Federation of Earlswood Schools
A Place to Learn Together
We offer Nursery Provision to Year 6
Weekly Blog
WB: 19.1.26
Volunteers needed
Each class is in need of some volunteers for our walking trip to Earlswood Lakes on Wednesday 11th February. If you can volunteer please approach your child's class teacher.
For STEM week we are looking for an expert in the transport field as our focus will be on travelling to Australia using various modes of transport. This can be a train driver, pilot, bus driver, engineer, cabin crew or someone with maritime connections.
Maths
We are continuing our topic of money this week. It would be great if this could be reinforced at home, playing shops or money related games.
This week we will be looking at:
- Recapping subtraction strategies
- Finding change
- Answering two step problems
Writing
This cycle we will be focusing on using description to write a quest story. Our model text is called 'Pirate Tom'. This week we will be looking at innovating the text. The children will be using the tools learnt this cycle to write about Pirate Tom heading on a different adventure.
Topic
Our topic this half term is 'Habitats'. We will be focusing on: living things and animals in Science, map making and reading skills in Geography and creating our own habitats in DT. We will need shoe boxes for our DT this half term, any donations will be greatly appreciated. We will also be looking at the artwork of Henry Matisse.
Reminders:
- All children need a pair of wellies in school to use during our woodlands sessions.
- Please continue to read every day with your child. There are questions at the back of their reading records which are useful to ask too.
WB: 12.1.26
Maths
We are continuing our topic of money this week. It would be great if this could be reinforced at home, playing shops or money related games.
This week we will be looking at:
- Recap of addition methods
- Making the same amount using different denominations
- Comparing amounts of money
- Calculating with money
- Making a pound out of various coins.
Writing
This cycle we will be focusing on using description to write a quest story. Our model text is called 'Pirate Tom'. This week we will be looking at:
- Using verbs and adverbs
- Looking at using all of the skills so far in a short burst
- Reading as a reader
- Use drama to act out an innovated version of our story.
Topic
Our topic this half term is 'Habitats'. We will be focusing on: living things and animals in Science, map making and reading skills in Geography and creating our own habitats in DT. We will need shoe boxes for our DT this half term, any donations will be greatly appreciated. We will also be looking at the artwork of Henry Matisse.
Reminders:
- All children need a pair of wellies in school to use during our woodlands sessions.
- Please continue to read every day with your child. There are questions at the back of their reading records which are useful to ask too.
WB: 5.1.26
Happy New Year!
Welcome to the Spring Term
Maths
We will be starting a new topic of Money for the first few weeks of this half term. It would be great if this could be reinforced at home, playing shops or money related games.
This first week we will be looking at:
- Counting money in pence
- Counting money in pounds
- Counting money in pence and pounds
- Choosing notes and coins to make an amount.
Writing
This cycle we will be focusing on using description to write a quest story. Our model text is called 'Pirate Tom'. This week we will be looking at:
- A hook to intrigue the children
- Using nouns and adjectives to add description
- How to use powerful verbs to impact our reader
Topic
Our topic this half term is 'Habitats'. We will be focusing on: living things and animals in Science, map making and reading skills in Geography and creating our own habitats in DT. We will need shoe boxes for our DT this half term, any donations will be greatly appreciated. We will also be looking at the artwork of Henry Matisse.
Reminders:
- All children need a pair of wellies in school to use during our woodlands sessions.
- Please continue to read every day with your child. There are questions at the back of their reading records which are useful to ask too.
WB: 15.12.25
Maths
We will be finishing our topic of 'shape'. We will be looking at:
- Sorting 2D and 3D shapes
- Counting faces on 3D shapes
- Counting edges on 3D shapes
- Counting vertices on 3D shapes
- Making patterns with shapes
Writing
This cycle we will be focusing on writing instructions using our model text 'How to trap a dragon' to help us. This week we will be writing our Hot Task - 'How to trap a grinch'. We will be writing these, editing and publishing them.
Topic
Our topic this half term is 'Colour'. We will be kick starting this learning with a visit from Trunk theatre, where we will learn about the Gunpowder Plot. We will also be creating some colourful art in Sculpture week using Anthony Caro as our inspiration. We will also be looking at Jadé Fadojutimi and her big art installations.
Reminders:
Please continue to read every day with your child. There are questions at the back of their reading records which are useful to ask too.
WB: 8.12.25
Maths
We will be continuing our topic of 'shape'. We will be looking at:
- Lines of symmetry in shapes
- Flexible partitioning recap
- Lines of symmetry to complete shapes
Writing
We will be beginning our new unit in writing. This cycle we will be focusing on writing instructions using our model text 'How to trap a dragon' to help us. This week we will be having lessons on the following:
- Using adjectives to describe ingredients needed for a recipe
- Short burst writing using all skills so far
- Boxing up our innovate - how to trap something else.
Topic:
Our topic this half term is 'Colour'. We will be kick starting this learning with a visit from Trunk theatre, where we will learn about the Gunpowder Plot. We will also be creating some colourful art in Sculpture week using Anthony Caro as our inspiration. We will also be looking at Jadé Fadojutimi and her big art installations.
Reminders:
Please continue to read every day with your child. There are questions at the back of their reading records which are useful to ask too.
WB: 1.12.25
Christmas Making Afternoon - Friday 5th
(Paper towel tube donations welcomed)
Nativity performances
Tuesday 2nd December
- MP and HB - performance starts at 2.15pm
- FH and DF - 6:30-7pm (please bring children at 6:15 so we are able to change into costumes)
Thursday 4th December
- FH and DF- performance starts at 2.15pm
- MP and HB - 6:30-7pm (please bring children at 6:15 so we are able to change into costumes)
Maths
This week we will rounding up our topic ‘ addition and subtraction’ focusing on:
- mixed addition and subtraction questions.
We will then begin our new topic of 'shape'. We will begin by looking at:
- Identifying 2D and 3D shapes
- Counting sides and vertices of a shape
- Draw 2D shapes
Writing
We will be beginning our new unit in writing. This cycle we will be focusing on writing instructions using our model text 'How to trap a dragon' to help us. This week we will be having lessons on the following:
- Hook
- Prepositions
- Conjunctions
- Adverbs to add precision
Topic:
Our topic this half term is 'Colour'. We will be kick starting this learning with a visit from Trunk theatre, where we will learn about the Gunpowder Plot. We will also be creating some colourful art in Sculpture week using Anthony Caro as our inspiration. We will also be looking at Jadé Fadojutimi and her big art installations.
Reminders:
Please continue to read every day with your child. There are questions at the back of their reading records which are useful to ask too.
WB: 24.11.25
INSET DAY: Monday 24th November
Maths
This week we will continuing our topic ‘ addition and subtraction’ focusing on:
- Recapping place value
- Comparing number sentences
- Missing number problems
Writing
Our model text will be based on the book ‘The Bear and the Piano’. This week we will be focusing on creating their own narrative using description. We will then work on editing and publishing this work.
Topic:
Our topic this half term is 'Colour'. We will be kick starting this learning with a visit from Trunk theatre, where we will learn about the Gunpowder Plot. We will also be creating some colourful art in Sculpture week using Anthony Caro as our inspiration. We will also be looking at Jadé Fadojutimi and her big art instillations.
Reminders:
Nativity lines have been sent home so please encourage children to practise these.
Costumes lists are below and at each class. Please check what your child needs and check with their class teacher if you are unsure. When a costume states that we will be providing a costume it is to go over the clothes we have asked to be supplied.
WB: 17.11.25
Own clothes day Wednesday 19th for a donation to the Christmas Fair. Year 2 have been asked to donate a Lucky Bag. Decorate the bag given out and fill with little toys or part bag-type treats (stickers, bouncy balls, wooden toys, pencils, crayons, colouring books etc).
Maths
This week we will continuing our topic ‘ addition and subtraction’ focusing on:
- Adding two 2-digit numbers across a 10.
- Subtracting two 2-digit numbers not across a 10
- Subtracting two 2-digit numbers across a 10
- Mixed addition and subtraction
Writing
Our model text will be based on the book ‘The Bear and the Piano’. This week we will be focusing on innovating the model text and writing our own. The children are going to be changing the character in their story.
Topic:
Our topic this half term is 'Colour'. We will be kick starting this learning with a visit from Trunk theatre, where we will learn about the Gunpowder Plot. We will also be creating some colourful art in Sculpture week using Anthony Caro as our inspiration. We will also be looking at Jadé Fadojutimi and her big art instillations.
Reminders:
Nativity lines have been sent home so please encourage children to practise these.
Costumes lists are below and at each class. Please check what your child needs and check with their class teacher if you are unsure. When a costume states that we will be providing a costume it is to go over the clothes we have asked to be supplied.
WB: 10.11.25
Flu vaccinations are on Wednesday 12th for any children that have been signed up.
Maths
This week we will continuing our topic ‘ addition and subtraction’ focusing on:
- 10 more, 10 less
- Adding and subtracting 10s
- Adding two 2-digit numbers not crossing a 10.
- Adding two 2-digit numbers crossing a 10.
Writing
Our model text will be based on the book ‘The Bear and the Piano’. This week we will be focusing on; adjectives, character description, short burst writing using all of the skills so far, orally innovating and looking and analysing the text as a reader.
Topic:
Our topic this half term is 'Colour'. We will be kick starting this learning with a visit from Trunk theatre, where we will learn about the Gunpowder Plot. We will also be creating some colourful art in Sculpture week using Anthony Caro as our inspiration. We will also be looking at Jadé Fadojutimi and her big art instillations.
Reminders:
Nativity lines have been sent home so please encourage children to practise these.
Costumes list are below
WB: 3.11.25
Welcome back to Autumn 2. Our topic this half term is Colour.
Maths:
We will be continuing our learning on Addition and Subtraction. Our learning will focus on:
Subtracting across a 10
Subtracting from a 10
Subtract a 1-digit from a 2-digit (across a 10)
10 more and 10 less
Writing:
Our model text will be based on the book 'The Bear and the Piano'. Our first week of writing we will be learning the model text whilst focusing on: adverbs, show not tell, rule of three and similes.
Topic:
Our topic this half term is 'Colour'. We will be kick starting this learning with a visit from Trunk theatre, where we will learn about the Gunpowder Plot. We will also be creating some colourful art in Sculpture week using Anthony Caro as our inspiration. We will also be looking at Jadé Fadojutimi and her big art instillations.
Reminders
Please could you ensure all children have the correct uniform this includes black trainers for PE.
Our PE days this half term are Wednesday and Thursday.
WB: 20.10.25
Maths:
This week in Maths we will be beginning our Place Value topic. Lessons will focus on:
Fluency – Exchanging using practical resources
Add across a 10
Subtract across a 10
Writing:
Our model text will be based on the book 'The Day the Crayons Quit'. This week children will be planning and writing their Hot Tasks where they will be putting their persuasive skills to use.
We will then finish the term with sentence structure activities and a 5-finger story.
Topic:
Our topic this half term is 'Material World'. During this topic we will be focusing on scientific experiments on different materials, making Reading Ted bags and thinking about materials around us.
Donations
We are in need of some felt to use for our Reading Ted bags. Any donations would be much appreciated.
General information
Reading books will be distributed this week. Please ensure children are reading each day. This should be recorded in their reading records. Comprehension style question prompts are in their reading records to aid book talk.
Reminders
Please could you ensure all children have the correct uniform this includes black trainers for PE.
Our PE days this half term are Wednesday and Thursday.
WB: 13.10.25
Maths:
This week in Maths we will be beginning our Place Value topic. Lessons will focus on:
Add and Subtract 1s
Add by making 10 first
Add three 1-digit numbers
Add to the next 10
Writing:
Our model text will be based on the book 'The Day the Crayons Quit'. We will recap our persuasion toolkit this week and lessons will focused on innovating the model text by changing the colour of the crayon and key language.
Topic:
Our topic this half term is 'Material World'. During this topic we will be focusing on scientific experiments on different materials, making Reading Ted bags and thinking about materials around us.
General information
Reading books will be distributed this week. Please ensure children are reading each day. This should be recorded in their reading records. Comprehension style question prompts are in their reading records to aid book talk.
Reminders
Please could you ensure all children have the correct uniform this includes black trainers for PE.
Our PE days this half term are Wednesday and Thursday.
WB 6.10.25
Feeling Good Week 6th-10 October
As part of our ongoing work to promote positive mental health, we are taking part in Feeling Good Week. Goslings, Ducklings and children in Year R-6 are invited to wear their own clothes on Monday 6th October to celebrate the start of this ‘feel good’ week.
Please can all children come in school uniform (not school uniform) on Wednesday (8th October) this week as we have our individual photos.
Maths:
This week in Maths we will be beginning our Place Value topic. Lessons will focus on:
- Partitioning numbers to 100
- Comparing numbers and objects
- Counting in 2s, 5s, 10s and 3s.
Writing:
Our model text will be based on the book 'The Day the Crayons Quit'. We will begin looking at our persuasion toolkit this week. Lessons will focus on;
- Using rhetorical questions to make the reader question
- Using adjectives to persuade
- Using three adjectives in a sentence (rule of 3)
- Using commands
Topic:
Our topic this half term is 'Material World'. During this topic we will be focusing on scientific experiments on different materials, making Reading Ted bags and thinking about materials around us.
Donations
We are in need of some felt to use for our Reading Ted bags. Any donations would be much appreciated.
General information
Reading books will be distributed this week. Please ensure children are reading each day. This should be recorded in their reading records. Comprehension style question prompts are in their reading records to aid book talk.
Reminders
Please could you ensure all children have the correct uniform this includes black trainers for PE.
Week Beginning 29.9.25
Maths: This week in Maths we will be beginning our Place Value topic. Lessons will focus on:
- Partitioning numbers to 100
- Comparing numbers and objects
- Counting in 2s, 5s, 10s and 3s.
Writing: We will be finishing our first cycle on Monday where the children will be writing their a magical journey story based in their own setting. We will then begin our next cycle of writing - persuasive writing. Our model text will be based on the book 'The Day the Crayons Quit'. To start this with learning, the children will focus on the model text and on punctuating sentences correctly. We will then introduce the '!' and when to use this to help persuade.
Topic: Our topic this half term is 'Material World'. During this topic we will be focusing on scientific experiments on different materials, making Reading Ted bags and thinking about materials around us.
Donations
We are in need of some felt to use for our Reading Ted bags. Any donations would be much appreciated.
General information
- Reading books will be distributed this week. Please ensure children are reading each day. This should be recorded in their reading records. Comprehension style question prompts are in their reading records to aid book talk.
Reminders
- Please could you ensure all children have the correct uniform this includes black trainers for PE.
- Our PE days this half term are Wednesday and Thursday.
Week Beginning 22.9.25
Maths: This week in Maths we will be beginning our Place Value topic. Lessons will focus on:
- Number bonds to 10 recap
- 10s and 1s on a number line to 100
- Estimate numbers on a number line
- Compare objects.
Writing: Our first cycle will be looking at the text 'Magic Paintbrush'. We will be focusing on describing settings. This week our lessons will be focused on innovating the model text using London as our setting.
Topic: Our topic this half term is 'Material World'. During this topic we will be focusing on scientific experiments on different materials, making Reading Ted bags and thinking about materials around us.
Donations
We are in need of some felt to use for our Reading Ted bags. Any donations would be much appreciated.
General information
- Reading books will be distributed this week. Please ensure children are reading each day. This should be recorded in their reading records. Comprehension style question prompts are in their reading records to aid book talk.
Reminders
- Please could you ensure all children have the correct uniform this includes black trainers for PE.
- Our PE days this half term are Wednesday and Thursday.
Week Beginning 15.9.25
Maths: This week in Maths we will be beginning our Place Value topic. Lessons will focus on:
- Write numbers to 100 in words
- Partition numbers to 100 (tens and ones)
- Flexibly partition numbers to 100
- Write numbers to 100 - expanded form
- 10s on the number line to 100.
Writing: Our first cycle will be looking at the text 'Magic Paintbrush'. We will be focusing on describing settings. This week our lessons will be: using our adjectives, verbs and prepositions to write a paragraph and finding our skills in the model text. We will then be using what we have learnt to innovate our model text.
Topic: Our topic this half term is 'Material World'. During this topic we will be focusing on scientific experiments on different materials, making Reading Ted bags and thinking about materials around us.
General information
- Reading books will be distributed this week. Please ensure children are reading each day. This should be recorded in their reading records. Comprehension style question prompts are in their reading records to aid book talk.
Reminders
- Please could you ensure all children have the correct uniform this includes black trainers for PE.
- Our PE days this half term are Wednesday and Thursday.
Week Beginning 8.9.25
Maths: This week in Maths we will be beginning our Place Value topic. Lessons will focus on:
- Numbers to 20
- Counting objects to 100, making 10s
- Recognising tens and ones
- Using a Place Value Chart
- Partition number to 100
Writing: Our first cycle will be looking at the text 'Magic Paintbrush'. We will be focusing on describing settings. This week our lessons will be centred around using our senses, adjectives, similes and finishing the week by combining these in a short burst.
Topic: Our topic this half term is 'Material World'. During this topic we will be focusing on scientific experiments on different materials, making Reading Ted bags and thinking about materials around us.
General information
- Reading books will be distributed this week. Please ensure children are reading each day. This should be recorded in their reading records. Comprehension style question prompts are in their reading records to aid book talk.
Reminders
- Please could you ensure all children have the correct uniform this includes black trainers for PE.
- Our PE days this half term are Wednesday and Thursday.