Year 1 at Riverside is taught by building upon all the firm foundations that the children have experienced as part of their Foundation Stage year. At still just 5 and 6 years old, our youngest learners are taught in a way which works best for young minds.

The children are taught through a mixture of adult-led carpet sessions and activities and play, as part of our ‘In The Moment Planning’ approach to teaching and learning. This blend of learning allows us to deliver all the key areas of the curriculum in conjunction with the children’s own interests, questions and lines of enquiry.

Through this, the children can find about the world, about their friends and about themselves. Their learning is meaningful and relevant, they take the lead. It is hands-on, outdoors and (often!) messy and every day is just as fun and filled with learning as the day before.

“We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing.” ~ Charles Schaefer

“Play is not a break from learning. It is endless, delightful, deep, engaging, practical learning. It’s the doorway into the child’s heart!” ~ Vince Gowmon