eBooks: Accessible online, children can read books that are closely linked to their phonetic ability. Please try and read daily with your child, even if it is a different book.
At Ash Grove Academy, we believe that regular reading at home is key to developing confident, enthusiastic readers.
Here are just a few things you can do at home to support your child in becoming a fantastic reader.
Daily Reading at Home
We encourage you to read your child’s e-book with them every day. Daily reading is one of the most powerful ways you can support your child’s growth and development. Not only does it strengthen early literacy skills such as vocabulary, comprehension, and listening, but it also sparks curiosity, imagination, and creativity.
Reading together provides a special opportunity for connection. It allows children to hear the rhythm of language, explore new ideas, and see themselves in stories. By making reading part of your daily routine, you are helping your child build focus and confidence, while also creating meaningful moments.
Collins Hub - Little Wandle Books at Home
In school, we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised scheme, which is a carefully structured programme that introduces new sounds (phonemes) and words in a clear, step-by-step way. Each book your child brings home is closely matched to the sounds they have been learning in class, so they can practise blending those sounds together to read words successfully. This means that the books are fully phonetically decodable—your child won’t be asked to read words that contain sounds they haven’t yet been taught.
Alongside their physical reading practice, you also have access to the Collins Hub site, which contains the full range of Little Wandle books in digital form. This is a fantastic resource, as it gives your child the chance to revisit the exact same books they are reading in school. Practising both in class and at home helps to reinforce their learning, build fluency, and develop a sense of achievement.
If you do not have a login for the Collins Hub, please contact the class teacher.
Book Bear
Every child will also have the chance to take home our special ‘Book Bear’ for a week. Book Bear is no ordinary bear—he loves stories just as much as we do! He is perfect for snuggling up with and sharing a bedtime story together, making reading at home feel extra special.
When it’s your child’s turn, they can take Book Bear on little reading adventures. They might enjoy reading to him at bedtime, showing him their favourite book, or even taking him along to a cosy reading spot at home. Book Bear is a wonderful companion who helps remind children that reading is not only about learning but also about joy, imagination, and togetherness.
This experience is also a chance for families to celebrate reading as a shared activity. Children often feel very proud to care for Book Bear and love telling their friends at school about the stories they enjoyed together. It creates a strong home–school link, showing children that reading is valued and enjoyed in both places.
