Year 1 & Year 2
Welcome to Key Stage 1!
A very warm welcome to the Year 1 and Year 2 page at Church of the Ascension Primary School.
We are delighted to be working with your children and look forward to another exciting year of learning, discovery and achievement. On this page, you will find key information about our classes, daily routines, curriculum, homework, reading and important updates throughout the year.
We believe that strong partnerships between home and school help children to thrive, and we thank you for your ongoing support.
Daily Routines and Expectations
The playground gates open at 8:40am, and children should enter school through their designated entrance from 8:45am onwards.
During wet weather, we aim to open classroom doors slightly earlier where possible. Members of staff will be available at the school gates and entrances each morning to welcome children and pass on any messages.
To ensure a smooth start to the day, please avoid approaching classrooms or class teachers directly. Instead, speak to a member of staff on duty, who will happily pass on any information.
Designated Entrances
Class 1B and class 1/2S
Please use the ramp beside the Reception classrooms and enter through the double fire doors.
Class 2B/C
Please enter through the Peace Garden and use the double fire doors.
Morning Routine
When children arrive, they will:
- Place water bottles and lunch boxes on the trolley
- Complete their morning learning activity
As cloakroom space is limited, we ask that children use a book bag rather than a backpack, as book bags fit neatly inside classroom trays.
Please note that children do not need a pencil case, as all equipment is provided in school.
What Children Need Each Day
✅ A named water bottle filled with water
✅ A healthy snack for morning break
✅ A school lunch, school sandwich or packed lunch
All children in Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to Universal Free School Meals.
End of the School Day
The school day ends at 3:20pm.
Children will be dismissed onto the Key Stage 1 playground. Please ensure that you are clearly visible to staff so that we can dismiss children safely and efficiently.
Classes and Staffing
Year 1B
Year 1/2S
- Miss Cole (until October half-term)
- Miss Slater (following her return from maternity leave)
Year 2BC
- Mrs Birad and Miss Carter (until October half-term)
Mrs Birad: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Miss Carter: Monday and Friday.
- Mrs Birad and Miss Cole (following October half-term)
Support Staff
- Mrs Whitehead
- Mrs Longville
- Mrs Touw
- Mr Collins (until October half term)
General Reminders
Book Bags
Book bags should be brought to school every day.
Please check them regularly for letters, homework and important information. As children only require the space provided in a book bag, backpacks are not necessary.
Water Bottles
Children should bring a water bottle every day to help them stay hydrated and ready to learn. We have a very limited number of disposable cups available for emergencies.
Reading and Phonics
Year 1 Phonics
As part of our commitment to high-quality phonics teaching, we follow the Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS) programme.
ELS is based on the well-established Letters and Sounds approach and supports children in becoming confident, fluent readers.
To support your child’s reading development:
- Read the decodable book at least three times each week
- Aim for 10 minutes of reading each day
- Celebrate and encourage reading at home
Children will have access to:
- An eBook of their decodable text
- A “Share With Me” phonics book matched to their current phonics stage
For further information, please visit the school’s Reading and Writing page.
Year 2 Reading and Spellings
Once children have completed Essential Letters and Sounds, they will move onto the Essential Letters and Sounds Spelling Programme.
This programme covers all Year 2 National Curriculum spelling objectives and helps children develop confidence, accuracy and independence in their writing.
Children will continue to receive a “Share With Me” book matched to their reading ability.
Reading Books
Reading books will be changed every Friday.
Keeping the same book for a full week gives children valuable opportunities to re-read and develop:
- Fluency
- Accuracy
- Expression
- Confidence
The books sent home are carefully matched to what your child has been taught in school and are intended for independent reading success.
Library Books
Alongside their reading book, children will choose a ‘Dot’ Library Book each Friday.
These books are selected for enjoyment and may not be fully decodable. They can be read:
- To your child
- With your child
- Alongside your child
Sharing books together is one of the best ways to develop a lifelong love of reading.
Homework and Spellings
Homework is sent home on Friday and should be returned by Tuesday.
Homework alternates weekly between:
Spellings
Children will regularly practise spellings in school as part of our spelling curriculum.
Weekly spelling lists will also be available on the class page for families who would like to provide extra practice at home.
Phoneme fans and harder-to-read-and-spell words may also be sent home as children learn them in school.
Little and often is best—short, regular practice helps children retain and apply their learning.
Mathematics
We encourage children to regularly access:
NumBots
Recommended for Year 1 children.
Times Tables Rock Stars
Recommended for Year 2 children.
Regular practice helps build number fluency, confidence and recall.
Kinetic Letters
We use the Kinetic Letters® handwriting programme.
The programme focuses on four key areas:
- Making bodies stronger
- Correct pencil grip
- Learning letter formation
- Developing flow and fluency
By developing handwriting automaticity, children can focus more fully on their learning and written composition.
Physical Education (PE)
PE lessons take place on Wednesday (Outdoor) and Thursday (Indoor).
Please ensure that:
- PE kits remain in school throughout the week
- All clothing is clearly named
- Children have suitable PE footwear
- Earrings are removed before PE lessons (plasters cannot be worn to cover them and staff are unable to support children with removing earrings).
- Long hair is tied back
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to a member of the Year 1 and Year 2 team at the door.
Alternatively, you can contact the school office via:
info@chur-ascen.dudley.sch.uk
We aim to respond to all queries as promptly as possible.
Curriculum Overviews
To find out more about the exciting learning taking place in Year 1 and Year 2 throughout the year, please explore our curriculum overviews and topic information using the links below.
2026-2027 Roll B
Termly overview Year 1 Autumn Roll B 26-27
Termly Overview Year 2 Autumn Roll B 26-27
Termly overview Year 1 Spring Roll B
Termly overview Year 2 Spring Roll B
Termly overview Year 1 Summer Roll B
Termly overview Year 2 Summer Roll B
2025 – 2026 Roll A
Termly Overview Year 1 Autumn Roll A
Termly Overview Year 2 Autumn Roll A
Termly Overview Year 1 Spring Roll A
Termly Overview Year 2 Spring Roll A
Termly Overview Year 1 Summer Roll A
Termly Overview Year 2 Summer Roll A
Thank You
Thank you for your continued support. We are excited to work in partnership with you throughout the year and look forward to helping every child grow in confidence, independence and success.
Mrs Bate, Miss Cole, Mrs Birad and Miss Carter 🌟