Principles for Early Years education

The education of under fives should:

• Secure a broad and balanced curriculum that fosters the intellectual, emotional, physical, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of children.
• Ensure that all children have access to the curriculum and make progress commensurate with their developing abilities, irrespective of their gender, ethnic, social or religious background or special educational needs.
• Enable children to learn and develop skills, attitudes and understanding that prepare them for continuing education.
• Enable children to make an effective transition from home to school.

Quality of learning

Effective learning takes place where pupils:

• Feel secure, valued and confident.
• Are interested in what they are doing and are making appropriate progress.
• Are given first hand experiences within which they can explore and experiment.
• Enjoy their learning, which is rewarding and satisfying.
• Can learn from each other and through spontaneous interaction with peers and adults.
• Can practise, consolidate and extend previous learning and experiences.
• Are involved in practical activity, enquiry and purposeful play.
• Are using the outside environment.

Quality of teaching

Effective teaching takes place where:

• Staff have a clear understanding of how children learn.
• Staff plan, co-operate and work as a team.
• Activities are purposeful and clearly planned.
• There is a balance of self-chosen, adult initiated and directed activities.
• Staff work directly with the children.
• Children’s play is supported and extended sensitively.
• There is a good use of space, materials and equipment.
• Staff are flexible and explore opportunities that occur spontaneously.
• Staff have high expectations based on each child’s ability.
• Children have full access to and use of the inside and outside environment.

Planning

• To provide a broad and balanced curriculum.
• To plan according to the six areas of learning.
• To have sound learning objectives using the Stepping Stones and Early Learning goals.
• To have thorough planning as a guide while also being mindful to make the most of opportunities for learning as they arise.

Assessment

The Hampshire Record of Achievement is used in Nursery and Pre-Prep
The Foundation Stage Profile is completed at the end of Reception.

Parental Involvement

All children are invited to spend time in school before starting. Parents are always welcome to discuss their child’s progress or concerns at any time and specific Parental Consultations take place twice a year, for Reception, when all profile assessments can be fully discussed. The needs and characteristics of the children are discussed in recognition of the fact that parents have the greatest knowledge of their child.

Conduct

Children are encouraged to consider and respect others at all times. Children are asked to walk in school and to keep to the left in corridors. They should be encouraged to stand aside for adults, good manners are expected at all times.

Dress

All pupils are expected to wear the correct school uniform and to appear neatly dressed while travelling to and from school. They are encouraged to take care of their personal belongings and to respect those of others. They are encouraged to dress and undress themselves as appropriate.

Parents are requested to purchase sensible navy blue or black shoes for school. Black or white plimsolls and trainers are preferred for PE activities. Parents are requested to purchase school PE kit from the general office. No jewellery may be worn for PE activities, for safety reasons, with the exception of stud earrings. Pupils are encouraged to have tidy hair at all times. Girls are asked to tie back long hair.

At the class teacher’s discretion, children may be allowed to dispense with blazers in hot weather. A uniform baseball cap/legionnaire’s hat is available from the general office for use in the summer term during recreation and on the playing field.

A uniform school bag is compulsory. Uniform PE bags, swimming bags and reading folders are obtainable from the general office. All-Weather suits are compulsory across the Foundation Stage as are PVC art overalls for Year R, and lunchtime overalls for Nursery and Pre-Prep. All are available from the general office. All items of uniform/clothing/shoes must be clearly named.

Health & Safety

Reception children must be collected by a parent or carer at the school door, or by adult previously notified to the class teacher or the school secretary. Nursery and Pre-Prep children will be collected from the Nursery or Pre-Prep door, again by a parent or carer or by another adult previously notified to the class teacher or the school secretary. Children will not be allowed to go into the car park with a junior sibling and, only with a senior sibling, by prior arrangement.

If a pupil is absent from school, a letter of explanation is required.

Initially, illnesses and accidents are dealt with by the class teacher. If further attention is required, a child is seen by the Welfare Officer or registered First Aider, and then, where necessary, the Health Centre or Hospital will be contacted. If medicines are sent into school they must be clearly labelled and handed to the school secretary, who will then pass them to the school nurse for safekeeping. The nurse will then administer all medicines, but the class teacher may oversee the use of inhalers providing written instructions have been supplied.

General

Children may bring one small toy to school for which no responsibility can be accepted.

School uniform must be worn on school outings in which all children are encouraged to participate.

Children are not permitted glass bottles or fizzy drinks cans in school or on outings. They are not allowed to purchase chocolate or other items from the Holy shop. Children are provided with a drink and biscuit or fruit for their morning break.

School Day

The Reception Class day runs from 8:50 to 3:30

The Nursery and Pre-Prep school day is split into two sessions:
Morning session - 8:50 to 1:00
Afternoon session - 1:00 to 3:30