Children start Foundation One in the September after their third birthday. The Early Years Foundation Stage is a two-year phase.
There are 4 classes in Foundation One and Foundation Two. Each year group has its own base where classes surround a well equipped and spacious shared activity area.
Class size does not exceed 22, where possible. Teaching assistants support the class teachers in the delivery of the curriculum and specialist teachers deliver the programme for music, ICT and PE.
The learning environments are well resourced and maintained providing the pupils with a range of multi sensory activities. Display is valued and celebrates the children’s work across all curriculum areas.
The pupils have a dedicated play area featuring a range of activities, including wheeled vehicles, keeping them fully occupied at break times! Specialist teaching rooms for ICT (Foundation Two), Music and PE complete the department facilities.
The school day begins at 7.40 am for Foundation One when pupils are welcomed into class in preparation for an 8.00am start. Doors open in Foundation Two at 7.35am with the school day starting at 7.45am.
Break time in Foundation One is at 9.30 am with Foundation Two children having their break time at 9.40 and 11.40 am. The children get the opportunity to play outdoors and eat their packed lunch indoors. Foundation children spend an increased amount of time outdoors during the cooler months with art, physical, creative, mathematical and language tasks and resources available outside!
Foundation One children finish at 12.00 noon. Foundation Two children finish at 2.00 pm and parents are invited to collect their children from the classroom.
Meet the Teams:
Foundation One
Back Row: Pauline Morrison, Amy Cowin, Suzanne Webb
Middle Row: Laura Murray, Clare Williams, Tina McGovern
Front Row: Nina Hijazi, Kim Beynon, Janet Skelton
Foundation Two
Back Row: Karen McKee, Heather French, Sian Donovan
Middle Row: Gina Bowie, Harina Shetty, Charlotte Thompson
Front Row: Janet Skelton
Curriculum
Children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, based around six areas of learning. The emphasis throughout the Foundation Stage is on engaging the children in first-hand learning experiences with a very strong emphasis on play and early communication skills. Subject specialists deliver music, PE and ICT (Foundation Two).
Opportunities to enrich the curriculum area developed through trips and visitors. For example, Foundation One visit the aquarium at the Burj Al Arab as part of their ‘Under the Sea’ topic. Foundation Two visit the fruit and vegetable market as part of their study of food from around the world.
Similarly, visitors with special skills and experience are invited into class.