Strong Foundations at Grateley Primary School
At Grateley Primary School, we believe that strong foundations are essential for
every child's future success. We are committed to ensuring that all children develop
the knowledge, skills, confidence and positive learning behaviours they need to
flourish, both in school and beyond.
We recognise that learning builds over time. Children need secure foundations
in communication and language, reading, writing and mathematics, alongside
the personal, social and emotional skills that enable them to become confident and independent learners.
Building Knowledge for the Future
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to build on children's prior knowledge and understanding. Through high-quality teaching, explicit modelling, regular practice
and opportunities to revisit learning, we help children develop secure knowledge that they can remember and apply in new contexts.
We place particular importance on developing language and vocabulary, ensuring
children have opportunities to talk, listen, question, explain their thinking and
communicate confidently. Early reading, including the systematic teaching of phonics (through Little Wandle), is prioritised so that children develop the skills and
confidence to become fluent, enthusiastic readers.
Explicit teaching of vocabulary is also prioritised in every lesson and we do this
through our vocabulary grids.
We also prioritise oracy in very lesson in every subject and there is a focus for every unit of learning which enables the children to use language to communicate and understand information.
We focus on children building their fine motor strength in the early years and over time pencil grip and letter formation so that all children can write fluently. We use the Kinetic Letters Programme.
We teach children to spell common exceptions words correctly within their age range. For example in Year 1, we want the children to spell, the, with, said, put, you etc. and this builds up to year 6. We want all children to have strong foundations to build progressive knowledge and skills upon.
In mathematics, we develop children's understanding of number, mathematical language and problem-solving, establishing the foundations they need to access increasingly challenging concepts as they progress through school.
Learning through Experience
We believe that children benefit from a rich range of learning experiences. Through classroom learning, practical activities, outdoor learning and our Forest School provision, children have opportunities to explore, investigate, develop curiosity and make connections between their learning and the world around them.
These experiences help children develop independence, resilience, creativity and a sense of responsibility, supporting their academic and personal development as well as their fine and gross motor skills.
At Grateley Primary School, we believe that by getting the strong foundations right, we give every child the best possible start for the future.