Reception
We follow the Early Years Statutory Framework, which has seven main areas of learning.
We have our own unique curriculum ambitions for our Reception children.
Curriculum ambitions
Staff work hard as a team to create a positive, caring and welcoming atmosphere where the children feel secure yet are challenged to achieve their best. The emphasis is very much on helping individual children to achieve their full potential. We are fully inclusive, and all children are expected to think about the needs of others. We respect all families and aim to develop a positive two-way relationship with each one.
We aim to provide an ambitious, inspiring and high-quality curriculum underpinned by the principals of the Early Years Framework which enables children to develop a love of learning and a positive attitude to education.
We celebrate the uniqueness of each child, with high aspirations for each child, recognising they all learn and develop in different ways, at different rates and bring diverse experiences to our school.
Implementation
Our curriculum is based upon seven broad areas of learning; each child's progress and development is reported to the Department for Education at the end of their Reception year against set Early Learning Goals. These areas of learning include:
The Prime Areas
Personal, Social and Emotional Development through which children gain confidence and self- awareness, the ability to manage their feelings and behaviour and learn about building effective relationships with others.
Communication and Language through which children learn about listening, attention, understanding and speaking.
Physical Development which emphasises gross and fine motor skills in moving and handling, as well as health and self-care.
The Specific Areas
Literacy: Early reading and writing skills, explicit daily teaching of phonics, recognising common and irregular words, reading and understanding simple sentences and talking about what they have read; children will begin to use their phonic knowledge to build and write words and construct simple sentences.
Mathematics: Based around counting reliably from 1-20, understanding number order and beginning simple addition and subtraction; children will also experience solving mathematical problems by talking about shapes, weight, capacity, time, money, halving and measuring and comparing everyday objects.
Understanding the world: Enables children to base their learning on what they understand of the world around them through talking about past and present events within their own families, being aware of the differences and similarities between others and among families, communities and traditions; children will observe the differences in their environment, learn about plants and animals and talk about changes. They will also use a range of different technologies, selecting and using them for different purposes.
Expressive Arts and Design: Children will sing songs and create their own music and dance. They explore a range of materials, tools and techniques to look at different colours, design and texture in their artwork and are given opportunities to be imaginative through art, music, role play and stories.
The teaching of these areas of learning is practical and playful with support and challenge from adults in class sessions, small group sessions and working with individuals. There is a combination of adult- led, teacher taught sessions as well as a wealth of stimulating continuous provision opportunities.
Throughout all these areas of learning and at the heart of the EYFS Curriculum are the “Characteristics of Effective Learning”. At St Paul’s Walden we strive to develop these key characteristics of “Playing and Learning”, “Active Learning” and “Thinking Critically” in order to give the children the skills that they will continue to draw upon throughout their development. All the crucial skills, knowledge and vocabulary that we teach are presented to the children throughout the year which encompasses a range of topics, which are designed with their interests in mind.
Our learning environments, both inside and outside are also adapted regularly to meet the different and developing needs of the children in our care. We aim to ensure that these areas are always stimulating and exciting and that, importantly, they are accessible to all children, regardless of where they are on their learning journey. The environments are developed to promote independence within our children and allow them to access the curriculum independently and confidently with the necessary level of support and challenge.
Staff observe, listen to and work with children to facilitate learning. Positive relationships and good communication play a vital part when planning for individual needs. Every child has the support they need to flourish.
All children access a broad, balanced, well-resourced curriculum, which offers opportunities for enjoyment and success through active learning. Planned activities aim to foster good social relationships, promote equal opportunities and support special educational needs. Children learn to co-operate and listen to others. They do this in pairs, small groups and whole class groups. We use short teacher inputs and access to a cross curricular indoor/outdoor provision. Staff plan for and ensure that both the inside and outside spaces are fun, safe, engaging and offer challenge.
Impact
Children's progress is monitored closely from the moment they start, and their journey is tracked throughout the year allowing appropriate support and challenge to be put in place.
The impact of our curriculum is measured by assessment procedures which allow us to measure outcomes against all schools nationally. We strive to ensure that our children’s attainment in prime and specific areas are in line with age related expectations or are achieving their potential considering the varied starting points of the children. We measure this carefully using a range of materials, but always considering Age Related Expectations. We intend that the impact is that children will be academically and physically prepared for life in further education and in Modern Britain and the world. We measure this not just by the work our children produce, but in the behaviours we see each day in all our children on the playground, in corridors, and in the many roles we give them. The children don’t give up, are highly motivated to succeed and achieve and are equipped with all the personal skills to do this.
Through our curriculum our children learn about risks and safety, how to make good choices and gain an understanding of boundaries. They develop into independent confident and successful learners.
Our curriculum provides the building blocks for every area of learning and our children flourish and go on to be the best they can be.
