New Year resources – Oracy and writing ideas for KS1 and KS2

These New Year resources provide engaging activities to develop oracy, goal-setting and personal writing skills across KS1 and KS2.

The start of a new year is full of possibilities, fresh goals and exciting traditions to explore. For young writers and speakers, it’s the perfect time to practise oracy skills, experiment with vocabulary and reflect on hopes for the year ahead.

New Year resources for KS1 and KS2

Reflective writing in KS1

This KS1 resource pack helps pupils in Y1 and 2 reflect on the year gone by. They'll celebrate their achievements and set positive goals for the new year.

With worksheets for recording snapshots of last year and noting hopes for the year ahead, it supports oracy, reflection and early writing skills.

New year ‘recipes’ for LKS2

This LKS2 resource pack invites pupils in Y3 and 4 to create their own ‘recipe’ for a brilliant year. They'll use the prompts to help them think about what makes a happy and successful year ahead.

Alongside this, pupils will reflect on last year’s highlights and celebrate their achievements. They'll also develop their oracy and writing skills using the themed worksheets.

Hopes and dreams for UKS2

In a similar vein, our UKS2 resource pack supports pupils in Y5 and 6 as they reflect on the year gone by and articulate their hopes and dreams for the year ahead.

There's worksheets for recording key events and achievements, space to capture aspirations for the new year and themed writing paper for extended reflections.

New Year discussion cards

These New Year discussion card resources help pupils develop speaking and listening skills. Use them to guide conversations about the past year and children's hopes for the year ahead.

There are two sets of cards for reviewing last year and exploring future goals. This resource encourages oracy, active participation and attentive listening.

Whole-school assembly with worksheets

Welcome pupils back to school in the New Year with this whole school assembly resource pack. You'll celebrate star moments from the past year and share hopes for the year ahead.

You'll highlight notable 2025 events, including the Lionesses winning Euro 2025, the Netflix success of KPop Demon Hunters and sightings of the Northern Lights across the UK.

The pack includes worksheets for pupils to record their highlights and wishes. You can then display these as a ‘Happy New Year’ showcase across the school.

With these New Year resources, your pupils will be ready to discuss the past year, capture their ambitions and start the year with creativity and confidence.