We aim for all children to make progress and we place a strong emphasis on helping children to develop good reading, writing and maths skills. However we also believe children should experience a balance learning experience which should be broad and varied. For children to enjoy learning at school it must be a fun and enjoyable experience.

We work closely with the children at our school to shape a learning experience which is relevant and has a strong purpose. We aim to achieve this through an approach called Imaginative Inquiry. This ties different areas children learn about together and creates an exciting purpose for children to learn through.

Children in reception are still learning through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum. Young children learn best which they have lots of opportunities to explore and investigate what they are learning about as well as playing through well planned activities. Children also learn through teaching which takes place in whole class sessions and in smaller groups. Finally children thrive learning both inside and outside the classroom which provide on a daily basis. We aim to provide a well balance mix of these elements.

Children need to develop good speaking skills. We are developing an approach called ‘Big Talk’ and children in reception often have activities which develop speaking skills. These activities include questions boxes, learning and using a ‘Wow’ words each week and lots of opportunities for children to play and talk to their friends whilst they are learning.

Children need to develop good reading skills. It helps them to develop good writing skills and it is an important skill which everyone needs as an adult. We teach children to read through learning letters so they can sound out words (phonics) and at the same time we teach children to read tricky (or irregular)words which cannot be sounded out , e.g. was, said, they. We encourage all parents to regularly read with their child at home to give them the practise they need to become confident readers.

Children also learnt to write by sounding out words and writing what they can hear. As children’s reading skills develop we also help children learn to spell tricky (or irregular words). We use an approach to writing called ‘Big Write’. Children in years one and two have a weekly ‘Big write’ session. Quiet music is played and a candle is used to create peaceful atmosphere. Special paper and pencils are used to make this session special. Children have ‘Big write’ home work the day before when they talk about what they might write to help them think about their writing.

Maths is taught from reception as children learn about numbers and develop counting skills through to year two when children learn to multiply and divide numbers. Learning in reception is through taught sessions and opportunities to play, and children in year one start to learn through daily Maths lessons. This is developed further throughout year two.

All other areas of the National Curriculum and RE syllabus are covered either by class teachers or specialist staff, such as the school’s Sports coach who teaches aspects of PE in years one and two.