Strong Foundations
At our school, we are committed to building strong foundations that enable every child to thrive, now and in the future. Our approach is closely aligned with the principles set out in Strong foundations in the first years of school, recognising that children’s early experiences, relationships and learning opportunities are critical to their long-term success. We place a strong emphasis on developmentally appropriate practice, high-quality interactions and a curriculum that secures the essential foundations for learning, wellbeing and achievement.
Our support for strong foundations begins well before children formally join us. Through our 0-5 approach, we work closely with families to support children’s early development from birth. Our Bloom and Brew programme offers a welcoming and inclusive range of workshops, guest speakers, parent / carer information sessions, shared sessions for parents and carers to attend with babies and toddlers, alongside regular events such as coffee mornings in order to build a supportive community and network. These sessions focus particularly on communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, and physical development, helping families to build confidence and understanding of how young children learn and develop.
Alongside this, our Little Bluebells Nursery provision (for children aged 2 and 3 years old) provides a high-quality, nurturing environment staffed by highly trained practitioners who support all children to thrive and develop the skills they need to be ready for the next stage of their learning journey. Our Bluebells Nursery (for children aged 3 and 4 years old) builds on this strong start, offering rich learning experiences across all areas of the EYFS and ensuring children are well prepared for Reception.
Throughout EYFS and Key Stage 1, we prioritise the development of foundational skills that children need to succeed across the curriculum. We clearly identify these key skills and carefully track children’s progress against them throughout the year, allowing us to respond quickly and effectively to individual needs. Our curriculum is broad, ambitious and inclusive, supporting children to thrive across all seven areas of the EYFS while securing the essential foundations in communication and language, early reading and writing, mathematics, and physical development. A detailed and well-planned transition from EYFS into Key Stage 1 ensures continuity, consistency and sustained support, so that children continue to build securely on what they already know and can do.
Alongside academic foundations, we place strong emphasis on the development of social skills, emotional literacy, characteristics of effective learning and children’s executive functions. Through carefully designed learning experiences, high-quality adult interactions and consistent expectations, children are supported to develop curiosity, resilience, self-regulation, independence and the ability to plan, focus and reflect. This focus begins in EYFS and continues through Key Stage 1 and into Key Stage 2, recognising that these skills are essential for lifelong learning and success both in and beyond school.
Our Year 1 provision reflects our commitment to a developmentally appropriate approach that meets children where they are. We offer flexibility and adaptation within the curriculum, with a continued focus on securing foundational skills and supporting children who may not yet have met a Good Level of Development, whilst enabling all children to thrive and develop curiosity and a love of learning. Learning is delivered through a thoughtful balance of whole-class teaching, targeted adult-led focus groups and planned opportunities for children to learn through play. Our continuous provision environment is carefully designed, with well-chosen resources and purposeful enhancements that respond to the specific needs of each cohort, enabling children to apply and deepen their learning in meaningful and engaging ways.
In Year 2 and beyond in KS2, children who are still developing these foundational skills are identified and supported with a targeted, individual approach to ensure they continue to make progress towards securing them.
Through this coherent and carefully sequenced approach, we ensure that strong foundations underpin everything we do. By working in partnership with families, investing in high-quality early provision and maintaining a sharp focus on children’s development, learning and wellbeing, we support every child to flourish and to be well prepared for the next stage of their education.