Let Me Be Five: Implementing a Play-Based Curriculum in Year 1 and Beyond

This book offers a step-by-step guide to implementing a play-based curriculum in Year 1 while fully achieving the National Curriculum objectives. The authors explore the key barriers and common pitfalls that often arise around this crucial transition, and show teachers how to successfully lead children from the Reception stage through Year 1 and to the subject-based teaching beyond. Providing practical advice and guidance for busy teachers, the authors clearly and concisely illustrate their methods with theory, personal stories and colourful photographs from transitional stories they have been a part of. Let Me Be Five shows teachers how to plan the curriculum in a way that builds on children’s experiences in the Early Years Foundation Stage and gives them meaningful contexts for learning. Including real-life case studies and views from parents and teachers, this book will give you the knowledge and confidence to plan a play-based curriculum, based on children’s interests and developmental needs that will enable every learner to thrive.

Sue Quirk is an advisory headteacher having been a headteacher, an independent consultant and a school improvement adviser in two London boroughs.

Victoria Pettett is head of school of a three-form entry primary school, and the Swale Academies Trust Early Years lead.

The co–authors of this book are senior leaders in a multi-academy trust which includes ten primary schools, in London, Kent and East Sussex.