Year One
Growing in confidence, ready for what’s next.
Year 1 is an important step after Reception—and at Bawnmore, we make sure it’s a smooth, positive, and exciting one. We understand that children are still young learners who need time to explore, play, and learn in different ways. That’s why we keep many elements of Reception in the early part of Year 1, before gently introducing more structure and whole-class learning as they’re ready.
Curriculum
Our Year 1 curriculum is ambitious, inclusive, and carefully sequenced to ensure a secure transition from Early Years to Key Stage 1. A golden thread runs through everything we do—strong relationships, emotional wellbeing, and a sense of belonging—because we know these are the foundations for success.
We aim for every child to:
- Continue to love learning and feel proud of their achievements
- Grow in confidence, independence, and resilience
- Develop knowledge and skills across the whole curriculum
- Make a smooth, secure transition from Early Years to Key Stage 1
- Be fully prepared—emotionally and academically—for Year 2 and beyond
Our curriculum reflects these aims through a rich mix of structured learning and child-led exploration.
Teaching
Teaching in Year 1 begins with a focus on settling in, routines, and relationships. In the autumn term, we maintain continuous provision alongside short, focused phonics, English, and maths sessions. As the year progresses, we gradually increase whole-class teaching and group work, introducing more opportunities for writing, reasoning, and problem-solving.
Children learn through:
- Daily phonics and core subject inputs
- Rainbow Challenges that promote independence
- Practical and playful learning experiences
- Inspiring themes and high-quality texts
- Outdoor learning and real-life experiences
Positive relationships and high-quality interactions remain central throughout the year, ensuring every child feels supported and challenged.
Achievement
By the end of Year 1, children are:
- More confident, capable, and ready to learn independently
- Using phonics to read and write with growing accuracy and fluency
- Secure in key number facts and able to solve simple problems
- Curious about the world and asking thoughtful questions
- Proud of what they know and can do
Most importantly, they leave Year 1 with a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.