Kirkburton CE First School

Based on the Underlying Principles of the EYFS, the Characteristics of Effective Learning and the Prime and Specific Areas of learning and development in early years, we strongly believe that children thrive in their education when they are invested in as individuals and regarded as co-constructors of their own learning. We pride ourselves on a child-centred approach to teaching and learning in which children’s own choices, interests, needs and strengths are used to inform how we interact with, observe and teach children during both their play-based learning and planned lessons. We strive to nurture children’s imagination and curiosity and encourage enquiry-based learning and experimentation. Our goal is to develop a love of learning within every child so that they can begin their journey through school with a positive and conscientious attitude towards their own progress and future successes at Kirkburton CE First School and beyond.

Members of both the school’s EYFS team and Senior Leadership Team aim to work closely with parents throughout children’s reception year and beyond to ensure that every child’s learning and developmental needs are met as fully as possible.

In children’s reception year this is achieved in the following ways:

• The Class Reception teacher visiting children in their nursery settings during the summer term before children join school in the following autumn.
• Parents attending an admissions meeting held by members of the school’s EYFS team and SLT during the summer term before children join school the following autumn..
• Children visiting school in small groups and as a whole class during the summer term before they start school in September. On these visits we invite nursery staff and parents to support children.
• Parents and children having one to one meetings with the Class Reception teacher and teaching assistant(s) during the phased transition week in Spetember when children start school. 
• Parents receive a brief overview of their child’s first week in school to reassure them about how thier child has settled. 
• Parents Evening in the autumn term to discuss how children have settled into school, outcomes of the Reception Baseline Assessment and next steps to support learning and development. During these meetings the teacher will also provide a home learning pack to support children’s home reading and parents will have the opportunity to ask any questions regarding the introduction of phonics and support for early reading.
• Parents Evening in the spring term to discuss children’s progress towards meeting the Early Learning Goals and any additional support that may be needed.
• School reports published in the summer term, summarising children’s individual EYFS Profiles and achievement of the ELGs. Reports will suggest next steps for reading, writing and mathematics that should be carried into the next school year and support children’s transition into year one.
• Observations and summative assessment overviews shared with parents on a termly basis to keep them informed of their child’s learning and development.
• Reading record books are used weekly by practitioners and parents to communicate children’s progress in their early reading.
• Parents are invited to ‘Stay and Play’ sessions during the autumn and spring term where they will have the opportunity to work on planned activities with their children in the reception classroom and early years outdoor area.
• Parents are invited to whole school events such as Gold Assemblies, the Harvest festival, Christmas productions and Easter celebrations.

In Class Reception we are taught by Miss Davies. 

Mrs Wallis also helps us with all of our learning every day.

Mrs Morton covers our class on a Wednesday morning and teaches us PSHE and PE.