INTENT

St Aidan’s School believes that all children deserve an education rich in memorable experiences that allows our children’s creativity and curiosity to grow, alongside the development of key skills and knowledge. We believe that offering our children a strong foundation and a love of learning gives children the best chance to become well-rounded ,happy individuals, ready to succeed in an ever changing world.

We recognise the importance of giving our children the best possible start to them in reaching their education by planning and implementing teaching and learning opportunities that support them reaching their full potential.

It is our intention to provide a stimulating learning environment where all children can work with adults and peers in a climate of mutual respect to develop confidence in their ability to learn. We aim to provide children with a well structured, safe and active learning environment. This will enable our young learners to develop the skills, attitudes and understanding that support our children to become life long learners and encourage them to become active members of our ever changing society.

IMPLEMENTATION

We recognise that children will learn most effectively when they are healthy, safe and secure, when their individual needs are met and when they have positive relationships with adults who care for them. We aim to provide a setting that encompasses a safe and stimulating environment where children are able to enjoy learning and grow in confidence that helps them to achieve their potential.

In Early Years we begin with a strong emphasis on intentional teaching sessions and adult led activities to build the foundation of the children’s learning skills and knowledge and understanding the curriculum, so that they can apply this learning to child-initiated activities through continuous provision.

The curriculum is planned and implemented through a thematic approach. This approach gives children the opportunities to apply their learning across the curriculum and that gives their work practical context and also opportunities to apply knowledge and skills through a variety of learning opportunities. Topics are introduced to our children in a creative way, half termly. Learning then develops through a series of lessons that build skills, knowledge and understanding within that topic of learning. At the end of each topic, children are given the opportunity to evaluate and celebrate their learning.

Throughout Reception our children are assessed in relation to their progress towards Development Matters and the Early Learning Goals. These judgements are made on the basis of observations and in depth knowledge of the children acquired through ongoing assessments.  Next steps are fostered during continuous provision and adult led activities to ensure children are challenged. End of year assessments are finalised during the summer term, summarising each child’s development at that point against the Early Learning Goals and Development Matters.

IMPACT

Our children will be actively engaged in their learning and the enjoyment of this learning will be apparent in their daily provision. All children will have experienced a curriculum that provides exciting and enriching learning experiences and opportunities for them to learn through educational visits and practical experiences.

Our young learners will be able to appreciate and understand the world around them by experiencing and learning about different cultures, celebrations,  music, dance, art and history. Children will actively ask questions about the world around them and learning experiences.

We also aim to help children to make sense of the world around them. Our early years children will be successful learners and fully prepared for the next stage of their education as they transition from Early Years Foundation Stage into Key Stage One.

By the end of Foundation Stage our children will have developed the essential knowledge and skills required for everyday life and lifelong learning. We believe the children at St Aidan’s will be happy, inquisitive and successful learnings who have bright futures.