Reception - Attenborough and Luther-King
INTENT
Our intention is to make every child’s very first experiences of school positive and meaningful. We place great emphasis on making our classrooms a place where children feel safe, valued and motivated to learn. We want children to be excited about coming to school and in the future to remember fondly the time they spent with us.
We provide a curriculum that is tailored to the needs of all of the children in our diverse school community. We recognise and celebrate that each child is unique and has different strengths, interests, prior experiences and learning styles. We provide a rich and holistic educational experience firmly rooted in the teachings and values of the Catholic faith. We aspire to create an environment where every child is nurtured, valued, and supported in their spiritual, moral, social, and academic development. Our curriculum is designed to be inclusive, respectful of diversity, and underpinned by a Catholic ethos, ensuring that children grow not only academically but also spiritually and emotionally.
Our EYFS curriculum is based on the belief that every child is unique and therefore deserves an education that caters to their individual needs, interests, and abilities. We aim to improve on how the curriculum is delivered, adapt it according to the needs of different cohorts and take into account the topics that the children are passionate about.
We are committed to fostering a love for learning, instilling a sense of wonder and curiosity, and promoting resilience, empathy, and respect among our young learners.
As well as this, we ensure our curriculum provides children with opportunities to gain foundational skills and knowledge that will later be enhanced and embedded in Key Stage One.
In our Reception classes we create an atmosphere where children are relaxed and at ease with the adults, but where mutual respect is paramount. We have high expectations for behaviour and learning, with all adults using consistent positive recognition strategies.
We praise, recognise and reward not only the outcomes of children’s play and learning, but the effort they put in thus ensuring that children understand the importance of being resilient, tackling challenges and persevering – even if they may not always succeed first time!
IMPLEMENTATION
The implementation of our EYFS curriculum is characterised by a child-centred approach that places the child at the heart of the learning process. We provide a stimulating, play-based environment that offers a balance between child-initiated and adult-led activities, ensuring that children have the opportunity to explore, investigate, and discover at their own pace. Our practitioners are highly skilled, knowledgeable, and passionate about early years education, and they work collaboratively to create a vibrant and engaging learning environment that supports children's development across all areas of learning.
We integrate the teachings of the Catholic faith seamlessly into our curriculum, incorporating prayer, reflection, and opportunities for spiritual development into daily routines. Our curriculum is broad, balanced, and sequenced effectively, with a strong focus on prime areas of the curriculum: communication and language, physical development, personal, social, and emotional development. Specific areas of the curriculum: literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design are taught as well across the year. We place a strong emphasis on language development, fostering a love for reading and storytelling, and promoting a rich vocabulary among our children.
IMPACT
The impact of our EYFS curriculum is evidenced by the positive outcomes achieved by our children in their learning and development. Through rigorous assessment and observation, we track the progress of each child, identifying their strengths and areas for development, and tailoring our provision to meet their individual needs. Our children demonstrate a deep understanding of the Catholic values and teachings that underpin our curriculum, showing empathy, compassion, and respect for others in their interactions.
Our children make excellent progress across the seven areas of learning, developing strong foundations for future learning and reaching age-appropriate expectations by the end of the EYFS. They are confident communicators, inquisitive learners, and creative thinkers who approach challenges with resilience and determination. Our children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is at the centre of everything we do in EYFS, as they demonstrate a deep sense of belonging, faith, and an understanding of their place in the world.
In conclusion, the intent, implementation, and impact of our EYFS curriculum at our Catholic primary school align with the highest standards of excellence and reflect our unwavering commitment to providing a nurturing, inclusive, and enriching educational experience that prepares our children for future success both academically and spiritually.