Welcome to our Year 1 Class Page.  

Curriculum Information for Parents and Carers – Year 1 Autumn Term 2026

The Autumn Term is underway and we would like to share with you a summary of what your child is learning in class. We would also like to share some ways that you can support your child at home.

RE

We will follow the Lighting the Path programme, beginning with Branch 1: Creation and Covenant. We will explore the story of Creation in Genesis, learning that Christians believe God created the world and that creation reveals God’s love. We will begin to understand how God calls people into relationship with him and will learn important prayers, including the Sign of the Cross and the Our Father. 
In Branch 2: Prophecy and Promise, we will explore the Christmas story, beginning to understand the Bible as Sacred Scripture and learning about the Annunciation, Mary’s response to God, the birth of Jesus and the presence of angels. We will learn why the birth of Jesus is such an important part of the Christian faith and explore how the Christmas story shows God’s love for humanity.
Catholic Social Teaching

• Care for Creation: We will learn how God calls us to look after the planet – to be Stewards of Creation.
• Preferential Option for the Poor: We will learn how God calls us to look for those in need and to work hard to support them as best we can.
  and fairly paid.

English

This term, we will be exploring a range of high-quality picture books to support children in developing and applying their writing skills. We will practise writing captions, retelling a well-known story, and using our ideas to create our own story. Throughout the term, we will continue to develop key writing conventions, with a particular focus on using capital letters, finger spaces and full stops correctly. We will also be encouraged to rehearse our ideas orally before writing and to develop increasing confidence and independence as writers.

Mathematics

Number and Place Value: We will develop and refine the following mathematical concepts and skills: count forwards and backwards to 10; count, order, read and write numbers to 10; compare numbers using words like less than, greater than, equal to; solve addition and subtraction problems to ten, exploring number bonds. We will also be introduced to how to use a number line.

Geometry: We will recognise, name and sort 2D and 3D shapes, and create patterns using 2D and 3D shapes.

Science

The Human Body: In this topic, we will learn about the basic parts of the human body and explore their five senses using a wide range of activities.

Material Changes: In this topic, we will identify and name objects and the materials from which they are made. We will compare and group materials based on how they look and feel.

Seasonal Changes: We will explore seasonal changes at varying times throughout the term.

History

In this unit, we will explore our personal chronology and find out about the past within living memory. We will examine photographs and ask questions. We will begin to look at a simple timeline extending back to before we were born.

Geography

In this unit, we will locate where we live on an aerial photograph, recognising features within a local context. We will create maps using classroom objects before drawing simple maps of the school grounds. We will follow simple routes around the school grounds.

Music

Autumn Half Term 1: Ocarina (Rhythm and pulse) We will be memorising, notating and recalling rhythms involving crotchets, quavers and crotchet rests using Ocarinas to cement understanding.

Autumn Half Term 2: Nativity We will develop our performance skills, including use of our diaphragm when singing and the ability to project our voice. We will work on singing posture and combining actions with music.

PE

Fundamental Skills: We will explore balancing, running, changing direction, jumping, hopping and skipping. 

Sending and Receiving: We will develop throwing and catching, rolling, kicking, tracking and stopping a ball. We will work with a range of different sized balls and apply skills individually, in pairs and in small groups. 

Ball Skills: We will explore different ball skills, such as hitting a target, dribbling both with hands and feet, and kicking a ball.

Dance: We will explore travelling actions, movement skills and balancing. We will consider why it is important to count to music and use this in our dances. We will copy and repeat actions linking them together to make short dance phrases.

Art

We will be exploring mark-making and types of lines. We will also be working and experimenting with different materials through observational and collaborative pieces. 

Design and Technology

We will be exploring slider mechanisms and the movement they output, to design, make and evaluate a moving storybook from a range of templates.

RHE (Relationship and Health Education)

We will explore how we are all unique and special. We will look at ways to keep ourselves clean, healthy and maintain personal hygiene. The topic encourages us to celebrate similarities and differences between people, including our God-given bodies and the things they enable us to do!

How you can help your child at home

• Reading daily and talking about the book – recalling what has happened, explaining feelings of characters, explaining the meaning of new vocabulary.
• Completing Phonics Homework
• Helping with Maths homework
• Providing support with half termly projects
• Lots of talking! This helps build understanding of the world around us, as well as vocabulary