The first two years of a child's education - the year in Nursery and the year in Reception - are now collectively called ‘the Foundation Stage'. The curriculum is divided into six areas of learning:

The children are encouraged to become independent. They need to be able to manage their own coats and art overalls, to dress themselves after swimming, to blow their noses and use the toilet without assistance. They learn to take turns, share and help tidy up, as well as developing an awareness of other people's needs. Self-esteem is built up through Circle Time and by the caring environment in general. Good manners are encouraged at all times, both in class and in the school as a whole.

Working together

This covers all forms of art and craftwork for which a huge range of materials and media are explored. It also encompasses role-play, drama, dance and music, all of which are important elements in the Foundation Stage curriculum. A specialist teacher comes in to teach dance to the children once a week. Reception children also have specialist teachers for sport and music.

The outside classroom

The development of listening and speaking skills is of primary importance to young children and a wide range of games and activities are offered to encourage this. Phonic sounds are learned through THRASS, whilst a range of reading schemes encourages early reading skills. The children enjoy a wide range of books at Foundation Stage and also spend time in the library each week.

Early writing skills

This can be divided into activities which encourage gross motor skills and those which are aimed at fine motor skills. For the former, the Nursery and Reception children are able to use the extensive grounds where walks, the nursery garden, the main play area and the sports fields are all available to them. There is also a weekly swimming lesson, dance session and PE lesson with specialist teachers. Fine motor skills are developed through activities incorporating construction toys, play dough, scissors, bead threading, pencil and paper and so on.

P.E.

Swimming in our new pool

This area of development covers History, Geography, Science and Religious Education and is mainly taught through topic work. Each topic chosen is cross-curricular and gives opportunities for children to share their own knowledge, learn new things and widen their horizons. In addition the curriculum covers the weather, the seasons and traditional festivals. Special festivals and celebrations are shared so that the children can learn about each other's family values and faith.

Practical activities based on number, measures, shape and space form the basis of the children's mathematical development. Cookery, sand, water, play dough, counting rhymes and many other every day activities teach the children mathematical concepts and vocabulary.

Maths is fun