Welcome to the Ash Class page. We are a class made up of Reception, Year 1 and 2 children. Miss Chhibber is our class teacher. We are also supported by Mrs Taylor, Mrs Rose and Mrs Hartness.

Summer Term 2026

Weekly Update – WB 20.04.26

Our English lessons this week have focused on retelling 'The Lonely Beast' usingg story maps before writing a diary entry in role. We have started to brainstorm interesting adjectives and verbs to describe the jellyfish in the book in preparation for poetry writing next week. Our Maths learning has covered different ways to divide. We spoke about what a remainder is and how this is a clue that our answer is incorrect in KS1 if we have something 'left over.'

In Topic, we used a timeline to develop our chronology skills of inventions and matched the inventions to a question/problem. We understand now that inventions are made to solve a problem or to make life better. In PE, we continued to work on our passing and catching skills with a rugby ball. YR2 have revisited the parts of a flowering plant and what their roles are, while R/YR1 have started to look at animal groups. The children also enjoyed a dental visit this week to remind us about the importance of looking after our teeth. 

Weekly Update - WB 13.04.26

What a lovely first week back! In English, we have been looking at the story ’The Lonely Beast’ by Chris Judge. We have been predicting what we think the story will be about, creating a character description and lots of drama! In Maths, we have been looking at doubling and halving and understanding the relationship with the 2 times table.

We have started lots of our new units of work this week including our History topic: Ingenious Inventions. In Computing, we created pictograms and a tally. In Music, we enjoyed our first lesson on 'The Power of Communication'. Our new PE unit is tag rugby so we will be outside on the field. We also enjoyed outdoor learning this afternoon - some of us made butterfly feeders while the others recreated famous landmarks using the CAP resources.

Spring Term 2026

Weekly Update - WB: 16.03.26

As part of Sign Language Week, Ash started the week by learning how to sign their names using finger spelling. We then loved learning how to sign along to part of 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' using an MC Grammar version of the tale. We continued on the Michael Rosen theme in English as we explored three of his pieces of writing. We wrote new verses to WGOABH using the same format, recited 'Don't' using actions, and wrote new lines of alliteration for his alphabet poem. Reception also joined in with these lessons, which was a lovely experience! In Maths, we've revised key concepts from assessment week before looking at multiplying by 0, 1 and 2. On Monday afternoon, Oak Class joined us to complete some Easter activities at the church with Jo. We've continued our DT unit looking at different bridge structures. The children sketched their ideas before bringing them to life using junk modelling resources. We had an amazing time at Mountfitchet Castle on Thursday and discussed why we thought Mountfitchet was a good or poor location for a castle based on the human and physical geographical features we spotted. Finally, we ended the week with another fab gymnastics session with Mrs O and outdoor learning.  

Weekly Update - WB 09.03.26

This week has been assessment week. We have completed assessments in Maths, Reading, SPAG and Phonics. The children worked hard in their assessments and should be proud of themselves! This is especially true for Year 1 who sat their first NFER tests. As it was British Science Week, we weaved our science activities around our assessments. We've conducted investigations and experiments using the working scientifically skills to find out answers such as 'Does toast always land butter side down?', 'What makes great teamwork?' and 'What makes the best hanky?' In our tuff tray, we enjoyed exploring non-Newtonian fluids using cornflour, cocoa powder and water. We had a lovely assembly on Thursday where we learned about working in Antarctica. On Friday, the children shared their science projects. It was lovely to see the various scientific areas of curiosity. We also applied our STEM skills to our DT lessons, exploring different types of bridges. In RE, we revisited the story of Easter in preparation for our Easter experience on Monday.

Weekly Update - WB 02.03.26

This week, Reception continued their provision based on Chinese New Year and the transition into springtime. In English, we have finished our instructions for putting the magic finger on someone. The children worked really hard to use time adverbials, imperative verbs, connectives and give additional detail. In Maths, our focus has been on making arrays and equal groups of ___. For World Book Day, we were lucky enough to draw along with the illustrator Fiona Lumbers. She spoke about the book she had illustrated called 'Luna Loves World Book Day', and also showed us how we could draw one of the characters. In PE, we used the apparatus for the first time in our gymnastics session!

Weekly Update - WB 21.02.26

This week, Reception have explored our new provision topic linked to Chinese New Year. They have listened to the story of The Great Race, written their names in Chinese and enjoyed playing in the Chinese restaurant. In English, Year 1 and 2 have started to learn more about instructions based on 'The Magic Finger'. We read the first section of the book where the narrator explains how her magic finger has caused trouble before, and her encounter with the Gregg family. We have looked at key features of instructions in preparation for writing next week. In Maths, we have started our unit on multiplication and division, looking closely at equal groups. In Science, Year 2 made boats based on the materials we tested before half-term while R and YR1 found out more about the life cycle of plants. In Topic, the children found out more about the Magna Carta and how this changed society in England. In Music, we composed our own pieces using the notes C and D on the glockenspiels and we used our repeating patterns to make prints onto fabric in Art. We look forward to seeing any science homework next week in preparation for BSW!

Weekly Update - WB: 09.02.26

This week, Reception have continued exploring our provision topic of pirates. We've looked at the book 'Pirates Love Underpants', made treasure maps and enjoyed some role play too. In English, Year 1 and 2 have finished writing their persuasive letter to the Rain God, explaining why the rain is needed for Lila. Reception have been using the mighty writer board to develop their story telling and making valentines cards to loved ones. In Maths, YR1 and 2 have been subtracting across 10. We have been using drawing tens and ones and exchanging a ten into ones to help us with this. For Safer Internet Day, we explored how to stay safe online and what we use AI/technology for. We also put our football skills to the test in our final lesson for this unit. We played some team games focusing on dribbling, aiming and kicking skills, ensuring that we showed support for our peers and a growth mindset. 

Weekly Update - WB: 02.02.26

Our English this week has focused on persuasive writing. We have learnt more about the features of persuasive writing, planned and started to write a persuasive letter in character as Lila. In Maths, we have used place value charts to add digits crossing 10. We have visited the 'swap shop' as we know that 10 ones must be swapped for a ten. We had a visit from 'Mrs Shopkeeper', who looked suspiciously like Miss Chhibber, who helped the children to understand that they couldn't have more than 9 ones. 

In Art, we continued our work on repeated patterns, starting to build up towards our final project. In Music, we continued to use the glockenspiels to create music following along with Charanga. In Science, Reception and YR1 explored how seeds disperse and made dandelion seeds to show this. Reception also enjoyed their first week in our new 'Pirates' topic, making treasure using playdough, sorting words into real or fake treasure chests and exploring in the sand tray.

Weekly Update - WB: 26.01.26

We have started a new text called 'Lila and the Secret Rain' in English. We have focused on reasons why the rain is important before using drama to work on our speech and thought bubbles. In Maths, we have continued our addition and subtraction work by focusing on partitioning questions to make them more manageable. We have again used our number bonds knowledge to do this. In Exciting Writing, we wrote a non-chronological report about an animal of our choice such as kittens, snakes and sloths. Reception have had lots of fun engaging in messy play linked to Goldilocks and the Three Bears. In Science, YR2 and 3 went on a nature walk to look at the uses for different materials in our local area. We then thought about why those materials are suited to the outdoors. Reception and YR1 looked closer at different types of seeds. We continued to enjoy 'I Wanna Play in a Band' as our music unit and worked on our dribbling skills in PE.

Weekly Update - WB: 19.01.26

In English this week, we have looked at folk tales. We spoke about what makes a good storyteller and put these skills to the test by retelling the folk tale 'Baba Yaga and the Black Geese'. In Maths, we worked on adding two single digit numbers that crossed ten in a variety of ways such as filling a tens frame and partitioning to find a number bond to ten. We also looked at adding three single-digit numbers, using our number bonds to 10 to make easier connection. In Topic, we learnt more about the different roles in a castle and finished our lesson on hierarchy. We continued our printing work in Art and thought about our prior knowledge of money in PSHE. In Computing, we used ScratchJr to follow simple codes and use blocks to make our sprites move. For outdoor learning this week, we joined the rest of the school in some birdwatching activities.  

Weekly Update - WB: 12.01.26

In English this week, we have continued to look at the story ‘The Knight Who Wouldn't Fight’. We planned and wrote our own version of the story where Leo found a different character and had to help them in a different way. Reception have used their phonics knowledge to create captions for pictures independently. In Maths, we have focused on adding three single digits, using our knowledge of number bonds to 10 to help us. We have tried to speed up our recall of these facts without having to count each time. In Maths, Reception have thought about 'how many' objects there are, and using this to make amounts. They have also recapped the order of the first 5 numbers, exploring how each number is one more than the other. In Science, Reception and YR1 looked at different types of plants as a starting point for their new topic while YR2 thought about the properties of materials. In Topic, we learnt about the jobs in a castle and the hierarchy of these. We found out more about the features of a church in RE, and started our new Art unit about patterns. Reception also developed their gross motor skills by delivering 'parcels' to the right colour houses and playing a game of musical statues on the bikes.

Weekly Update - WB: 05.01.26

What a wonderful first week back! In English, we have started to look at the story ‘The Knight Who Wouldn't Fight’. We predicted what would happen in the story, described the main character Leo and used inverted commas to show the characters' speech. Reception also did some guided writing on the story, drawing Leo and writing captions about how he was feeling before reordering pictures of the story. In Maths, Reception have recapped subitising numbers to 5. We also enjoyed threading beads to show how to partition 10. YR1/2 have been focusing on identifying tens and ones, using related fact families to help them solve sums, working out 1 more and one less, and bridging to the next 10 to work out trickier sums. 

This week, we have started our new topic 'Castles'. We learnt more about the features of a castle and the history of kings and queens in England. We have also shared our existing knowledge about materials or plants for our Science units. During Culture and Diversity Day, we learnt how to say 'hello' in different languages, created identity shield drawings to represent us, listened to some stories about different families, and enjoyed learning dances from different cultures. We've also enjoyed creating peg board patterns as our morning task to develop our fine motor skills. Well done for the first week back!

WC 15.12.25

What a wonderful last week we’ve had together! In English, we finished our unit on poetry by creating a descriptive poem about the dark. We completed our topic on Great Great Britain by comparing rich and poor Victorian holidays, and in Science, Year 1 researched whether there are any flowers that grow in all seasons.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

WC 08.12.25

In Maths, we have worked on recognising 3D shapes and their properties. Year 2 have also been finding the line of symmetry on 2D shapes. In English, we have been looking at poetry. We have focused on alternative versions of the familiar poem 'Hickory Dickory Dock' and even had a go at making our own versions!

In Topic, we learnt about how trains impacted Victorian holidays and leisure time, in DT we made our fruit salads and in Science Rec/Yr1 conducted an experiment to see which material is the most absorbent.

WC 01.12.25

In Maths, the whole of Ash class have worked together to recognise 2D shapes and their properties this week. Reception and Year 1 have focused on recognising the shapes and counting their corners/sides whilst Year 2 have been identifying shapes in different orientations. In English we have planned, written and posted a letter to Father Christmas using adjectives and conjunctions to describe our Nativity and our role. We can't wait to see whether he has written back to us on Monday! 

Of course, the highlight of our week have been our Nativity performances. We absolutely loved getting to show so many of our grown ups something we have worked so hard on. We are super proud of ourselves and hope you all enjoyed watching it as much as we did performing to you all!

WC 24.11.25

In Maths, we have been looking at more and less to compare numbers with the same number of tens. Reception have been representing quantities to 10 and practising counting accurately with 1:1 correspondence. In English, we have been looking at the features of postcards and comparing them to letters.

Our week has also consisted of meeting lots of visitors for careers week, where we have focused on careers using technology. In DT, we chose the fruits we will include in our fruit salad and thought about how we will prepare them. 

WC 17.11.25

This week has been assessment week, and the children have worked really hard to show off everything they have been learning. Reception have continued learning about parts of a whole in Maths, focusing on numbers 3, 4 and 5.

In Science, Rec/Yr1 continued working on the enquiry skill 'pattern seeking' and will be recording the direction of the wind every week to see if they can spot any patterns using our homemade wind vane. In DT we learnt how to use a knife safely and appropriately to prepare fruit for our fruit salads.

WC 10.11.25

This week in Maths, we have been partitioning numbers flexibly. Reception have been learning how recognise parts of a whole, whether this be in numbers, body parts or animals. In English, we have identified different types of post, identified the features of a formal letter and written a short informal letter to someone we know.

In Science, Rec/Yr1 continued working on the enquiry skill 'observing over time' by noting down any changes with our chosen oak tree, but also moved onto the enquiry skill 'identifying, classifying and grouping' by sorting leaves according to their features. In PSHE, we discussed ground rules and in DT, we explored the colour, taste and texture of a variety of fruits.

WC 3.11.25

This week in Maths, we have been learning about place value to 100 by looking at the structure of numbers (tens and ones) and noticing patterns when counting in tens. Reception have been continuing to build their confidence to subitise 4 and compare quantities. In English, we have moved onto a new text (The Jolly Postman) and have been using conjunctions to extend our sentences about the story and exploring the features of a letter. 

In Science, Rec/Yr1 are working on the enquiry skill 'observing over time' and will be recording data over the next few weeks to discover how an oak tree changes. In RE, we continued exploring religious stories by reading 'Moses and the burning bush' from the Torah and discussing its moral. In DT, we started exploring the texture of some fruits and in Outdoor Learning we created autumn wreaths.

WC 20.10.25

This week in Maths, we have been looking at fact families with addition and subtraction, finding the difference and finding the missing number. In English, we have been looking at rhyming, syllables and developing our comprehension skills by looking at the 'oi dog' book series. Reception have been looking at representations of 5 and practising counting with 1:1 correspondence.

In Science, Rec/Yr1 carried out their experiment to find the best materials for Incy Wincy's umbrella and in Yr2, they explored the different food groups, their purpose and how to keep healthy. In Computing, we looked at using different tools on a painting app and in Outdoor Learning we created rangoli patterns using natural materials.

WC 06.10.25

This week in Maths, we have been looking at doubles, near doubles and adding three single digit numbers. In English, we have finished writing the middle and end of our stories using adjectives, conjunctions and speech. Reception have been comparing sets of objects using more than and less than in Maths and have learnt many new sounds and a tricky word in Phonics.

In Science, Rec/Yr1 planned an experiment to test the best material for Incy Wincy's umbrella and Yr2 conducted an experiment to determine the impact exercise had on their heart rate. In RE, we listened to a story from the holy book, The Qur'an, and discussed the moral of the story. In Topic, we found out about the nation Scotland and in Music we practiced listening to and repeating back rhythms.

WC 06.10.25

This week in Maths, we have been improving our fluency of number bonds to 10 and 20, using part whole models and adding. In English, we have planned and started writing our own version of the story 'Where the Wild Things are'. Reception have continued building their confidence with subitising up to 3 and are beginning to use language to describe patterns of 4.

In Art, we looked at the artist David Hepher and tried drawing in perspective. In Computing, we explored what technology is and, in Science, R/Yr1 sorted materials according to their properties and Yr2 planned an experiment to measure the impact of exercise on their heart rate. For World Mental Health Day, the children also shared an item from home which helps them feel happy, calm or safe, and they had some wonderful things to share.

WC 29.09.25

This week in English, we have been learning how to use coordinating conjunctions 'and', 'or' and 'but' along with the subordinating conjunction 'because' in our writing. In Maths, we have estimated numbers on a number line, and explored how to compare numbers using more than, less than and equal to using vocabulary and symbols.

In Art, we explored tone and shade, in RE we explored which values were being taught in the story of 'The Good Samaritan' from the Bible and in Topic we researched 4 cities within our nation. Reception have also been doing lots of Busy Learning based around their new phonics sounds, including writing in sand and spotting objects that begin with them.

WC 22.09.25

This week we have been using everything we have learnt about sentence structure to write a character and setting description in English. In Maths, Yr1/2 have been consolidating their understanding of one more, one less and how to partition numbers into tens and ones. Reception have been exploring the number 5 and practicing counting sounds and actions.

In Art, we created cityscapes with pastels inspired by Monet and in PSHE we came up with a list of our responsibilities for school. Reception have also been using their senses to detect familiar smells and sounds.

WC 15.09.25

This week we have been focusing on sentence structure in English, with the use of nouns, pronouns and adjectives/expanded noun phrases. In Maths, Yr1/2 have explored the composition of numbers up to 10, including odds and evens and partitioning and tens and ones. Reception have been learning how to subitise up to 3.

In Science, Yr1 have been identifying objects and their materials and Yr2 have been exploring the lifecycle of a duck. In Exciting Writing, we wrote a description of an animal, in Art we learnt about composition and colour and in RE we explored the difference between ordinary books and holy books.

WC 08.09.25

A super busy first full week together! In Maths, Yr1/2 have been exploring part-whole models, counting with accuracy and representing numbers in different ways. Reception have been finding matching pairs and sorting objects according to their characteristics. In English, we have learnt about being and action verbs. In Science, R/Yr1 have been sorting objects by their materials and Yr2 have been looking at different types of animals, their characteristics and matching the young to the adult animal.

In PE, we are doing orienteering, so we played some games focusing on teamwork, cooperation and communication, in Outdoor Learning we created our own Stickman and in Art we created some wonderful collages of our local landscape using nature.

WC 01.09.25

It's been wonderful to welcome the children back and see how much they've grown over the summer! We've had a busy few days where we have mainly focused on PSHE. We've considered what we want our classroom to look like this year, discussed how we're going to continue being bucket fillers and looked at the Colour Monster to prompt discussion around our emotions. In English, Year 1 and 2 have also been learning/recapping what common and proper nouns are.