The Curriculum

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the children follow the EYFS curriculum which starts at birth and finishes at the age of five.  The children's learning is based around seven areas of learning, three prime and four specific areas.

The three prime areas are: Communication and Language (CL), Physical Development (PD) and Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED).

The four Specific areas are: Literacy, Maths, Understanding the World and the Expressive Arts.

Our children learn through play, and the play is free-flow between inside and outside all year round.  Our teachers are experienced, qualified practitioners who have a deep understanding of young children, how they learn, how they grow and how to make sure that each child achieves their full potential at each stage of the EYFS, using the Characteristics of Effective Learning.  The children are encouraged to have a go, persevere, think and question their learning which prepares them for the next stage of their learning.

All of these areas of learning give the children a broad, creative and balanced curriculum before they begin on the Key Stage 1 curriculum.

Key Stage 1 Curriculum

The Key Stage runs in Years 1 & 2, and we organise the eleven national curriculum subjects into the seven areas of learning (as above), which provides progression of learning from the Foundation Stage. English, Mathematics, Science, Computing and RE are core subjects. Through a creative topic-based approach, skills and knowledge learned in dedicated subject time are used and applied thus deepening and mastering understanding. First hand experiences in independent learning activities reinforce and provide a challenge to extend learning at each child’s level.

Children in Year 1 begin working on the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1.  This transition is purposefully planned and is a gradual transition. 

Phonics underpins all early reading and writing and is an incredibly important element of children’s learning. At Ewhurst our children follow a fully systamtice and syntheic phonics program called Essential Letters and Sounds

At the end of Year 2 all children are teacher assessed for the statutory End of Key Stage 1 Assessment, which is reported to parents.

Children can be taught as a whole class, in small mixed ability groups or similar ability groups, as well as on an individual basis. A range of teaching strategies are employed to support the learning styles of all children. Interactive whiteboards and a delightful learning environment provide superb learning and teaching opportunities for the children. Our spacious and purpose built outdoor environments effectively support independent learning opportunities.

A 'Toolkit for Learning' is used by pupils to make explicit to the children the skills they need to become lifelong learners.  These are divided into four areas: resilience, resourcefulness, reflectiveness and reciprocity.

As a school, we work hard to develop a 'growth mindset', so children understand that successful learning takes time and practise, along with a 'have a go' attitude.

Religious Education

Classes have a dedicated RE lesson each week following the Guildford Diocesan guidelines. The school follows the Christian calendar of specific events eg, Harvest, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Mothering Sunday.  In addition to RE teaching, special events and pause days enhance the children's spiritual development.

Assemblies

Assemblies are an important part of school life. These acts of worship follow the church year; the Rector takes weekly assemblies.  A celebration assembly is held each week when children receive certificates and awards for personal achievement. 

Out of School achievements

As a school community there is also an opportunity to celebrate out of school achievements, such as sporting and musical awards.

Please see the termly class information for a more detailed curriculum information.