Our class teachers are Mrs Stow in Cherry Tree Class and in Holly Tree Class we have Mrs Lock and Mrs Sinnet.

 We also have Mrs Taylor, Mrs Turner, Mrs Lobascio and Mr Bush who help support our learning. 

 

Autumn 2025

 

 

Welcome to Year 1 at Great Dunmow Primary School. We are really excited about settling into Year 1 and getting to know you all. We have lots of exciting topics which will take us on a fun learning journey throughout this term. Our main topic is ‘Toys’ where we will be learning about old and new toys, writing about our favourite toys and learning about the materials they are made from. This information leaflet has been put together to keep all parents and carers fully informed of what their children will experience this term.

 

English

Year 1 will start by learning about labels, lists and captions. We will then be learning the stories of ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’ and ‘The Three Little Pigs’, as well as writing our own versions of these well-known traditional tales.  Finally, we will follow and write our own simple instructions. In Phonics, we are following the ELS program.

 

 

Maths

 

Our daily Maths lessons will involve us learning to read and write our numbers to 10 to 20.  We will look at a variety of counting strategies and how to find one more or less than a given number.  We will learn how to add and subtract by using a variety of different apparatus, including tens frames, ‘part, part, whole’ models, a number line and Numicon.  We use a ‘Mastery’ approach, which means that we will embed skills and knowledge deeply and challenge children through questioning and reasoning rather than moving onto new concepts.

 

Foundation Subjects

 

• In Computing, children will learn the basics of logging in and using a mouse before working on programming ‘Beebots’ and exploring online safety. 
• In Art, we will explore different methods of printing
• In DT we will focus on working with textiles to create our own puppets. 
• Geography will focus on weather and in History we will be looking at how toys have changed from the past. We will be exploring similarities and differences between these toys, as well as investigating how teddy bears have changed over the last 100 years.
• In Spanish, children will focus on greetings, numbers and colours 
• In Music we will be developing rhythm, pulse and how to play the glockenspiel.
• In PE, we will be looking at invasion games, ball skills and yoga amongst other things. 
• In PSHE, we will focus on health and well-being, family and relationships
• In RE we will explore a philosophical approach to Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism as well looking at celebrations in Christianity.
• In Science, we will investigate materials and their properties and seasonal changes.

 

General Information

PE

 

 

PE will take place on Friday (Indoor) and Mondays (Outdoor).

 

For outdoor lessons, children will need their track suits and trainers, it can be cold!  Girls may also need spare socks for outdoor PE, if they are wearing tights.  The children will wear shorts, P.E. t-shirts and plimsolls for indoor PE lessons.

 

Please ensure that your child has their hair tied back and that no jewellery is worn on the day. Staff are not able to take earrings out or put tape on them, so your child will miss P.E. if they cannot remove them.

 

Ties/Buttons – Please help your child to practise putting on their tie and doing up their buttons at home.  This can be particularly challenging with top buttons so it would be great to help them become more independent.

 

Water bottles Please ensure your child has a named water bottle in school with them each day.

 

** PLEASE label all uniform and PE clothes **

 

 

Reading 

 

Reading Books will be changed on Mondays / Thursdays (reading for pleasure) if they have been read and Fridays (ELS eBooks), but please ensure they bring their book and diary every day. Please indicate in the Reading Diary when you have read with your child so that we can change it. 

 

We would like you to read the eBook three times each week.

 

 

 

Absences / home time collection / urgent messages

 

These should be emailed directly to the School Office during the school day as we may not see a message on classdojo whilst teaching.

 

 

Upcoming events in Year One

 

WOW moment – very soon!

 

Meet the Teacher – Tuesday 9^th September 3.20pm

 

Individual Photos – Wednesday 15^th October

 

Cherry Tree Class Assembly – Tuesday 4^th November

 

Holly Tree Class Assembly – Wednesday 5^th November

 

Parents Evening (early)- Monday 10th November

 

Parents Evening (late) - Wednesday 12th November

 

Whole School trip to the Panto - Wednesday 3rd December

 

Year 1 Christmas performance – Monday 8^th December 2.15pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have any further questions and wish to speak to your child’s class teacher, please do not hesitate to contact us via Class Dojo or the school office to make an appointment.

 

Mrs Stow, Mrs Sinnet and Mrs Lock