Our Year 1 Curriculum

Within Year 1, our curriculum is taught across the year through our three enquiries. The enquiries all have an overarching question which the children work towards answering through an authentic outcome. Our enquiries are developed by driving and enhancing subjects. 

In addition, our enquiries connect to our DEAL curriculum principles and shape the way the enquiries are planned and delivered.

Our Year 1 Enquiries 

Autumn Term- How does the past shape the future?

Through this enquiry, our children will build on the concept of significance when learning about historically significant people in the Victorian era and their impact on society today. In EYFS, our children will have learnt about significant people to them, within their community and our world. They have begun to explore legacy and how can leave their own. In year 2, children will study a significant era in British history (The Great Fire of London) and its impact on our world today. In key stage two, our children begin to study British history in chronological order as well as other historically significant people, events and periods of time.  

In RE, the children will be able to compare and contrast how Christmas was celebrated in during the Victorian era with the modern-day celebration: learning what makes a tradition. 

In art and design, the children will study the artist John Callcott Horsley, who designed the first Christmas card, and use this as inspiration when creating their own cards and wrapping paper. 

Our Autumn Enquiry Authentic Outcome

Spring Term- What makes the UK unique?

Through this enquiry, our children will learn about the unique qualities of their city, the four countries of the UK and their capital cities. In EYFS, the children will have learnt about their local community, the town in which they live and compare this to other countries around the world with a particular focus on Brazil and Italy. They will have understood how significant people have left their legacy and made a positive change to our world.  

In year 2, our children will draw upon their knowledge of the four home nations to study countries of the world across all seven continents and explore similarities and differences of their geographical features. In key stage two, year 3, the children will begin to explore countries and the physical features that make them unique as well as how people from the UK support others though charities who respond to natural disasters. In year 4, the children will reactivate their knowledge of Nottingham (River Trent) whilst learning about rivers which they will be able to compare with other significant rivers around the world (the River Nile and the Amazon River and the city of Manaus in Brazil). In year 5/6 cycle 2, our children will learn about countries which are less economically developed and contrast these with European developed countries. They will utilise this knowledge to inform their opinions around displacement and how to demonstrate empathy, support and display non discriminative behaviour.  

In RE, the children will feel a sense of belonging when they understand the community in which live. As an enhancer, the children will work collaboratively to create a sculpture in the style of Takashi Murakami.