How We Learn

Cygnets Nursery

At Cygnets Nursery, we pride ourselves on creating a nurturing and vibrant environment where our youngest learners can truly flourish. The nursery is expertly guided by our leads, Miss Stellitano and Mrs Clarke, whose shared vision and dedication ensure a high standard of care and early education. They are supported by a fantastic and attentive team including Mrs Ladher, Mrs Sultana, and Miss Witcher, all of whom work together to foster a sense of curiosity and belonging in every child. Through their collaborative efforts, the team ensures that each child feels safe, valued, and inspired to explore the world around them.

We offer children the opportunity to attend nursery for the term after their third birthday with the offer of 30 hours or 15 hours per week.

Reception - Tadpoles & Newts

In our Reception classes, we are proud to have two wonderful groups: Tadpoles, taught by Mrs Jackson, and Newts, taught by Mrs Marsh. This expert teaching team is further strengthened by our dedicated Learning Support Team, consisting of Mrs Flatters, Mrs Holloway, Mrs Jones, and Miss Witcher. Operating in a vibrant, open-plan environment, both classes share dynamic learning zones specifically designed to support all areas of the EYFS curriculum. Our approach allows children to move seamlessly between continuous provision, exciting enhancements, and teacher-led focused sessions, empowering them to become independent, curious learners who aren't afraid to challenge themselves.

Core Skills: Daily Phonics sessions build a foundation for early reading and writing, while our Maths curriculum utilizes the Mastering Number program to foster deep mathematical fluency and confidence.
Enrichment: We believe in hands-on, real-world experiences. From Cooking to Forest School, our children explore the natural world and develop creativity within our specialized outdoor learning spaces.
The Power of Story: Storytelling is the heartbeat of our curriculum. We use carefully curated books to help children expand their vocabulary and descriptive language. By sharing familiar stories both indoors and out, we help our pupils build lasting connections between words, ideas, and their own growing imaginations.

Year 1 - Frogs & Toads

In our Year 1 classes, the journey of discovery continues with our dedicated teachers Mrs. Elbourn-Holmes, who leads the Frogs, and Miss Wilson, who leads the Toads. This transition into Key Stage 1 is a pivotal time for building independence and our teaching team is expertly supported by our Learning Support Assistants, Miss Ahmed, Mrs. Calliste, and Miss Aksu. Together, they ensure that every child feels confident as they begin their more formal schooling, fostering a sense of responsibility as pupils manage their own pegs for coats and reading books into school each day.

The School Day is packed with discovery, curriculum & play:

English, Maths, and Phonics remain daily priorities, the children explore a rich breadth of subjects including Science, History, and Music. We balance this hard work with daily playtimes—where healthy snacks and water are always available—and active sessions in PE (twice weekly).
Home-School Partnership: We encourage families to read together at home at least three times a week and engage with our digital challenges on NumBots.

Year 2 - Butterflies & Dragonflies

In our Year 2 classes, the children continue their journey of discovery with our dedicated teachers Mrs. Jordan, who leads the Butterflies, and Mrs. Shaw & Mrs Alexis, who leads the Dragonflies. This teaching team is expertly supported by our Learning Support Assistants, Miss Day and Mrs. Hussain. As the children grow in independence, they each have a dedicated peg for their belongings and are encouraged to bring their reading books into school every day to support their ongoing progress.

Learning & Play: Alongside daily English, Maths, and Phonics, the children explore a broad curriculum including Science, History, and Geography. We balance this with a morning break at 10:05am and lunch at 12:00pm.
PE Days: Physical Education takes place every Monday and Tuesday. On these days, children should come to school dressed in their full PE kits.
We value the support of our families in helping our Year 2 learners flourish. Children are expected to read at home three times a week and practice their number bonds and spellings. Weekly challenges are also set via Spelling Shed and Numbots to build confidence and fluency. By discussing "Knowledge Organisers" and completing the weekly reflection section in their planners together, we can ensure every Butterfly and Dragonfly feels proud of their achievements.

Year 3 - Wagtails & Kingfishers

In our Year 3 classes, we enter the exciting world of Lower Key Stage 2, guided by our dedicated teachers Miss Gibson and Miss Smith. This vital transition year is further strengthened by our fantastic Learning Support Assistants, Mrs. Kupriene and Mrs. Chand, who provide tailored support as the children develop greater academic independence. As the children move up the school, we continue to foster a sense of responsibility, ensuring they are ready to tackle a stimulating curriculum that bridges foundational skills with deeper subject exploration.

The Year 3 Learning Journey

Core Curriculum: Alongside our daily focus on English and Maths, Year 3 begins to delve deeper into broader subjects such as Science, History, and Geography. We emphasize the development of robust reading habits and fluent number recall to prepare children for the challenges of Key Stage 2.
Active Learners: Physical Education and outdoor exploration remain central to our week. Please ensure children come to school in their PE kits on their designated days and remain prepared for the varied hands-on learning opportunities that Year 3 provides.

Year 4 - Mallards & Herons

In Year 4, the children's learning journey is guided by our dedicated teachers, Mrs. Golder and Mr. Padgett. As the pupils move further into Key Stage 2, we place a strong emphasis on developing their independence and responsibility. For those ready for the next step, Year 4 pupils may walk home independently once the appropriate parental consent forms are completed at the office.

The Year 4 School Day

Learning & Curriculum: English and Maths remain daily priorities, complemented by a broad range of subjects throughout the week. Physical activity is key; we hold two PE sessions weekly (one indoor and one outdoor) and participate in Swimming for a half-term.
Reading Culture: Literacy is at our heart. Children should bring their book bags and reading records every day for individual and guided reading sessions. We also enjoy weekly visits to the school library to explore new stories.

Year 5 - Hawks & Eagles

The Year 5 Teachers are Mrs Golder (Hawks) and Miss Smith (Eagles).

Organisation

As the children start Year 5, they will be given school planners, which will contain their home learning and any other important information we wish to share with you. Please ensure this is signed by yourself on a weekly basis and is brought into school daily. This will help the children to develop their independence skills and build their sense of responsibility. Children should also bring their personal reading book into school every day. They will have the opportunity to select books from their classrooms, the Year 5 and 6 library and the main school library.

Each child will be allocated a numbered locker for all of their belongings.

Playtimes

Children have one break time in the morning. During this break they are welcome to bring in a healthy snack. Due to a number of children with severe nut allergies, we would really appreciate your co-operation with keeping our school ‘nut free’. Children can choose to play on the Trim Trail or the Year 5 and 6 playground. If the weather is suitable, the children will also have the opportunity to use the field at lunchtime.

Timetable

English and Maths will be taught daily in their class groups. Children in Year 6 will also have a weekly Grammar focus which will link to their English lessons. More than this, children will also have Science, Humanities and PE lessons as well as French, Music, RE, PSHE and Computing throughout the week.

The School Day

The Key Stage Two gates open at 8.30am. Gates will be closed at 8:50am in readiness for learning to begin. Once the gate is closed, entrance will be via the school office where you will be required to sign your child in. Children are welcome to bring a mobile phone into school with them, however this must be handed into the class teacher where it will be secured in a locked box.

The children will have two sessions of PE per week and will therefore need their PE kit in school at all times. All children will have the opportunity to represent the school at a tournament at some point throughout the year. Please ensure that the PE kit, as with all uniform, is named or labelled and washed regularly.

Home Learning

Home Learning will be sent home on a Friday. These will include an English and Maths challenge, linked to the learning of that week. All home learning will be due in on a Friday where planners will be checked.

How you can help at home?

Please ensure that the ‘Collect your child from school’and ‘Walking home’ consent forms are up to date. Additional copies of this form are held in the main office.
Continue to practise spellings at home.
Keep reading with your children and talking about the text. This will help their reading speed, understanding and their writing ability.
Practise written and mental methods of calculation to maintain speed and accuracy.
Support your child with their weekly home learning. This will be set electronically on a Friday and due in on the following Friday.

Year 6 - Swans & Cranes

Our Teachers are Miss Dowd (Swans) and Mr Rastrick (Cranes).

Organisation

As in the rest of the school children in Year 6 have school planners which will contain their homework and any other important information we wish to share with you. Please ensure this is signed by yourself on a weekly basis and is brought into school daily as this is a good way for the children to prepare themselves for secondary school. Children should also bring their personal reading book into school every day. They will have the opportunity to select books from their classrooms, the Year 5 and 6 library and the main school library.

Each child will be allocated a storage space for their bags and coats. The allocated space will be 30cmx30cmx35cm, so please ensure that bags are of a suitable size.

Playtimes

Children have one break time in the morning. During this break they are welcome to bring in a healthy snack. Due to a number of children with severe nut allergies, we would really appreciate your co-operation with keeping our school ‘nut free’. As in Year 5, children can choose to play on the Trim Trail or the Year 5 and 6 playground. If the weather is suitable, the children will also have the opportunity to use the field at lunchtime.

Timetable

English and Maths will be taught daily in their class groups. Children in Year 6 will also have a weekly Grammar focus which will link to their English lessons. Year 6 children complete daily arithmetic lessons and weekly short tests in readiness for their SATs test towards the end of the year. Children also take part in Foundation subject lessons throughout the week, these include Geography, Science, History, Art, DT and Music.

The School Day

The Key Stage Two gates open at 8.30am. Gates will be closed at 8:40am in readiness for learning to begin. Once the gate is closed, entrance will be via the school office where you will be required to sign your child in. Children are welcome to bring a mobile phone into school with them, however this must be placed into the phone box, in the classroom, at the start of each day.

The children will have two sessions of PE per week and should come into school in their PE kit on these days. All children will have the opportunity to represent the school at a tournament at some point throughout the year. Please ensure that the PE kit, as with all uniform, is named or labelled and washed regularly. Year 6 also have the opportunity to attend a residential visit where they will stay away from home.

Home Learning

Home Learning is set every Friday. Children are expected to complete TTRockstars and EdShed homework each week. Children should continue to read at home at least 3 times per week. As the year progresses, children will have the opportunity to take home revision guides in preparation for their KS2 SATs. At this time, homework will increase to include a Reading, Maths and Grammar challenge. Revision Guides are due on a Monday, and all other homework will be checked on Friday.

How you can help at home?

Please ensure that the ‘Collect your child from school’ and ‘Walking home’ consent forms are up to date. Additional copies of this form are held in the main office.

Continue to practise spellings at home.
Keep reading with your children and talking about the text. This will help their reading speed, understanding and their writing ability.
Practise written and mental methods of calculation to maintain speed and accuracy.

Support your child with their weekly Home Learning tasks.