Welcome to Year 1 at Coulsdon Church of England Primary School

Year 1 at Coulsdon C of E is an exciting step as children move from the Early Years Foundation Stage into the National Curriculum. We focus on supporting children to grow in confidence, independence and resilience while continuing to make learning engaging, enjoyable and meaningful.

Our Year 1 Class

• Class Teacher: Mrs Tansley
• Teaching Assistants: Mrs Darch (Monday - Thursday Mornings), Mrs Deller (Mornings and Alternate Afternoons), Mrs. Webb ( Monday Afternoon), and Mrs. Atkinson (Alternate Afternoons) and Mrs. Beckford (Friday Morning). 

Our Year 1 team works closely together to ensure children feel supported and encouraged as they settle into new routines and expectations.

What Do We Do in Year 1?

During the first few weeks of Year 1, we spend time getting to know one another and establishing positive learning behaviours. Children are encouraged to develop a growth mindset, replacing “I can’t” with “I will try” or “I can’t… yet!”

At Coulsdon C of E, we help children understand that making mistakes is a natural and important part of learning. Through encouragement, challenge and support, pupils quickly develop confidence and perseverance in their learning.

 

Highlights of the Year in Year 1

Year 1 is packed with unforgettable moments, hands-on learning and experiences that spark curiosity and confidence!

???? Autumn Term Adventures

One of the biggest highlights of the autumn term is Toy Day — a special opportunity for children to bring in a favourite toy from home as part of their History learning. This much-loved day not only builds excitement but also strengthens speaking and listening skills, boosts confidence in oracy, and inspires wonderful pieces of writing based on real experiences.

Children also shine during Show and Tell, proudly sharing their interests and stories, and of course, the magical Nativity performance — a heart-warming celebration where every child plays a special part.

???? Spring Term Discoveries

The spring term brings history to life with the fascinating topic of the Great Fire of London. The children are captivated by this dramatic period in history and love making connections across their learning in English, Art and DT.

A particular highlight is designing and building moving model taxis in Design and Technology. Seeing their creations come to life is a proud and exciting moment for our young engineers!

☀️ Summer Term Experiences

Summer in Year 1 is full of energy and creativity. From the excitement of Sports Day to preparing and making their very own sandwiches in DT, the children relish every hands-on opportunity.

Their History topic, Nurturing Nurses, is brought vividly to life through engaging drama workshops. Last year, for example, the children “travelled” all the way to Kingston to learn about the inspiring Mary Seacole. They explored her early life and discovered her incredible work during the Crimean War, including setting up the British Hotel to care for injured soldiers.

Curriculum Information

For full details of the Year 1 curriculum, please see the Curriculum Information page in this section.

Meet the Teacher

Parents and carers can find the slides from the Meet the Teacher information meeting held in September below.