Intent
At Greenhaugh Primary School the curriculum is designed to recognise children’s prior learning (from previous settings and their experiences at home), whilst also providing new learning experiences and encouraging children in their journey to become resilient, ambitious, engaged and happy learners.
Every child is recognised as a unique individual and we celebrate and welcome differences within our school community. The ability to learn is underpinned by the teaching of basic skills, knowledge, concepts and values. We provide enhancement opportunities to engage learning and believe that our first experiences of school should be happy and positive, ensuring children develop a lifelong love of learning.
Community involvement is an essential part of our curriculum as we celebrate local traditions, learning new skills to enable the children to take an active role in events throughout the year. As children in Reception work alongside those from Year 1 and 2 they are part of a close knit community and transition smoothly into Year1.
Implementation
Our Reception follows the curriculum as outlined in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. The EYFS is based on seven key features of effective practice as set out in Development Matters 2020
1. The best for every child
2. High-quality care
3. The curriculum: what we want children to learn
4. Pedagogy: helping children to learn
5. Assessment: checking what children have learnt
6. Self-regulation and executive function
7. Partnership with parents
As part of our best practice we:
- Provide a balanced curriculum, based on the EYFS, across the seven areas of learning
- Promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice
- Provide early intervention for those who need additional support
- Work in partnership with parents and where needed outside agencies.
- Plan challenging learning experiences for all our children, based on the individual needs of the child
- Provide opportunities for our children to engage in adult led learning and self-initiated learning
- Provide a secure and safe learning environment indoors and outdoors
- Plan an exciting and challenging curriculum based on our observations of children’s needs, interests and stages of development across the seven areas of learning
Areas of Learning:
The EYFS is made up of three prime areas of learning:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
There are four specific areas of learning:
- Literacy
- Maths
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
All seven areas of learning and development are important and interconnected.
At Greenhaugh children are provided with a range of rich, meaningful first hand experiences, in which they can explore, think creatively and be active. We provide a well –balanced, progressive curriculum and our planning ensures that each child has the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in every area of the EYFS. Each area of learning and development is implemented through planned, purposeful activities and through a mix of adult led and child initiated learning which take place in our indoor and outdoor environments.
During a week children access a range of adult led, adult planned and child initiated tasks through the indoor and outdoor provision. A vital aspect in the development of essential knowledge and skills is the use of continuous provision. This means that children are using and developing taught skills throughout the year on a daily/weekly basis. Continuous Provision practice and principles begin in Early Years Foundation Stage and support children to develop key life skills such as independence; innovation; creativity, enquiry; analysis and problem solving. During the day, children will have an opportunity to work independently, work collaboratively with their friends, both in their own and other year groups and work with a member of staff.
Class Dojo is used to share children’s achievements with parents and to inform school of children’s achievements at home.
Impact
The impact of our curriculum is measured by ongoing formative assessment and by how effectively it helps our pupils develop into well rounded individuals who embody our values and carry with them the knowledge, skills and attitudes which will make them lifelong learners and valuable future citizens.
We know how important it is for your child to feel happy and secure during the time they are in school, and we are very proud of the excellent relationship that we have with North Tynies. Post pandemic nursery children will once again be able to enjoy sessions with reception children from Greenhaugh, enjoying a variety of activities specifically designed for their ages and abilities.
Children become used to the routines, including lunchtimes, so that when they start in September they are completely prepared and settle quickly.
Parents will also be invited into school towards the end of July to meet Mrs Crow and Mrs Ewen, to learn more about what their child will be doing in school once they start and to buy uniform ready for September.