Willow 2025 - 2026

🌿 Welcome Back to Willow Class! 🌿

We hope you’ve all had a wonderful summer break and are as excited as we are to begin a brand-new school year! This Autumn term is going to be packed full of adventure, discovery, and hands-on learning.

This term, we’ll be diving into two exciting themes: The Vikings and Spain.

The Vikings - We’ll travel back in time to discover who the Vikings were, where they came from, and how they travelled in their mighty longships. We’ll learn about their daily life, food, homes, and even the battles they fought. In Art, we’ll design and decorate our own Viking shields, while in Music we’ll explore rhythms and songs inspired by their culture.

Spain - Later in the term, we’ll explore Spanish traditions, food, festivals, music and geography. We’ll learn a little Spanish vocabulary, try out some creative art inspired by Spanish artists, and find out what makes this country so vibrant and unique.

Our English lessons will be filled with captivating tales and imaginative storytelling. We’ll bring characters to life through role play, share ideas in group discussions, and develop our reading and writing skills in fun, creative ways. Children will have opportunities to build confidence in speaking, listening, and expressing themselves, while exploring stories linked to our topics.

In Maths this term, we’ll focus on:

• Place value
• Addition and subtraction
• Properties of shape
• Time

We’ll be using hands-on, multi-sensory activities to explore, investigate, and problem-solve - making learning both practical and fun. Every child will also be working towards their own individual targets, helping them to build confidence and independence.

Our PSHE focus this term is Self-Awareness. We’ll explore kindness, how to recognise unkind behaviours, and how to be a great friend. We’ll also be practising teamwork skills - learning to play and work together happily and respectfully.

PE will take place on Monday afternoons. This half-term, we’ll be developing key skills for simple invasion and target games. We’ll also be encouraging children to build their independence when changing into and out of PE kits. Please make sure your child has a full kit in school each week.

To help your child feel comfortable and prepared each day, please provide:

• A set of spare clothes and a waterproof coat/wellies (to keep in school).
• A water bottle (which can remain in school) or a drink every day.
• Snacks and/or a packed lunch (or ensure a school lunch has been ordered).

I’ll continue to keep you updated on your child’s learning and progress via email. Please share with us any important information that might help us support your child, as well as special achievements or moments from home—we love to celebrate them together!

We are so excited for a fun-filled Autumn term in Willow Class. Thank you, as always, for your support—we know this year is going to be brilliant.

Warm regards,

Kelly and the Class Team