Our Year Groups pages are designed to help parents and carers stay connected with what their children are learning throughout the year. Each page contains key information about the curriculum for that year group, outlining the main focus areas pupils will be exploring across different subjects.
You’ll also find top tips and useful website links to help support learning at home — from practising key skills to exploring subjects in fun and engaging ways outside of school.
For regular updates, photos, and class news, please remember to check Class Dojo, where teachers share weekly highlights, reminders, and extra information about learning and events.
These pages are a great way to see what your child is learning, celebrate their progress, and discover how you can continue supporting their journey both in and beyond the classroom.
Welcome to Reception
At GCA, Reception is a warm, vibrant, open‐plan learning space where children flourish through discovery and play. In Reception, children are grouped into two classes — Pine and Palm — but both classes share and benefit from the same unified environment, giving them freedom to move, explore, and learn together.
In Reception, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, which sets the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five. We provide a broad, balanced curriculum that supports every child’s progress across all seven areas of learning, helping them to grow into confident, independent learners.
Children learn through a combination of adult-led teaching and child-initiated play. Our staff carefully plan activities and experiences that build on the children’s interests while developing key skills in communication, language, literacy, maths and personal, social and emotional development.
Our open-plan Reception space allows children from both classes to learn and play together. Areas are thoughtfully set up to promote creativity, curiosity and collaboration — from construction and role play to art, writing and investigation. Children also spend lots of time learning outdoors, whatever the weather, developing confidence, physical skills and a love of nature.
We value the strong partnerships we build with families. Parents are regularly informed about their child’s learning and progress through Class Dojo, school newsletters and informal conversations. We also welcome parent involvement in school life, whether through reading with children, joining special events or supporting home learning.
Our aim in Reception is to ensure every child feels happy, secure and excited to learn. By the end of the year, children are well-prepared for the next stage of their education — ready to move into Key Stage 1 with confidence and enthusiasm.
| Palm | Pine |
|---|---|
| Miss Turner | Mrs Bakker (Mon-Tues)
Mrs Handley (Wed-Fri) |
| Mrs Bevan, Miss Ruff, Mrs Qureshi, Mrs Raven, Mrs Oxenbould | |
Welcome to Year 1
Year 1 marks an exciting new stage in your child’s learning journey as they begin the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1. At this stage, children build on the strong foundations laid in Reception, continuing to develop confidence, independence and a love of learning.
In Year 1, we take great care to make the transition from the Early Years Foundation Stage smooth and positive. Children continue to learn through a balance of adult-led teaching and child-initiated play, supported by a continuous provision approach. This ensures that learning remains active, engaging and appropriately challenging for every child.
Staff plan carefully to meet the needs of all learners, combining structured lessons in core subjects such as English and maths with rich opportunities for exploration, creativity and problem-solving across the wider curriculum.
Year 1 is made up of two separate classrooms, each designed to provide a calm and purposeful atmosphere for learning. The classes share a joint outdoor area, which allows children to move freely between indoor and outdoor activities — developing curiosity, collaboration and independence.
Our learning spaces are thoughtfully resourced to encourage investigation, imagination and hands-on learning. Children continue to learn through meaningful play, as well as through focused group and whole-class teaching.
We recognise that children in Year 1 develop at different rates and that some may still benefit from aspects of the Early Years approach for part of the year. Our experienced staff ensure that every child feels supported and challenged at the right level, helping them to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
By the end of Year 1, children have gained greater confidence as readers, writers and mathematicians and have developed the skills and curiosity they need to continue their learning journey through Key Stage 1.
| Juniper Class | Cherry Class |
|---|---|
| Mrs Harper | Miss James |
| Miss King, Mrs Sawyer | |
Welcome to Year 2
Year 2 is the final year of Key Stage 1, and an important step in your child’s primary school journey. Our two Year 2 classes — Maple and Magnolia — provide a caring, stimulating environment where children continue to build confidence, independence and a love of learning, while preparing for the transition into Key Stage 2.
By Year 2, children are ready for a more structured approach to their learning. The school day and classroom routines reflect this growing maturity, helping children to focus, concentrate and take pride in their work. Teaching is lively and engaging, with a mix of whole-class, group and independent activities designed to stretch and support every learner.
Children complete the Key Stage 1 National Curriculum, developing secure knowledge and skills in English, mathematics, science and a broad range of foundation subjects. There is also a strong focus on building resilience, problem-solving skills and self-confidence.
Year 2 classrooms are organised to support focused, purposeful learning. Children move between carpet spaces for shared teaching and discussion, and table spaces for independent and small-group work. Displays celebrate children’s achievements and support their learning, encouraging pride and ownership of their classroom environment.
Although learning becomes more formal, children still have opportunities to explore the wider school grounds, taking their learning outdoors whenever possible. This helps to maintain curiosity, creativity and enjoyment in learning.
A key part of Year 2 is preparing children for the move into Year 3 and Key Stage 2. Staff work closely with pupils to develop the independence, organisation and confidence they will need in the next stage of their education. Through careful transition activities and positive encouragement, children finish Year 2 ready and excited for the challenges ahead.
| Magnolia | Maple |
|---|---|
| Miss Spencer | Miss Barradell |
| Mrs Lunn, Miss Green, Miss Hancock | |
Autumn One Curriculum Overview Y2
Welcome to Year 3
Year 3 marks the beginning of Key Stage 2 — an exciting new chapter in your child’s learning journey. Our two Year 3 classes, Elm and Sycamore, provide a supportive and stimulating environment where children are encouraged to become more independent, confident and responsible learners.
In Year 3, children build on the strong foundations from Key Stage 1 while beginning to work in a more mature and reflective way. Lessons are designed to challenge and inspire, developing deeper understanding across all areas of the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum.
Children are encouraged to take greater ownership of their learning, showing curiosity, perseverance and pride in their achievements. They begin to take on increased responsibilities across the school, becoming role models for younger pupils and contributing to the life of our school community.
The Year 3 curriculum provides rich and varied learning opportunities across English, mathematics, science, history, geography, art, design and technology, computing and world views. Children are also introduced to Spanish as their primary language, developing early skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Children are taught by a wider range of staff, including Mr Greenwood, our specialist music teacher, and a team of sports coaches who support teachers in delivering high-quality lessons in gymnastics, dance, outdoor PE and swimming.
Year 3 classrooms are calm, purposeful spaces where children are encouraged to work both independently and collaboratively. Teachers support pupils in developing strong study habits, problem-solving skills and resilience. Learning also continues beyond the classroom, with opportunities to explore the school grounds and take part in enrichment activities that bring the curriculum to life.
By the end of Year 3, children have developed a greater sense of responsibility and self-belief. They are ready to take on new challenges, equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence to continue their journey through Key Stage 2.
| Elm | Sycamore |
|---|---|
| Mrs Erwood | Mrs Soulsby |
| Mrs Gardner, Miss Hancock, Miss McGee | |
Welcome to Year 4
In Ash and Beech classes, we are becoming more confident and independent every day. We work well together in teams and enjoy showing this in our various projects. We are thoughtful and kind and are looking forward to a brilliant year. Our achievements and exciting events will be shared with you here.
| Ash | Beech |
|---|---|
| Miss Turner | Miss Barradell |
Please find below useful information and guidance for parents/carers of Year Four children.
Information for parents. Multiplication tables check
Autumn One Curriculum Overview Y4
elcome to Year 5
In Year 5, we want to be the best version of ourselves. We have high expectations and work hard to achieve them. We love working outside and being active. Most of all, we have fun and enjoy our learning.
| Holly | Poplar |
|---|---|
| Mrs Bright | Mrs Soulsby |
Welcome to year 6
This is an especially important time for your children as it is their final year of primary education. The year 6 team will be working tirelessly to help ensure your children reach their full academic potential as this will help them enormously when reaching secondary school. Additionally, we will be striving to make learning as engaging as possible – this might include theme days, trips, visitors and other extracurricular activities. Furthermore, we will be making significant use of Class Dojo and this website to keep you updated about your child’s achievements, their behaviour and as a means of communication between us and yourselves.
| Oak | Willow |
|---|---|
| Mrs Bright (Mon-Thur)/Ms Pauley (Fri) | Ms Chelland |
| Mr Gibbs, Mrs Pegram, Mrs Mourton | |