Unit Class – S1

S1 Teacher: Miss Riley

Welcome to our class! We are S1, and we are really excited to share with you what makes our class special.

Here in S1, we take pride in creating a small and nurturing environment where each child can thrive and feel valued. We recognise the diverse range of abilities and unique learning journeys of our children, which is why we celebrate every milestone they achieve, no matter how small.

In our class, communication is very important. We place a significant emphasis on various forms of communication, ensuring that every child’s voice is heard and understood. We use tools such as Makaton, objects of reference, and symbols to promote successful interactions and foster an inclusive atmosphere.

Recognising the individuality of each child is paramount to our approach. Our carefully planned provision allows us to meet the unique needs of our children effectively. We believe in allowing our children to learn at their own pace, encouraging them to explore their interests and abilities while providing the necessary support to overcome challenges. We aim to support our children in become more independent and learn important skills, like using the toilet and self-care.

In our classroom, we create spaces that are responsive to the various needs of our children. We want our children to feel free to learn through play and explore new things independently in our continuous provision. We have high interest activities to help with talking and language and use the BLAST programme to help develop communication. We support the development of fine motor skills through activities such as ‘Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle’ and ‘Dough Disco’. Attention Autism is another exciting intervention we deliver that helps children to improve their focus and engagement.

We also love learning outside! The benefits of learning outside the traditional classroom are vast, offering opportunities for exploration, creativity, and growth. Our outdoor activities help children develop physically while also working on teamwork and friendships. Nature is an exciting teacher, and we enjoy taking our lessons outside to discover new challenges and fun experiences.

A crucial part of our ethos lies in working together with parents and caregivers. We firmly believe that parental engagement is vital in promoting a positive learning experience. We host termly parental engagement sessions, which provide an opportunity for parents to connect with us and one another. We also use Class Dojo to keep everyone updated on what is happening in class, so parents can stay involved and support their child’s learning journey.

Home reading is an important part of our class. We ask families to help their children read at home at least three times a week. This not only helps them practise their reading skills but also makes reading fun! We provide a variety of books that match each child’s reading level, as well as reading for pleasure books to keep them engaged and excited about reading.

S1 class is a place where each child is valued, supported, and celebrated. We pride ourselves on fostering an environment that supports effective communication and personal growth while allowing children to progress at their own pace. With the support of families, we are on a fantastic learning journey together, leading to a bright future for all our children.

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