Welcome to Leopards – Autumn 2026

Class Teachers

Mrs Field (Monday - Friday)

PPA - Wednesday afternoon

Mrs Philips (Wednesday pm)

Teaching Assistants

Mrs Allan (Tuesday am, Thursday, Friday)

Mrs Simpson (Monday and Wednesday)

Miss Yardley (Monday-Friday)

Welcome to Leopards Class!  It is wonderful to see so many happy faces arriving at school each morning and already making a great transition to year 1.  The children follow a similar routine to last year and we find this really supports the move to a new class.  As the children arrive they will carefully pop their water bottles on the table for easy access throughout the morning and put their bags and coats away.  They will settle for a little handwriting practise before the register.  This gives the team time to check in with the children and ensure they are feeling settled and ready for the day ahead.  If your child has had a restless night please mention this at drop-off.  For longer conversations, I am available at the end of each day and I can give you my full attention.  If your child attends after-school club I am happy to meet you before you collect. 

Gates open at 8.35am please be prompt to allow your child time to settle ahead of a very busy day. 

Curriculum:

Our topic this term is: Toys - Now and Then.  We will learn about our favourite toys of today and discover how these have changed over time.  If you have toys from your childhood please share these with your child to help them begin to understand how some toys are very different today.

Reading:

Each child has been issued a reading book from our reading scheme and a yellow Reading Record.  Your child's reading book and reading record will need to be sent to school each day.  We are very fortunate to have a reading volunteer come once a week and year 5/6 will also be listening to the children read once a week.  These sessions allow the children to build positive relationships with members of our school community.  Later in the term, your child may also take part in Guided Reading where children work in a small group to share a book which is matched to their phonics level.    

As discussed in our recent Class Meeting learning to read and write takes lots of practise.  Reading little and often at home will build reading skills and support the development of writing.  It is important children are also exposed to pictures books and have the opportunity to hear and discuss stories regularly.  A rich vocabulary from reading will not only support our language skills but also our writing.  Comprehension skills are important and the questions at the back of each reading scheme book provide an excellent guide to discussion points.

PE Kits:

• Red t-shirt
• Black shorts/leggins or joggers
• Trainers
• Hoodie/fleece as the weather starts to get chilly

PE will take place on Tuesdays (outdoor) and Fridays (indoor). We will send their PE kits home at the end of each half-term to be washed. 

Forest School:

Forest School is a wonderful opportunity which allows children to develop their awareness and knowledge of a natural environment. Opportunities to manage small risks are encouraged and often self-esteem and resilience flourish during our outdoor sessions.  This half term we will be focussing on the changing season. Forest School will take place on Thursday afternoon. Our first session will begin on 24th September. We will change after lunch play and enjoy the afternoon outside. 

Forest School Kit:

• Old Trousers/leggins
• Old t-shirt/long sleeved top
• Old coat
• Wellington boots
• As the season changes please add additional layers such as hat, gloves, scarf etc.
• A bag to put clothing into if it is wet/extra muddy

Legs need to be covered to minimise the possibility of being stung by nettles/bitten by insects – No shorts or jeans.