Classes

Welcome to Chestnut

Thank you for choosing us to continue your child’s education!  We value our parents as the first educators of our children and look forward to collaborating with you throughout your child's journey with us!  When you have received your confirmation letter you will be invited to several workshops and drop in sessions where we will be taking you through early reading, mark making and early mathematics. All lots of fun! We will also talk about our expectations for attendance and behaviour for learning as well as the exciting extra curricular activities we run.  

In Year 1 we are focussing on our vital early reading skills.  This is the Year of Reading and we are focussed on reading everyday both at school and at home.  We send home reading books to share with families.  We still follow the Read, Write Inc approach to phonics all through the Early Years until Year 1.  We also encourage counting and consolidating numbers to 10 and then to 20.  Have fun seeing how many numbers you can find in your environment!  

We love being out and about in the open air- we do lots of outdoor learning and creating! 

Teacher:  Mrs Jeffries

Teaching Assistant:  Miss Allen

Hello and welcome to Chestnut Class. I’m Mrs Jeffries, the class teacher. I have over 30 years’ experience working with young children in a variety of roles, including many years supporting children with special educational needs (SEN). I am passionate about early years education and believe a strong partnership between teachers and parents is essential to build a confident foundation for every child’s learning.

Chestnut Class is Reception and Year 1. We follow a rich, play-based curriculum in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage. Our classroom is a place where every child is respected and encouraged to follow their own ideas — creating a fun, busy and stimulating environment. We use meaningful, engaging topics to spark children’s imagination and curiosity, so their skills can grow and they gain the confidence to make choices and take safe risks. These experiences give us valuable insight into each child’s strengths and needs — this is where the learning journey begins.

Year 1 children also take part in continuous provision, which we call “Discovery Time.” This is integrated into our timetable and complements small-group focused teaching.

We are fortunate to have a large classroom and an extensive outdoor play area, allowing children to free-flow between indoor and outdoor learning. We regularly adapt and improve our learning environment to meet the children’s interests and developmental needs.

On this page you can find examples of what your child has been learning in class. We hope you enjoy these snapshots and that you will share them with your child.

Phonics, Reading and Writing

When the children join us in reception they will be already on their reading journey. Within a couple of weeks of starting school, the children will be taught phonics daily, using the Read Write Inc. programme. In addition to learning the sounds, the children will be able to identify tricky words (also known as common exception words). These words cannot be sounded out and the children need to be able to read these by sight. At Oakhill, we follow Read Write Inc. programme by Ruth Miskin.

For more information on Read Write inc. please visit the website: https://www.ruthmiskin.com/ 

Maths

In Chestnut class, Maths is a very practical subject based around play and loose parts. We focus heavily upon learning and really understanding the language of maths. We follow the White Rose maths scheme for EYFS.

Tapestry

In Chestnut class, we use an online learning profile called ‘Tapestry’. Tapestry is a useful resource as it allows us to share the learning the children have made in school with you through written observations, photographs and video recordings. It also allows you to upload any learning the children have done at home. You can also communicate to the class teacher via the messenger tab.

Chestnut Reminders

• Please name your child’s clothing – we want to reunite any lost clothing to their owners!
• Please ensure your child brings their reading book and reading diaries into school each day.
• Please provide your child with a named water bottle – this must contain water only.
• Show and tell items – your child is encouraged to bring in any special items from home to share with the class although they cannot specifically be toys. Please talk with your child about the reason behind them wanting to bring something special from home in; why is the item special to them? If it is something they have found such as a feather or birds’ nest; can they tell us where they found it and who it might have belonged to?

Welcome to Elm

Teacher: Miss Bodinar

Teaching Assistant: Mrs Garbutt

Elm Class is a mixed Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 class.

Welcome to Elm Class!

Welcome to Elm Class, we are a mixed year 2, 3 and 4 class. We continue our passion for learning from the foundation stage but promote independence as we learn together in a happy and supportive environment. In Elm class we are a family - we recognise and celebrate each other’s unique talents and are always willing to help others in a kind and respectful way. Our classroom is a calm environment where we are inspired to learn and feel comfortable to takes risks and learn from our mistakes. We tailor learning to meet each child's needs and ensure that they are all valued members of our class family. A child's education is such a crucial part of their journey through life, so we should nurture not only their academic skills but also their curiosity, confidence and compassion that guide them long after the classroom.

Homework

Homework is set every Friday and should be returned the following Thursday. Tasks will include weekly spellings, reading, and a maths task to consolidate our mathematics skills from the week. The children will have a reading book and will be expected to read for a minimum of 10 minutes at home daily. 

Snack

Children should bring in a water bottle daily and are encouraged to bring a healthy snack for morning break however a variety of fruit and vegetables are available throughout the week. 

PE

PE lessons take place on Tuesday and Fridays. Please ensure your child comes to school wearing their PE kit on these days. PE kit consists of a house-coloured polo top, blue shorts or jogging bottoms along with trainers or daps. Please ensure that your child has studs if they have their ears pierced and long hair must be tied back. 

*For term 3 and 4 Elm Class will go swimming on a Tuesday morning. 

Uniform

It is a school expectation that your child shows pride in their appearance when wearing our school uniform. Your child needs to come to school wearing a school navy polo shirt, a school navy jumper, skirt, trousers and school shoes (no trainers). Please ensure that your child is equipped to go outside in all seasons so this includes a waterproof jacket, wellington boots, gloves/winter hat or sunhat. 

Welcome to Oak

Teacher:  Mr Swarbrooke

Oak Class is a mixed year 4, year 5 and year 6 class

Homework

Homework is set every Friday and should be returned the following Friday. Tasks will include spellings, reading, and activities to strengthen mathematics foundations.

PE

PE lessons take place on Thursdays and Fridays. Please ensure your child comes to school wearing their PE kit on these days. They should also bring a water bottle and a healthy snack to stay energised.

Topics & Text – 2025-2026

Termly plans are shared with parents every term.

All About Mr Swarbooke

My vision for high-quality education is to create experiences that empower every child to become a confident, successful learner. I am committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning and believe that every child deserves teachers who believe in them and can meet their individual needs.

To achieve this, I advocate for a rich and diverse curriculum that extends beyond the classroom, offering opportunities for children to step outside their comfort zones, build confidence, and develop a sense of intrinsic joy in learning. This approach is rooted in strong values, high expectations, and a shared sense of global responsibility—while ensuring that fun remains at the heart of the journey.