Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
At Valley Invicta Primary School at East Borough, we offer a curriculum rich in wonder and memorable experiences. We have carefully designed a curriculum which maximises opportunities for language acquisition through meaningful cross-curricular links. Children set and reflect on their own goals by aiming high and developing a love of reading, writing and number. We believe that the correct mix of adult directed, and uninterrupted child-initiated play ensures the best outcomes for our pupils. The components are sequenced to ensure that children build on their prior knowledge through carefully planned, adult led activities, as well as promoting sustained thinking following the children’s own interests and ideas. Therefore, children meet the desired outcomes of Development Matters and the Early Learning Goals.
Our enabling, stimulating environment provides exciting opportunities, promotes challenge, exploration, adventure and a real lifelong love of learning.
Reading
Reading is at the heart of our curriculum. Children are encouraged to become early readers through enjoyment of books and the systematic teaching of phonics. Children follow the rigorous and highly successful Read, Write Inc program faithfully so that they meet good outcomes for reading with almost all children passing the Year One phonics screening. Through the teaching of ‘Story World’, children develop a love of stories and internalise the language of storytelling. We prioritise creating a ‘language rich’ environment through our ‘Story World’ curriculum, the use of songs, nursery rhymes, and providing time for quality interactions between adults and between peers. Our staff ensure that interactions are positive and progressive, allowing children to flourish and gather words at pace in order to become confident communicators.
Maths
The children develop their mathematical thinking through direct teaching and exploration. We want our children to become confident mathematicians who can apply what they have learnt to real life experiences. We follow the Maths Mastery approach in Early Years with an emphasis on studying key skills of number, calculation and pattern so that pupils develop deep understanding and the acquisition of mathematical language. Pupils learn through games and tasks using concrete manipulatives which are then rehearsed and applied to their own learning during exploration.
Wider Curriculum
Alongside Story World, the curriculum is also taught through carefully planned topics which are enriched with classroom enhancements, trips and visitors. Topics are supported by quality key texts. These are chosen carefully to encourage children's speech, language and communication development. All planning, however, is flexible and responsive to children’s needs so plans can be changed and adapted dependent on children’s interests. Children are provided with plenty of time to engage in ‘exploration’ throughout the variety of experiences carefully planned to engage and challenge them in the provision. The curriculum is planned for the inside and outside classrooms and equal importance is given to learning in both areas. Our learning environment is adaptable in order to reflect children's interests and progression. The children are supported to learn to work together, manage their feelings and ask questions through skilled adult facilitated play.
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