This half term in Year One, we have begun reading How to Catch a Star. The children have already shown great enjoyment and enthusiasm for the story.

So far, we have been retelling the story in our storytelling corner, using props and role play to help bring it to life. We have also been sequencing the story by matching sentences to the correct parts, helping the children to develop their understanding of beginning, middle and end. The children have enjoyed retelling the story in their own words, sharing their ideas and interpretations with confidence.

We are looking forward to continuing our learning and exploring the story further over the coming weeks.

This half term term in Year One, we have been exploring digital painting and learning how technology can be used as a creative art tool. The children have enjoyed discovering how drawing programmes on tablets can help them create pictures in exciting new ways, while still using many of the skills they practise in traditional art lessons.

We began by learning how to use simple drawing tools to create digital self‑portraits. The children explored using different brushes, colours and lines, and learned how to undo mistakes and try again. This helped to build confidence and encouraged them to experiment freely, just as they would when drawing with pencils and crayons.

Next, we explored shape and colour by creating artwork inspired by Piet Mondrian. Using the drawing programmes, the children practised drawing straight lines and shapes, then quickly filling them with bold primary colours using the fill tool. This activity helped the children understand how digital tools can make some processes faster, while still requiring careful choices and creativity.

Finally, we explored pointillism by creating artwork both on paper and on tablets. The children used small dots to build up pictures and then compared the two methods. We talked about which one they preferred and why. Some children enjoyed the tactile feel of paint and paper, while others liked how quickly they could work digitally and easily change colours.

This week, Year 1 have been busy becoming instruction experts—and what better way to practise than by creating our very own disgusting sandwiches!

We began by learning all about imperative (bossy) verbs, such as put, squash, mix and spread. These helped us give clear, direct commands in our writing. We also used time conjunctions like first, next, after that and finally to help us order each step carefully.

Once we were confident, the real fun began! The children planned and wrote instructions for some truly horrible creations—think soggy lettuce, mouldy cheese, slimy banana skins and a sprinkling of green slime for good measure. They worked hard to structure their writing accurately and make each step easy to follow.

Today in Year 1, we set off on an exciting Geography adventure, beginning right here in our school grounds! We explored the physical features—like trees, grass and the playground equipment—and the human features, such as buildings, fences and paths. The children used great observation skills to spot the differences.

We then learnt that Blackpool is a town, and using aerial views, we thought carefully about the human and physical features we might find in our own local area. The children enjoyed identifying what makes our town special from above.

Next, we zoomed out to look at the four countries of the United Kingdom—England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland—and located where Blackpool sits within the UK. After that, we travelled even further out, exploring the seven continents of the world and gaining a sense of how Blackpool fits into the wider world.

To finish our learning, we explored the four seasons we experience in the UK: spring, summer, autumn and winter. We talked about the signs of each season and how the weather, plants and what we wear can all change throughout the year.

It was a fun-filled day of exploring, discovering and thinking about the world around us—starting small and ending with the whole globe!

Year 1 had a fantastic time in music today! We learned to play along to the song "Sing Me a Song" using our glockenspiels, and the children were brilliant musicians.

We focused on practising the notes F and G, learning how to play each one clearly and confidently. The class worked hard to keep in time with the steady beat, listening carefully and joining in at just the right moment.

This week in Year 1, we’ve been busy becoming mini‑mathematicians! Our focus has been on measuring using non‑standard units, and the children have absolutely loved it.

We used cubes as our measuring tools and explored how to find the length and height of different classroom objects. The children carefully lined up their cubes, counted each one, and recorded how many cubes long or tall each item was.

As we worked, we also talked about comparison—thinking about objects that were taller or shorter than the ones we measured. The children made brilliant observations and began using mathematical vocabulary with growing confidence.

This week, Year 1 have been learning all about the Jewish festival of Sukkot, and to help deepen their understanding, the children have been busy designing and creating their very own Sukkahs. A Sukkah is a special temporary shelter used during Sukkot to remember the time the Jewish people spent in the desert.

Before building, we talked about the important features a Sukkah must have. The children remembered that it needs three sides, a roof made from natural materials such as leaves or twigs found on the ground, and that it is built to show thanks to God for providing food, water, and protection during the journey through the desert.

Using a range of materials, the children carefully crafted their structures, paying close attention to the shape and the natural roof. It was wonderful to see their creativity, teamwork, and growing understanding of why Sukkot is such a meaningful celebration.

Year 1 loved bringing this festival to life through hands-on learning—and their Sukkahs were absolutely fantastic!

Over the next two weeks, Year 1 will be focusing on the wonderfully funny—and delightfully yucky—story The Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards and Hannah Shaw. The children will explore the adventures of the hungry badger and the sandwich that will become progressively more and more… disgusting!

Throughout our learning journey, the children will sequence the key events of the story, using pictures and simple sentences to help them understand how the sandwich will change along the way. They will also practise retelling the story in their own words, building their confidence in speaking, listening, and expressive language.

After that, Year 1 will step into the role of real instruction writers. They will learn all about imperative verbs—those bossy words that tell us what to do—and then use them to create their very own set of instructions on how to make a truly disgusting sandwich. From “squash it,” to “drop it,” to “mix in the mud,” we can’t wait to see the imaginative creations they will come up with.

It will be a fantastic learning journey, and we know the children’s enthusiasm will shine through. Stay tuned to discover what will make their sandwiches so deliciously dreadful!

What an exciting Science Day we’ve had in Year One! The children spent the day exploring, experimenting, and discovering new ideas through hands‑on activities both in the classroom and in a special workshop.

Workshop with Rebecca

We began the day with an engaging science workshop led by Rebecca, who introduced the children to a variety of fun experiments:

🔌 Circuits:
The children investigated how electrical circuits work, testing out lights and buzzers. They quickly learned that if a circuit is broken—even just a little—electricity can’t flow, and the components stop working. There were lots of “oohs” and “aahs” as they watched their bulbs light up!

✨ Static String:
Next, we experimented with static electricity. The children explored how static charge can make materials stick, rise, or move. Their faces lit up as they watched pieces of string magically lift and dance using only the power of static!

🫧 Giant Bubbles:
One of the most memorable moments of the morning was making giant bubbles—so big that some children could stand inside them! There was plenty of laughter as they tried to create the biggest, strongest bubble possible.

Back in the Classroom: Biscuit Investigation

In the afternoon, we turned into scientists once again to solve a very important question:

“What biscuit would be best for the Gingerbread Man to be made of so he can cross the river without the help of the fox?”

After planning our investigation, the children tested a selection of biscuits by placing them in water and observing what happened. We discussed predictions, watched closely as the biscuits absorbed water, and recorded our findings.

🧪 Our Conclusion:
Gingerbread is the best biscuit for the Gingerbread Man!
It turned out to be the least absorbent of the biscuits we tested, meaning it kept its shape the longest and didn’t crumble in the water.

Today was a very special Together Time as we welcomed our parents into the classroom to share in our learning. Over the past few weeks, we have been exploring animal habitats—the places where different animals live and how these environments help them survive.

To celebrate our learning, children and parents worked side by side to create colourful habitat dioramas. Each child chose one habitat from the four we have been studying:

• Desert
• Woodland
• Polar
• Ocean

Together, we talked about what makes each habitat unique—its weather, plants, and the animals that call it home. Then, using a mix of craft materials, imagination, and teamwork, the children built a miniature world showing what an animal needs to survive, such as food, shelter, water, and protection.

It was wonderful seeing families creating, chatting, and learning together. From polar bears in icy landscapes to bright ocean scenes filled with fish, every diorama was a brilliant expression of creativity and understanding.

Thank you to all the parents who joined us today. Your involvement makes our learning so much richer, and the children were incredibly proud to share their knowledge with you.

We can’t wait for our next Together Time adventure! 🌟

Today, our school was filled with excitement, rhythm, and a whole lot of noise as we welcomed Travelling by Tuba for a fantastic day of music-making!

We kicked things off with a lively assembly, where we were introduced to an amazing collection of instruments from all around the world. From deep, booming brass to unusual instruments we’d never even seen before, every demonstration came with a burst of fun facts, sound effects, and plenty of laughs. It was a brilliant way to discover just how diverse—and entertaining—music can be.

In the afternoon, the fun continued with a hands-on workshop. Everyone had the chance to play a wide range of instruments, each with its own unique rhythm. Working together, we layered these rhythms to create our very own musical masterpiece. The room was buzzing with energy, teamwork, and creativity as we explored how different sounds can blend to make something amazing.

Travelling by Tuba gave us a day full of discovery, laughter, and unforgettable music. We learned that you don’t have to be a professional to enjoy making music—you just need curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to try something new!

What an incredible experience! 🎵✨