Finch

Welcome to Finch Class

Finch Class is our happy and nurturing Early Years and Key Stage 1 class, where our youngest children learn alongside pupils in Years 1 and 2. We provide a warm, stimulating environment in which every child is known, valued and encouraged to develop confidence, independence and a love of learning.

Our Early Years children learn through a careful balance of adult-led teaching and purposeful play, exploring and developing their knowledge through our indoor and outdoor provision. As children progress through Key Stage 1, teaching becomes increasingly structured while remaining practical, engaging and responsive to their needs.

Phonics, early reading and mathematics are taught in carefully organised groups so that learning is closely matched to each child’s age and stage of development. In other curriculum subjects, children explore the same overarching topic through different learning pathways. The knowledge, skills, activities and expected outcomes are adapted to ensure that every pupil is appropriately supported, stretched and challenged.

Through stories, creative activities, practical experiences and outdoor learning, we help children to become curious, resilient and enthusiastic learners. Our Christian values of love, hope, community, dignity and wisdom underpin all that we do, helping every child to flourish academically, socially and spiritually.

In Finch Class, small beginnings grow into mighty things!

The EYFS Framework

There are seven areas of learning and development within the EYFS framework. All areas are important and inter-connected. Our children’s learning experiences enable them to develop skills and competency in all areas, not just academically but also socially, emotionally and physically.

The seven areas are split into Prime and Specific areas. The three Prime areas which are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and have the language for learning are:

• Communication and Language
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Physical Development

There are also four Specific areas, through which the three prime areas are further strengthened and applied:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

Then, the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning weave through all seven areas of learning. Children in the early years are becoming more powerful learners and thinkers and the characteristics develop as they learn to do new things, acquire new skills, develop socially and emotionally, and become better communicators. Children deepen their understanding by playing, talking, observing, planning, questioning, experimenting, testing, repeating, reflecting and responding to adults and to each other.