At Shaw Primary Academy we aim to create resilient, motivated children who are bravely independent in their never-ending learning journey.  We want them to be curious, challenge themselves and have the ability to adapt and grow as their future education and employment becomes a reality. The children are exposed to a wide range of high order vocabulary that will equip them with the ability to communicate effectively in a range of situations and confidently articulate their ideas while engaging with others from all walks of life. Our intention is to ensure that children from a range of backgrounds, cultures and religions feel represented in order to see and understand that they have opportunities to achieve goals that they may otherwise feel are out of reach.

EYFS Curriculum

We plan an exciting and challenging curriculum across the seven areas of learning in order for children to achieve the early learning goals.

There are three prime areas of learning in EYFS.  

• Communication and Language,
• Personal, social and Emotional Development,
• Physical Development. 

There are also four specific areas of learning.  

• Literacy,
• Mathematics,
• Knowledge and Understanding,
• Expressive Arts and Design.

Children are provided with a range of meaningful first hand experiences where they can explore, think creatively and be actively involved in a wealth of learning experiences. We base learning experiences upon the three characteristics of effective learning in EYFS;

• Playing and Exploring,
• Active learning and Creating
• Thinking Critically. 

We ensure all areas of the curriculum are planned for in a cross-curricular and creative way and we strive to ensure positive attitudes towards all areas of learning in the EYFS. We respect that children have different starting points and previous learning and we strive to provide a nurturing environment for all. We do this through providing a range of child led, hands on learning opportunities as well as teaching moments taking into account the children's interests and continuous and extended provision both indoors and outdoors. 

The children are encouraged to follow their personal interests and explore the world around them. They are encouraged to choose activities and explore their environment independently, with adults facilitating as required. We share a range of healthy snacks every day and we learn about the importance of a healthy balanced diet. We celebrate local traditions throughout the year as part of our curriculum. 

The impact of our Early Years Curriculum is measured by how our pupils grow and develop into individuals who know our school values and have learnt the knowledge, skills and learning behaviours needed to make them lifelong learners and valuable future citizens. 

Phonics 

At Shaw Primary Academy we follow the Read Write Inc phonics program. Phonics is the systematic teaching of all the common sounds in the English language (RWI calls these the Speed Sounds). Children are taught the sounds with visuals and they will eventually learnt to put the sounds together (blend them) into words for reading. 

To enable your child to gain confidence in reading, they should only be asked to read words containing letter sounds they know securely. They learn set 1 sounds first and when they are secure in those and can read CVC words they can move on to start learning set 2 sounds (See below). 

Read Write Inc. helps the children to learn to read using sounds and how to form the letters correctly using active learning and visuals. Once children know the first set of Speed Sounds, they are ready to read the first Storybooks and will be given a book to read at home. Please help your child to read the books they will bring home each week. They may seem short stories at first but repetition of reading this book can help with understanding the text and learning to becoming a more fluent reader.  

Environment

At Shaw Primary Academy, we have a beautiful outdoor learning area which the children use on a free flow basis. The whole of the EYFS area, both indoor and out is designed to provide continuous provision covering all areas of the curriculum. Each area is equipped with various learning resources that stimulate play. We recognise that the Early Years should be built upon learning through play. Play is based around prior learning and building upon the children’s interests to ensure each child has an enjoyable and satisfying learning experience. Additionally, we make sure the learning activities provided are age-appropriate and are planned with the prime areas (Personal, Social and Emotional, Communication and Language and Physical Development) and specific areas of learning planned for.

Safety

Children’s safety and welfare are paramount to the us at Shaw Primary Academy. We provide an environment which is safe and allows children to make their own judgements and assess their own risks. We ensure that all areas, including the outside area, have sufficient members of staff to safeguard all children. We risk -assess all areas and equipment to ensure they are safe. We also appoint four safety monitors per term to safely check the outdoor area before free flow and report back to the class on advise on how to keep safe and ready for exploring the outdoor area. 

Parents/Carers please get involved...

We believe it is vital that the parents have positive influence and involvement in their children’s education to develop their learning in a wider context.  Our Early Years Teachers are available for quick updates at the beginning and end of the day, but longer messages can always be relayed via our school office. We encourage parents to let us know about their child's learning at home, their comments about school and the learning from school that they share with you. They may communicate to you at home something they may not be able to communicate to us at school ; all of which we can add to their learning journey.

Please complete a 'wow moments' sheet of any moments you are proud of at home; we will share these together and display them.

We have some informative parent meetings throughout the year; you will be invited through email or parent text message. 

Parents and/or carers are kept up to date with their child’s progress and development through regular parent’s evenings and progress reports.

For information about registering your child for a place in our nursery, or to request a visit for prospective reception children, please contact the school at:

Tel: 01708 852367

Or email

FPSO@shawprimary.thurrock.sch.uk