Classes
A warm welcome to all of our classes.
Classes
Nursery 2-3 Years (Caterpillars)
We offer Nursery provision for children 2-3 yrs.
We offer both 15 and 30 hour spaces depending on eligibility on both a government and self funded basis. Please see link below if you would like to find out if you are eligible.
Find out about 15hrs Free Childcare for your 2 year old.
Find out about 30hrs Free Childcare for your 3 year old.
In the Nursery we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage and plan opportunities for both child led and adult led learning in these areas. We also use Class Dojo to keep you updated about your child and Nursery events.
Pre-School (Dragonflies)
Dragonfly Class is our Pre-School Class for children aged 3-4 years. Children attend part time in Dragonfly 1 (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning) and Dragonfly 2 (Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday). We also have children that attend all week for 30 hours (Dragonfly 3).
Staff that help us:
Dragonfly 1: Class Teacher – Mrs Filer
Support Assistant – Mr Craven
Support Assistant – Miss Vowles
Dragonfly 2: Class Teacher – Mrs Sheppard
Support Assistant – Mr Craven
Support Assistant – Miss Vowles
Please make sure your child has a water bottle, coat/rain jacket and they have a spare set of clothes to keep on their peg each day. This should consist of a top, bottoms, pants and socks. We encourage a spare pairs of wellies to be left at school as we spend lots of time outside! Please label all items with your child’s name to avoid items getting lost. We work hard to teach the children to become more independent with putting on shoes and welly boots – please help us with this by encouraging your child to do this at home.
Please make sure you are signed up to Class Dojo for day to day updates about all out exciting activities, and information about your child’s progress. If you have any questions or queries you can speak to us at drop off/pick up time or message us on Class Dojo.
Term 2:
This term our topic is ‘What is Winter?’ and ‘What is Christmas?’
During this time we will be focusing on noticing changes in our environment. As always, we will be spending lots of time outside! We will be thinking about what happens at Christmas and what traditions we have at home.
In Maths we will be exploring repeating patterns using colour and objects. We will be hearing and saying number names, focusing on saying them in order. We will be focusing on 1, 2, 3 and 4 where we will practise subitising, making amounts and recognising the numerals.
In English we will be focusing on the stories, ‘The Gingerbread Man’ and ‘Dear Santa’. As the term progresses we will begin learning some new Christmas songs ready to perform for our grown ups in December.
A warm waterproof coat is a must at this time of year so the children can continue enjoying lots of outdoor learning. Children are encouraged to wear hats and gloves too on cold days.
Reception (Grasshoppers and Bumblebees)
This area of our website is dedicated to supporting you to understand a little more about what life is like as a Reception child at Four Acres!
On this page you will find information about our reception curriculum, the topics we cover throughout the year, and how you can support your child at home.
Our aim is to develop happy, competent and confident learners to give them the best start in their school life.
We have two classes in reception:
- Bumblebee class
- Grasshopper class
Teachers in Reception
Bumblebees – Miss Apsey
Grasshoppers – Miss Barker
Support staff in Reception
Miss Budd, Mrs Genge, Mrs Lewis
Routine information
What will my child need to bring to school each day?
- A named water bottle
- A coat (in the winter)
- A sunhat (in the summer)
- Lunch box if having a packed lunch
What will my child need to be kept at school?
- Named spare clothes
- Named wellies
- Named PE kit
PE
We will be having weekly PE sessions which will be every Thursday morning. For these sessions the children will need a PE kit consisting of: a white t-shirt and black shorts or jogging bottoms. The children also need a pair of trainers or plimsolls.
How can I find out what my child is learning?
We use “Class dojo” which is a free app that you can download onto your phone or tablet. Each week you will receive a message to outline what your child is learning that week. There is also an option to message your child’s teacher.
Year 1 (Frogs and Robins)
Welcome to Frogs and Robins!
Frogs
Class Teacher: Mr Barradell
Teaching Assistant: Mrs Britton and Miss Haddow
Robins
Class Teacher: Mrs Howells
Teaching Assistant: Mrs Britton
General Information
We are two Year 1 classes. Our curriculum consists of reading, writing and mathematics (in the morning) and our foundation subjects (taught in the afternoons) some subjects such as Computing, Music and PE taught discretely.
Term 1: We are excited to start our new school year !
Reading and Phonics
In Frogs and Robins we understand reading is important to help our learning. We need to bring our book bags (with our reading records) every day. We expect children to read at home 5x a week. This can be their phonics reading books or any book from home, please make sure you sign your child’s reading record so we can add their name to the 5 times readers list (prizes can be won!).
We are offering reading clubs to further support children in the mornings, this is invite only and children who attend are still expected to read 5 times a week at home. We will be starting stay and read soon so please watch out for a date on Dojo. This is a chance for parents to come to the class at 2.45pm and stay and read with your child – ask your class teacher for more information.
We teach phonics through the Read Write Inc phonics program. Children are taught phonics and reading daily in groups. Children will receive 2 books each week to read at home daily when they are ready, please write a note in your child’s reading record when you do. More information about RWI can be found here: Useful Links | Four Acres Academy
PE
As athletes we ensure that our PE kits (white top, black bottoms and black trainers/daps) are in school each ready for the week. Frogs PE: Thursday, Robins PE: Wednesday
We also have PE specialists that teach Robins and Frogs twice a term. PE kits can be left in school for the term.
Forest School
We do use our Forest School as often as we can, your class teacher will notify you of when this will happen. Please can you leave wellie boots and outdoor clothing on your pegs for outside play as well as forest school.
How can I help my child at home?
Please read with your child at least 5 times a week. Practice being independent whilst getting dressed, doing up buttons, putting on jumpers and coats, putting shoes on the right feet, ask your child to help pack their school bag as this way they will know what is in it.
Maths
In Maths this term we will focus numbers and place value to 20 as well as beginning addition and subtraction. We will use a variety of methods including counting on, using our fingers, using number lines and part/whole models. We will also be practicing problem solving and giving reasons for our answers.
Here are some useful maths ideas and websites:
Place Value:
Practice writing numbers up to 100 – especially the trickier numbers above 10 !
Write numbers on pieces of paper and order from biggest to smallest
have a number hunt – what numbers can you find when you’re shopping, what is the biggest number, add 2 numbers together…
Place Value Basketball – Dienes Game for 5 to 8 Year Olds (topmarks.co.uk)
Play top marks Daily 10 (level 1)
Literacy
We will be using the talk 4 writing planning cycle. This develops children’s understanding of story composition while allowing them to create their own and learning the basics of grammar, spelling and punctuation. We begin by imitating a story: copying, reciting and adding acting, using puppets to tell. Then we innovate a story: changing key elements but keeping the structure the same, for example, changing the sounds Mr. Bear can hear in the story ‘Peace at Last’. Finally, we invent: create a new story, or part of a story based on the type of story we have learnt, for example, the story ‘Dogger’ by Shirley Hughes is a story about losing something, so we would invent a story opening about something lost.
Information about Talk4write: What is Talk for Writing? – Talk for Writing (talk4writing.com)
Our core books for this term:
Dogger, By Shirley Hughes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNOYgRf5jes
Our non-fiction for this term:
Poem writing
Continued Skill focus:
Writing sentences that the children can reread using capital letters, finger spaces and full stops.
Curriculum
In our curriculum lessons we are artists, engineers, historians and much much more !
Geography
We are looking at sustainability, climate and weather. Discussing the 7 Continents, the 5 Oceans and seasonal changes.
Science
In science this term we will learn to identify plants and structures; Plants, growth and requirements of life
Plants – KS1 Science – BBC Bitesize
Jigsaw
In jigsaw this term we will be talking about our families and friends.
DT
This term we will learn about where our fruit and vegetables come from and we will be making delicious smoothies.
Music
We use the program charanga to help us learn about different types of music.
Computing
In computing this term we will be learning to log in and use the mouse/key board.
Year 2 (Rabbits and Kingfishers)
Welcome to Year 2 and our classes Kingfishers and Rabbits.
Kingfishers
Class Teacher: Mrs Holden
Teaching Assistant: Mrs Croasdale
Rabbits
Class Teacher: Miss Thomas-Carter
Teaching Assistant: Miss Phillips
What to bring:
Bookbag including reading book and reading record
Water bottle
P.E. kit
School Jumper
General Information
Year 2 is made up of two classes, Kingfishers and Rabbits. We continue to foster a love of learning through a range of different activities and approaches. We have a whole class approach to teaching, with a strong emphasis on working with a partner. Our curriculum consists of reading, writing and mathematics and our foundation subjects are taught in line with The Futura Curriculum, some foundation subjects such as Computing, PE and Music are taught discretely or by specialists. When learning, we have high aspirations and expectations of ourselves. We enjoy being creative and imaginative in Year 2.
Reading
In Year 2 reading continues to be a priority to support all areas of our learning. Reading is taught in line with the Read Write Inc scheme. We need to bring our book bags (with our reading records) every day. We expect children to read at home 5 times a week and all children will read with an adult in school at least once a week.
P.E.
As athletes we ensure that our PE kits (white top, black bottoms and black trainers/daps) are in school each Monday ready for the week.
Break and Lunchtimes
All children across the school will be enjoying active playtimes. To best support your child, please ensure they bring a hat in and wear sun cream in when it is needed.
Year 3 (Foxes and Squirrels)
Welcome to Year 3 and our classes Foxes and Squirrels.
Foxes
Class Teacher: Miss Dawson
Teaching Assistant: Miss McKechnie
Squirrels
Class Teacher: Mrs Hutchings
Teaching Assistant: Mrs Jones and Miss Williams
What to bring daily:
Bookbag including reading book and reading record
Water bottle
Coat
P.E. kit
School Jumper
Wellies and a Raincoat – with the weather getting worse we want children to still be able to make use of all of our play spaces !
General Information
Year 3 is made up of two classes, Foxes and Squirrels. We continue to foster a love of learning through a range of different activities and approaches. We have a whole class approach to teaching, with a strong emphasis on working with a partner. Our curriculum consists of reading, writing and mathematics and our foundation subjects are taught following the Futura Trust Curriculum with some foundation subjects such as PSHE/Jigsaw, Spanish and RE taught discretely or by specialists. We keep all parents, carers and children up to date using our Class Dojo pages.
Break and Lunchtimes
All children across the school will be enjoying active playtimes. To best support your child, please ensure you send your child to school with uniform that is appropriate for the weather (e.g. coat, gloves, hat for the winter terms and a sun hat, sun cream, shorts for the summer terms). Children are allowed a snack for playtime. This should be as healthy as possible, and put in to the child’s drawer when they come to school.
Term 5 Curriculum
Year 4 (Otters and Woodpeckers)
Welcome to Year 4 and our classes Otters and Woodpeckers.
Otters:
Class Teachers: Miss Parker and Miss Metters
Teaching assistants: Miss Whittard
PE: Monday
Woodpeckers:
Class Teacher: Mr Xanh
Teaching assistant: Miss McInerney
PE: Thursday
General information:
Year 4 is made up of two classes, Otters and Woodpeckers. We ensure children build on their previous learning and are actively engaged in lessons. Our curriculum consists of reading, writing and mathematics in the morning. Our afternoons are made up of curriculum lessons; Jigsaw, RE, computing, science, history, geography, Spanish, DT and art.
When learning, we use the language ‘we are mathematicians’, ‘authors’ or other states of being and have high aspirations and expectations of ourselves. We enjoy a broad and balanced curriculum in year 4, with priority given to the understanding of age-related vocabulary.
Reading:
In year 4 we take responsibility for our learning and understand the importance of reading to support our learning in all other areas. We ensure that our reading records are in school every day and we are encouraged to read at home daily.
Maths:
Pupils will complete on online test at the end of year 4, linked solely to times tables. Learning our tables fluently will be a priority this year and we appreciate your support with practising these at home too.
PE:
As athletes we ensure that our PE kits (white top, black bottoms and black trainers/daps) are in school. They will be given home at the end of each term.
Home learning:
A large part of our home learning is reading and we also take home spelling words to practise each week. Times tables will be set on Times Tables Rockstars. Log in details can be found on the inside cover of your child’s Reading Record.
We keep all parents, carers and children up to date using our Class Dojo pages. Bromcom is our school paying app.
Year 5 (Owls and Hedgehogs)
Welcome to Year 5 and our classes Owls and Hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs
Class teacher: Miss Russell
TA: Miss Silcocks
Entrance door: Main playground
Exit door: Zone Park side door
PE: Tuesday afternoons
Owls
Class teacher: Miss Hardie
TA: Miss Scull
Entrance door: Main playground
Exit door: Zone Park side door
PE: Friday afternoon
General Information
Our curriculum consists of reading, writing and mathematics. Our foundation subjects are taught through ‘Curriculum’ with some foundation subjects such as Jigsaw, Spanish and RE taught discretely or by specialists. When learning we become mathematicians, authors, or other states of being and have high aspirations and expectations of ourselves within all areas of the curriculum
Reading
In year 5, we take responsibility for our own learning and understand the importance of reading to support our learning in all other areas. We ensure that our reading records are in school every day, and we are encouraged to read at home daily.
We love reading our class book and we enjoy our daily reading comprehension lessons
PE
As athletes, we ensure that our PE kits (white top, black bottoms and black trainers/daps) are in school each Monday ready for the week.
Swimming
Owls- term 4 and 5
Hedgehogs- term 5 and 6
Home learning
A large part of our home learning is reading and we also take home spelling words to practise each week. We complete other home learning online, using Class Dojo and Times Tables Rock Stars. Our login details are on the inside cover of our reading records.
We keep all parents and children up to date using our Class Dojo pages.
Year 6 (Falcons and Badgers)
Welcome to Year 6 and our classes Falcons and Badgers.
Badgers
Class Teachers: Mr Saunders and Mrs Beach
Teaching Assistant: Mrs Walker
Falcons
Class Teacher: Miss Rees
Teaching Assistant: Miss Newman
General Information
We are two Year 6 classes. Our curriculum consists of reading, writing and mathematics and our foundation subjects are taught through our Futura Curriculum with some foundation subjects such as Jigsaw, Spanish, PE and RE taught discretely or by specialists. When learning, we are mathematicians, authors or other states of being and have high aspirations and expectations of ourselves.
Reading
In Badgers and Falcons we take responsibility for our learning and understand the importance of reading to support our learning in all other areas. We ensure that our reading records are in school every day, we read daily and that our records are signed at least 3 times each week.
PE
As athletes, we ensure that our PE kits (white top, black bottoms and black trainers/daps) are in school each Monday ready for the week. Our PE days are:
Falcons- Tuesday
Badgers- Tuesday (swimming)
Swimming
Badgers will be swimming each Tuesday from 10th September- 19th November.
Falcons will be swimming from 26th November- 11th February.
Each class will have 10 weeks of swimming teaching. We bring in our swimming kit (towel and swimming costume or trunks) each week on our designated swimming day.
Homework
We will post homework weekly onto Class Dojo. Homework will include spellings, Times Tables Rock Stars and reading 5 times a week.
Pupil log in details are on the inside cover of their reading records. Later on in the year we will give out home packs to practise “exam style” questions to develop our independence and prepare them for SATS and secondary school.
Important Dates
Our SATs tests will take place between Monday 11th May to Friday 15th May 2026.
Please ensure your child is present for the duration of this week.
SCHOOL SNAPSHOT
FOUR ACRES ACADEMY
Where every child feels valued and supported to reach their full potential.
