Welcome to the Barn Owls Class page. 

About Us 

Barn Owls class is our year 1 and 2 class with children age 5-7. Our learning typically takes place in our classroom and developing outside area. We have Forest School every week in our on-site Forest School area.  

The class teacher is Miss Ellie Goodgame who is supported by amazing Teaching Assistants throughout the week: Mrs Plummer, Mrs Archer and Mrs Bernasconi. 

Curriculum and Learning 

Our curriculum is an evolving plan throughout the school which runs on a 2-year cycle, so children cover different topics in the consecutive years they are in Barn Owls.  

In Maths, we follow the White Rose scheme of work. We plan each lesson to build upon the previous one, so all children make progress and achieve.   

We share lots of stories in Barn Owls which form the basis of our literacy learning, leading to producing a variety of writing outcomes. We also use stories to practise oracy skills and storytelling, including role play and hotseating. Three reading books are sent home weekly for children to read and share at home with their families. 

Below are books recommended for both Year 1 and 2 children to enjoy at home:

Best Books for Year 1: Recommended Booklist for Ages 5-6 

Best Books for Year 2: Recommended Booklist for Ages 6-7  

Phonics 

Every day, children in Barn Owls take part in phonics lessons following the school's chosen DFE Phonics scheme which is the Twinkl phonics scheme. Year 1 typically learn the Level 5 sounds and most Year 2s will move on to the Level 6 sounds if they passed the Phonics Screening Check in the summer term of Year 1.

Timetable 

Our day starts at 8:40am and ends at 3:05pm. 

Our mornings typically consist of mostly Maths, English and Phonics. 

Our afternoons tend to be more topic-based, covering all other areas of the curriculum. We are also in the early stages of developing more 'continuous provision' in year 1 and 2.  

Currently, PE is on a Tuesday and Friday and Forest School is a Monday afternoon. Any changes are communicated on our Class Dojo app. 

Assessment 

Assessment is ongoing in Barn Owls and happens every day through questioning and observing the children working. We monitor the success of children to plan next steps. Summative assessments are completed termly. They will complete a PIRA reading assessment to assess their reading and comprehension skills. They will also complete a White Rose Maths assessment termly to check understanding of content taught. 

In Year 1 children will take part in the Phonics Screening check in June each year. This consists of children reading 20 real words and 20 ‘nonsense’ words using their phonics knowledge. This check takes place one to one with the class teacher and children are well prepared. Below is a link to the goverment website for more information: 

Phonics screening check: 2025 materials - GOV.UK 

Home Learning 

It is expected that children read with an adult at home for atleast 10 minutes every day. Three school books are provided weekly but children are welcome to read books they have at home too, just remember to pop any additional books in their reading record. 

Spellings are sent out weekly in line with the Twinkl Phonics scheme. We suggest a daily look, say, cover and write approach to practising spellings, but children are welcome to practise spellings however they like.  Maybe try writing the words with different colour pens or on big pieces of paper, if you have chalk at home its always fun to write outside on the ground too! 

Trips / Visits 

We make our curriculum as practical and exciting as possible so we include visits and visitors to school as often as we can. 

Visits vary each year, but include trips to Cotswold Wildlife Park, The Story Museum and local farms. In Barn Owls we will usually go on a school trip in the summer term.  

Communication 

Communication is key to a smooth-running classroom, and we do this in several ways. 

We use Class Dojo for whole-class messages and notes such as needing to bring something in, or a summary of what we have learnt in the week. We add important dates to this too, so do check regularly for updates.  

Teachers are available at the beginning and the end of the day if there is a quick query or message to pass on. If you need a longer meeting, then please email the office who will pass on your message, and we can arrange it with you.  

There are two parent’s evenings each year. In the Autumn Term we discuss how your child has settled into the year group and discuss any concerns. In the Spring Term we talk about your child’s academic progress.  

If your child has SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), in addition to the parent’s evenings, we will invite you to come into school three time each year to review their pupil profile and discuss their support needs.  

At the end of the school year, you will receive a school report with details of the levels your child has achieved in the core subjects, 

General reminders 

Things to bring to school every day:

• Water bottle - just plain water, please. 

• Lunch box (if you are having a packed lunch). We are a nut-free school so no nuts at all, please. 

• Snack - a break-time snack of fruit or vegetables is provided by the school for children in reception, year 1 and year 2. If your child would like to bring their own snack, they are welcome to bring a portion of fruit or vegetables only.

• Reading record and reading books: it is important that these are in school every day so we can read with the children. We will change books once weekly and will read with the children when we can. 

• Remember to wear PE kit to school on PE days. 

Forest School is on a Monday afternoon. Children should bring their forest school clothes to school to change in to, including; a long sleeve top, long trousers, waterproof trousers and jacket, warm layers in cold weather and welly-boots. Please see the Forest School page for more information. 

Pupil voice 

“It’s fun in Barn Owls” 

“I like it” 

“Forest School is my favourite”

“I like writing stories” 

“I’m happy in Barn Owls” 

“I enjoy learning and playing with my friends” 

“It’s fun when we make things” 

“I like maths the best”