Year Group Pages

Early Years Foundation Stage Unit (Nursery and Reception)

In nursery, children broadly learn through play with adults interacting in a skilled way to support and progress children's learning and ideas. We have short group sessions each day to have time to talk and develop a sense of belonging, sing and rhyme, count and explore our topic through a chosen text for interactive story. All learning is embedded through opportunities during continuous provision time and adults support children to practise and become secure in their new learning. 

In Reception, children explore in a similar way to nursery and continue to learn through play for large parts of the day. Children in reception also have more structured times throughout the day: 20 minutes of phonics, interactive story and maths learning as well as wider curriculum learning such as PE, investigations, big talk, music and singing. 

We ensure that there are many opportunities to explore outdoors; getting muddy, exploring and having fun! We explore Alvaston Park during all four seasons in nursery and reception to help children to understand the world around them and to see the changes that occur throughout the year. Children also have the opportunity to visit the farm in nursery and the zoo in reception to further develop their understanding of the world. 

Children in reception are expected to read at home 4 times a week to support them consolidating their phonics knowledge. Books match the stage that children are at in their phonics journey; phases 2, 3 and 4 will be taught in reception. 

Key Stage One (Year 1 and Year 2)

Within Key Stage One, are the following year groups: Year 1 and Year 2.  This key stage is the transition from the play based curriculum of EYFS towards the SATs at the end of year 2. We plan our learning based on a variety of topics across the academic year. We endeavour to build learning links across all subjects to our topic where possible, ensuring learners have opportunities to develop their understanding by connecting associated concepts.

To ensure that learners are reaching their full potential, they are expected to read their individual reading book at least 3 times a week at home with parents. If this is completed, they will receive a ‘Reading Dojo’ worth 3 points. 

There will also be a wide variety of curriculum enhancing events throughout the year. These include the Year 1 children going to Skegness for the day, as part of their ‘How do you know you are at the seaside?' topic and the Year 2 children spending a night sleeping in school. 

Lower Key Stage Two (Year 3 and Year 4)

Lower Key Stage Two (Year 3 and Year 4)

In Lower Key Stage 2, our learning is focused on a range of exciting and interesting topics. In addition, children are given the opportunity to go on a range of educational visits, which enhance our curriculum further.

We expect all learners to read at home at least three times each week to a parent/carer, this should be written in their Home School Record book and initialled by the adult who has listened to them.  They will earn three dojo points for doing this. If your child is a good reader, they can read independently, please could you support them by asking questions about what they have read to show that they understand it. If the Home School Record Book is signed on the parent signature line, then your child will also receive a dojo.

 In Year 4, our learners have the opportunity to go on a residential visit to Castleton in February; this is linked with their Romans topic. 

Upper Key Stage 2 (Year 5 and Year 6)

The learning is based around an exciting topic led curriculum. We have high expectations of our learners in both their learning and their behaviour.  They are expected to be role models to the children in the years below them.  We give learners extra responsibilities. These learners are selected by staff and their duties focus on developing self-esteem, responsibility and independence.

The Year 6 children put themselves forwards and are voted for by the whole school to become key members of the school council and they have regular meetings with representatives of the other year groups and Mrs O’Leary.  They then meet with Mrs Baker-Heath to take forward ideas and matters arising from the school council meetings, this is a very responsible role as they are the direct voice of all the children in the school.  Our school council also meet with the Harmony Trust, termly, to share their opinions in the pupil forum.

We also develop learner’s independence and responsibility for their own learning and as they prepare to move on to secondary school we spend a lot of time discussing and sharing experiences that are very important to them.  Over the 2 years we cover sensitive issues including relationship and sex education and answer questions arising in an open and honest way.  We also provide sessions on internet safety, drugs and gangs awareness.

The trips and experiences that are provided are linked to the topics that are covered. These are great educational experiences for the children.

Learners are expected to read at home every day.  In preparation for End of Year Tests they are encouraged to read for a longer period of time.  If your child is a good reader they can read independently.  Please support this reading with lots of questions to show that they understand the text.  To show that they have read please sign their reading record.  If the children read at least three times a week they will gain dojo points. They will also gain a dojo point if they make sure that their reading record is signed by a parent/ carer.

There is a residential visit for each of the year groups.  Year 5 this year are visting York for an overnight stay- they will visit Yorvik and take part in workshops to support there Viking topic learning. .  Here they put up their own tents, help make their meals and complete a variety of activities.   Year 6 are going to be furthing their camping skills with a week on a scout camp site near to Whitby.  They will have time on the local beaches and explore Whitby.  

Visit each year group page to find out what they are learning about through the topic knowledge organiser and to view current homework challenges.