Intent

Castle Primary 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 their education by planning and implementing teaching and learning opportunities that support them in 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.

We see parents as our partners and work with them to encourage and support children to be the best they can be. We value the importance of a successful transition into KS1 and work with our practitioners to provide children with the skills, attitudes and behaviours needed to make a strong start in Year 1.

Implementation

In Nursery and Reception, we meet the welfare requirements laid down in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2021). We actively safeguard and promote the welfare of all our children. 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 the 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 of the curriculum, so that they can apply this learning to child-initiated activities and through continuous provision. 

At Castle children are provided with plenty of time to engage in exploration through enticing experiences centred on their interests and deeply rooted in a love of books and reading.

Reading is at the heart of our EYFS curriculum and we follow a DfE validated early reading programme to ensure a strong start for all our children.

We follow a maths mastery approach in Reception with an emphasis on key skills so that our children develop a deep understanding and acquisition of mathematical language.

Our inclusive approach means that all children play and learn together but we are timely in our intervention and support for children not reaching their potential or those who are ready for more challenge.

We are reflective practitioners with a good subject knowledge. We welcome professional discussion and development. This is supported by engagement with other EYFS practitioners across our cluster of local schools.

We build strong relationships with parents and families from the outset. We keep them informed through information sessions, informal conversations and more formal parents’ evenings. We value parents’ contributions to their child’s journey and share and celebrate successes with them.

Impact

The impact of our curriculum can be measured by how effectively it helps our children develop the essential knowledge and skills required for everyday life and lifelong learning. We believe the children at Castle Primary School will be happy, inquisitive and successful learners who have bright futures.

We aim to ensure all children progress through a balanced and creative EYFS curriculum. We strive to ensure that every child makes a good level of progress from their individual starting points, including vulnerable groups such as though with SEND, PP or EAL children. Every child gets the best possible start to their Castle journey. We take the following measures to check we are achieving this;

• • • We make observations of children whilst they play and learn. These inform our professional judgements and planning to ensure our practice remains relevant and appropriate.
    • Each half term summative phonics assessments are completed for all our Reception children.
    • Each term judgements are made on the basis of our in-depth knowledge of each child. We use a spreadsheet to highlight children ‘on track’ and ‘not on track’ to meet the requirements of the Early Learning Goals for Reception, or the Development Matters guidance for 3 to 4 year olds for our Nursery.
    • Parents are invited to provide evidence of their child’s learning at home through achievement stars and termly questionnaires.

• • • 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.

We aim to help children to make sense of the world around them, through the values of kindness and an understanding of their rights and the rights of others in an ever-changing world. Our Early Years children will be well rounded, happy and confident children transitioning to Year 1. 

At the end of EYFS Castle children;

• • • Have strong communication skills. Our children listen respectfully and with a tolerance of the views of others. Our children speak up and ask for help.
    • Take pride in all that they do and always strive to do and be their best.
    • Demonstrate emotional resilience and the ability to persevere when they encounter a challenge.
    • Develop a sense of self-awareness and become confident in their own abilities.
    • Are kind, respectful and honest, demonstrate inclusive attitudes and have a sense of their role in our wider society.