Kingfisher Class – Year 1 & 2

Class Teacher
Miss Ion

Teaching Assistants
Miss Rhodes, Miss Tuite, Miss Hall, Miss Kuehn, Mrs Dawson

"Let your light shine for all to see."

Matthew 5:16

Courage, Curiosity, Connection

Welcome to Kingfisher Class!

We are a happy and enthusiastic class of Year 1 and Year 2 children who love to learn, explore and grow together. In Kingfisher Class, we are guided by our three core values: courage, curiosity and connection.

In the Kingfisher class, we show courage by trying new things, challenging ourselves and never being afraid to make mistakes as part of our learning journey. Our curiosity helps us to ask questions, explore new ideas and develop a love of learning across all areas of the curriculum. We build strong connections with one another, working as a team, showing kindness and supporting each other every day.

Curriculum Overview

In Kingfisher Class, we provide a balance of provision-based learning (learning through play) and structured table work. Children have opportunities to explore and develop skills through play, alongside focused lessons. This approach helps us create a learning environment that is both engaging and supportive for all children. Please see the attached PDF documents below.

Reading

Year 1 and 2 children take part in four guided reading lessons each week. These are carried out in small focus groups, where children develop their vocabulary, comprehension and fluency alongside an adult.

Children also take part in age-grouped phonics lessons four times a week, where they learn to read, write and pronounce new sounds.

In addition, children have regular opportunities throughout the week to read with an adult. We ask that all children read their school books at home (matched to their phonetic level) at least three times a week. This really helps to build their confidence and progress, and your support is greatly appreciated.

Spellings

In Kingfisher Class, children will receive weekly spelling homework, which will be sent home on a Thursday.

These spellings will be a mixture of the year group’s common exception words and newly taught phonics sounds. Children are encouraged to practise reading, writing and spelling these words at home. We do not carry out a traditional weekly spelling test. However, they will be checked with these spellings throughout their daily English lessons.

We do, however, carry out a half-termly spelling revisit. This is a short check to review children’s knowledge of common exception words and recently taught phonics sounds to check progress.

Homework

Children will receive one piece of recap homework each week, which will be sent home on a Thursday and should be returned to school the following Thursday. This homework will alternate between Writing and Maths, depending on class progress. We encourage children to complete it alongside an adult, but as independently as possible.

Assessments

Year 1

Phonics Assessments
Half-termly Little Wandle Phonics Assessments are used to assess children’s sound recognition and reading knowledge.

Termly Assessments
Year 1 children take part in NFER assessments at the end of the Spring and Summer terms, which include both mathematics and reading assessments.

Statutory Phonics Screening Check
Gov Phonics Screening Check Information for parents

The statutory Phonics Screening Check is a mandatory assessment in June for Year 1 pupils in England to determine their phonics skills.

Year 2

Phonics Assessments
Half-termly Little Wandle Phonics Assessments are used to assess children’s sound recognition and reading knowledge. Year 2 also have a Little Wandle fluency check to determine which book level they are at.

Termly Assessments
Year 2 children take part in NFER assessments at the end of the Autumn and Spring terms, which include both mathematics and reading assessments.

SATs
Year 2 children take part in SATs assessments in the Summer term. Children are assessed in Reading, Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (GPS), and Maths (Arithmetic and Reasoning).

Times Tables Rockstars

ttrockstars.com

Times Tables Rock Stars is a fun and engaging website where children can practise their times tables and the corresponding division facts.

Children’s login details can be found on the first page of their reading journal.

Numbots

Numbots.com

Numbots is a child-friendly online platform that helps children develop their understanding of number, addition, and subtraction. It supports fluency and confidence in early maths skills through interactive games and activities.