ISI Inspection Comments The pupils have an outstanding attitude to learning and their achievement, academically and in extra-curricular activities, is good and often excellent. Pupils throughout the school have good knowledge and skills for their age and abilities over the full range of subjects and in other activities outside the classroom, and their achievements are sometimes outstanding. The attitude of all pupils towards their work is excellent, and it is one of the school’s notable strengths.

At Donhead we follow the guidelines set out by the government, and teach according to the six areas of learning:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication, language and literacy
• Mathematical development
• Knowledge and understanding of the world
• Physical development
• Creative development

It should be noted, however, that more emphasis is placed on the Year 1 Curriculum during the Foundation Stage. Obviously we are aware that pupils enter the Foundation Stage at various stages of maturity and academic development. We cater for children’s individual needs within each area of the curriculum, building on and from their existing understanding and experiences. In our experience, however, the majority of children in the Reception Class benefit from exposure to the Year 1 curriculum through the year.

Personal Social & Emotional Development

We value each and every child as an individual, and provide a supportive environment where they learn to trust others, co-operate and develop self-confidence. Independence and responsibility for their own belongings are encouraged. Children learn appropriate behaviour, how to share and to respect and appreciate other people.

Communication, Language and Literacy

Literacy in the Early Years is approached through practical, inspiring activities and children are encouraged to talk and communicate their ideas.

Your child will enjoy a variety of stories and rhymes, and be introduced to the language of books and how to handle them. This is an important stage of learning to read.

In Reception the children will develop their reading skills. During the first term, the class teacher will send home high frequency words, which Reception children should be familiar with by the end of the year. In addition, the children will choose books for themselves from the class. These are to be read and shared to enable the use of reading cues while reading.

Children will develop their phonic skills to encourage early writing and develop fine motor control through a number of hands-on activities.

Mathematical Development

In Mathematics children will have lots of experiences, which will teach them to count, sort objects, make and copy patterns, write numbers and recognise shapes. Every opportunity is taken to use mathematical language in other activities. During the Reception year, the children will be introduced to basic calculations and problem-solving, as well as exploring different ways of recording their mathematical ideas. There is also a focus upon developing the children’s mental calculation skills.

Knowledge and Understanding

This includes RE, ICT, Design Technology, History, Geography and Science. These are taught through class topics. Basic computer skills are taught through a variety of programmes.

Creative Development

Your child will have the opportunity to explore a variety of media and materials. Painting, modelling, collage, drawing and printing are just some of the activities. Please make sure that you have plenty of wall space ready! There are weekly music lessons where the children experiment with their voices and instruments, and learn many different songs.

Physical Development

Your child will have the opportunity to play safely, both indoors and outdoors. Activities include PE, music and movement, using small and large apparatus and games where children learn how to throw and catch and work as part of a group. The children also have the opportunity to develop physically and confidently using bikes, trikes and specific climbing equipment.