Curriculum

The children in the Nursery and the Reception classes follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum which covers seven areas of learning, which are all inter-connected . Three of the areas are crucial for developing curiosity, for forming relationships and building a capacity for a love of learning. These are called prime areas and include:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

We also support children in four specific areas which also help to strengthen and apply knowledge in the prime areas. These specific areas are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

At Plaistow Hill activities and experiences for the children in each of the seven areas are as follows.

• Communication and Language - this is at the heart of young children's learning and includes exposing children to a rich language environment; to develop confidence and skills in expressing thenselves; and to promote speaking and listening skills in a range of situations.
• Physical Development- is about proving opportunities for young children to be active; to improve their skills of co-ordination, control, manipulation and movement. Physical development has two other important aspects: it helps the children gain confidence in what they can do and enables them to feel the positive benefits of being healthy and active. Effective physical activity helps children develop a positive sense of well being.
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development - this includes helping children to develop a sense of self and to have confidence in their own abilities; to form positive relationships and repect for others; to manage their own feelings and social skills; and to understand appropriate behaviour.
• Literacy - encourages children to link sounds and letters and begin to read and write; providing opportunities across all learning to read a wide range of resources such as books, signs and posters; and to write using a range of resources and in different forms.
• Mathematics - we help to develop and improve the children's counting, understanding and using number skills; to understand simple addition and subtraction; and to describe shape, space and measures. 
• Understanding the World – is about helping children to develop critical knowledge, skills and understanding to help them make sense of the world. We promote first hand experiences that encourage exploration, observation to find out about people.places, technology and the environment.
• Expressive Arts and Design – the children’s understanding is developed through using a wide range of media and resources; encouragement to share their thoughts and ideas through music, art, dance, role play and design.

Well planned play, both indoors and outdoors, is a key way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge. We aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum, including child initiated and adult directed activities..

The children in Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and 2) follow the National curriculum. At Plaistow Hill we provide a broad and balanced curriculum with effective learning opportunities for the inclusion of all pupils as we prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

We use a programme called Read Write Inc for teaching phonics, writing and reading - see the tab on the parents page for more information. In addition to this we use a colour banded reading scheme and from mid-year in Foundation Stage children bring home a book to read at a suitable level, along with a library book for parents/carers to read to their child. Parents are invited to comment on their child's reading and teachers also write comments in the child's personal 'Reading Rocket' diary. The Reading Rocket book contains advice for supporting reading at home.

We work in partnership with families and the wider community to provide opportunities for all pupils to learn and achieve and develop socially, morally, physically, spiritually and culturally within a climate of equal opportunities.

We aim to provide effective and creative learning environments giving every child the opportunity to experience success in learning and achieve a high a standard as possible. If your child has special educational needs (SEN) that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age, we work closely with you to encourage them and co-ordinate support.

Key skills are promoted to help pupils improve their learning and performance in education, work and life through communication, application of numbers, information technology, working with others, problem solving and thinking skills.

The Key Stage 1 curriculum builds on the pupils’ prior experiences in the Foundation Stage.

The curriculum includes:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Information and Communication Technology
• PE
• Art and Design
• Music
• Design Technology
• History
• Geography
• Religious Education
• Personal, Social and Health Education
• Citizenship
• A range of extra curricular experiences

National Curriculum Assessment