Supporting the transition from Reception to Year 1 - Research Seminars

In Autumn 2020, the Greater Manchester (GM) School Readiness programme ran a series of research-focused seminars aimed at supporting primary school head teachers and school leaders. The sessions reflected on the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on shortening the EYFS offer for pupils and the different approaches that can support a positive return to learning in Year 1.

Each of the sessions was recorded which you will find below. Please note - some of the presentation slides on this page are not accessible, however they are exempt because this is third-party content that is neither funded nor developed by, nor under the control of, the public sector body. The content is also presented in the videos which contains audio and subtitles.

Key Stage 1 Early Maths - Simon Cox - Education Endowment Foundation

Early Maths Webinar Recording

Early Maths PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)

Early Maths Guidance Report (PDF)

Key Stage 1 Early Literacy - Caroline Bilton - Education Endowment Foundation

Early Literacy Webinar Recording

Early Literacy PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)

Early Literacy Guidance Report (PDF)

Speech, Language and Communication - Michelle Morris and Rebecca Shirt

Speech, Language and Communication Webinar Recording

Speech, Language and Communication PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)

Language as a Child Wellbeing Indicator Research Paper (PDF)

Play Based Learning - Julie Fisher

Play Based Learning Webinar Recording

Play Based Learning PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)

The Place of Play in KS1 Research Paper (PDF)

Outdoor Learning Approaches - Kathryn Solly

Outdoor Learning Approaches Webinar Recording

Outdoor Learning Approaches PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)

Student Outcomes and Natural Schooling Research Paper (PDF)

Supporting Language Development in Year 1 Webinars

The pandemic has highlighted language development issues, particularly for our most disadvantaged children after missing out on time in the classroom. This disproportionate impact underscores the need to take extra measures to support recovery.

These practical webinars offered Year 1 teachers, head teachers and school leaders, the opportunity to reflect on how to embed key principles around language learning into the Year 1 curriculum through giving children voice, fostering parental engagement, understanding disadvantage and highlighting the language skills that may need extra attention following school closures. The tips are set out below:

  • Tip 1: Create an Enabling Environment

  • Tip 2: Create Opportunities for Language Development

  • Tip 3: Encourage Parental Involvement

  • Tip 4: Focus Attention and Listening

  • Tip 5: Conscious Awareness of Language Demands: Blank Level Questions and Vocabulary

  • Tip 6: Check Pre-phonic Skills

Overview of the tips to support communication and language in Year 1

This first webinar in the series will give an overview of key strategies to support communication and language for year 1 pupils who may have missed out on vital learning. This was followed by four more sessions below which go into detail on tips 4-6.

Overview of the tips Webinar Recording

Overview of the tips PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)

Questions: Understanding the impact of the different types and their impact on behaviour management (Tip 5)

This webinar focuses specifically on the Blank Language Scheme. You will learn about the different levels of questioning and how these can be applied within the classroom and to the management of behaviour.

Questions Webinar Recording

Questions PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)

Understanding the different stages of listening and attention and how to support children to progress (Tip 4)

This webinar provides an overview of how listening and attention skills develop and the link to language development. You will explore how difficulties with attention and listening might present in the classroom and the implications of this on learning and well-being. You will also explore strategies and resources available to help improve listening and attention skills.

Listening and Attention Webinar Recording

Listening and Attention PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)

Vocabulary and developing an understanding of cross curricular words (Tip 5)

In this webinar you will be exploring vocabulary in depth and learning about the different tiers words can be grouped into. The focus is around tier 2 words that are often words with multiple meanings, used in different contexts and across curriculum areas. Supporting children with deficiencies in tier 2 will strengthen their capacity to make the most of new learning opportunities.

Vocabulary Webinar Recording

Vocabulary PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)

Phonological development and pre-literacy skills (Tip 6)

This webinar highlights the different aspects of phonological awareness, which underpin the pathway to literacy. Mastering these early skills form the foundation for reading and spelling. This session will provide practical ideas to help children to develop and practice early phonological skills.

Phonological Development Webinar Recording

Phonological Development PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)

Social, Emotional and Behavioural Development in Children

Fostering health social and emotional development in young children - Tips for early childhood teachers and providers (PDF)

Resilience Tips (PDF)