GLF Schools

GLF Schools

GLF Schools was founded in 2012 in order to enable the federation of Glyn School (an academy in 2011) and Danetree Junior School. Together, we began our journey to become a MAT of more than 1000 talented staff working with over 10,000 children in 40 schools across 5 regions in southern England.

Our Schools

Banbury Region

Banstead Region

Berkshire & Hampshire Region

Caterham Region

Crawley Region

Didcot Region

Epsom Region

London Boroughs

Redhill Region

Sunbury & Camberley Region

Autumn 1

Project Title: How Can Data Help Us Understand the World Around Us?

This term, our Year 1 children will become young scientists and designers as they explore the properties of materials and how data can help us make informed decisions. Their learning will be centred around a practical and creative challenge: designing and making a curtain that is both functional and appealing.

What Will the Children Be Learning?

Through a hands-on, cross-curricular approach, children will:

  • Science: Investigate everyday materials, their physical properties, and how these affect their suitability for different purposes—especially for blocking out light.
  • Design & Technology (DT): Learn how to design, test, and evaluate a product based on a design brief. They will create a panel for a class curtain, considering factors like opacity, flexibility, and appearance.
  • Art: Explore printing techniques and tie-dye to embellish fabric. They will study designers such as Orla Kiely and William Morris, and create their own repeating patterns.
  • Maths: Use data collection tools like tally charts and pictograms to support decision-making and evaluate materials.

Project Outcome

By the end of the term, each child will have created a fabric panel for a collaborative class curtain. This panel will reflect their understanding of materials and design, featuring a repeating pattern created through printing or dyeing techniques.

Enrichment Opportunities

To enhance their learning, children will:

  • Use data loggers to measure light levels.
  • Visit a haberdashery or textile company.
  • Experiment with fabric colouring techniques.
  • Create their own printed textile samples.

Global Learning

Children will explore how housing and window coverings differ around the world, encouraging them to appreciate diversity and develop a sense of global citizenship.

Supporting Learning at Home

You can support your child by:

  • Talking about different materials and their uses at home.
  • Exploring patterns in everyday objects.
  • Reading linked texts such as The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig or Everyday Materials by Ruth Owen.