Welcome to the Early Years Foundation Stage
EYFS Curriculum Rationale
At Mount CofE Primary School, we have designed a bespoke EYFS curriculum that is tailored to meet the unique needs of our diverse pupil population. Our curriculum is underpinned by the principles of the EYFS framework, which provides a strong foundation for children's learning and development. However, we have gone beyond the statutory requirements to create a curriculum that is truly aspirational and responsive to the specific challenges and opportunities present in our school context.
Our EYFS curriculum is founded on the belief that every child has the potential to flourish and succeed, regardless of their background or starting point. We recognise the significant social and economic disadvantages faced by many of our pupils, and we are committed to providing them with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to overcome these barriers and reach their full potential.
To this end, our EYFS curriculum places a strong emphasis on developing the core skills of communication, language, and literacy. We understand that many of our pupils come from homes where English is not the primary language, and we have designed a carefully sequenced programme of phonics, reading, and writing instruction to ensure that all children develop a strong foundation in these essential areas. This focus on language and literacy is not only crucial for academic success, but also supports the development of children's social and emotional skills, enabling them to engage confidently with their peers and the wider world.
In addition to the core academic focus, our EYFS curriculum also places a strong emphasis on personal, social, and emotional development. We recognise that many of our pupils face significant challenges in this area, and we have developed a comprehensive programme of support and intervention to address these needs. This includes a focus on building resilience, self-regulation, and a positive sense of self-worth, as well as providing targeted support for children with identified SEND or behavioural needs.
Our curriculum is also designed to be engaging, challenging, and responsive to the diverse interests and learning styles of our pupils. We have carefully curated a range of high-quality resources and experiences that expose children to a wide range of topics and themes, from traditional stories and nursery rhymes to contemporary children's literature and hands-on exploration of the natural world. Through this carefully structured and sequenced curriculum, we aim to foster a love of learning and a sense of curiosity and wonder that will serve our pupils well throughout their educational journey.
Importantly, our EYFS curriculum is closely aligned with the school's overall vision and values, which emphasise the importance of nurturing the unique gifts and talents of each child and empowering them to reach their true potential. By cultivating an environment that celebrates diversity, fosters a deep sense of belonging, and inspires a lifelong love of learning, we are confident that our EYFS curriculum will enable all of our pupils to grow and shine in God's glory.
At Mount CofE Primary School, our EYFS curriculum is a critical component of our broader educational offering, which is designed to support the realisation of our school's vision and values. Our vision statement, "Grow and shine in God's glory," encapsulates our commitment to nurturing the unique gifts and talents of each child, empowering them to reach their true potential and make a positive impact on the world.
Our EYFS curriculum is a vital first step in this journey, providing the foundational knowledge, skills, and experiences that will enable our pupils to build upon and thrive throughout their educational journey. By cultivating an environment that celebrates diversity, fosters a deep sense of belonging, and inspires a lifelong love of learning, we are confident that our EYFS curriculum will lay the groundwork for our pupils to grow and shine in God's glory.
The overarching aim of our EYFS curriculum is to ensure that all children, regardless of their background or starting point, are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions they need to succeed in their future learning and beyond. We believe that a strong foundation in the core areas of communication, language, and literacy, as well as personal, social, and emotional development, is essential for children to thrive and reach their full potential.
Our EYFS curriculum is designed to be responsive to the unique needs and challenges faced by our diverse pupil population, many of whom come from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. By prioritising the development of essential skills and providing targeted support and intervention where needed, we are confident that our EYFS curriculum will enable all of our pupils to make strong progress and lay the groundwork for their future success.
Importantly, our EYFS curriculum is closely aligned with the school's overall improvement priorities, which include a focus on ensuring that there is a clear curriculum and strategy for the Early Years Foundation Stage, leading to school readiness. By developing a comprehensive and coherent EYFS curriculum, we are confident that we will be able to address this priority and ensure that all of our pupils are well-prepared for the transition to Key Stage 1 and beyond.
Effective communication with stakeholders will be crucial to the successful implementation and ongoing refinement of our EYFS curriculum. To this end, we will employ a range of strategies to ensure that our curriculum rationale and approach are clearly understood and supported by our school community.
First and foremost, we will engage in regular dialogue with our parents and carers, recognising the critical role they play in supporting their children's learning and development. This will include sharing our curriculum rationale and vision through parent information sessions, newsletters, and one-on-one meetings, as well as providing regular updates on their child's progress and any additional support or interventions that may be in place.
We will also work closely with our local community partners, such as the St Mary Magdalene Church and the Diocese, to ensure that our EYFS curriculum is aligned with the values and priorities of the wider community. By forging strong partnerships and open lines of communication, we can ensure that our curriculum is responsive to the needs and aspirations of our local context.
Finally, we will prioritise the professional development and ongoing support of our EYFS teaching staff, recognising that the successful implementation of our curriculum will depend on their deep understanding and commitment to its underlying principles and approaches. This will include regular training sessions, opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, and ongoing coaching and mentoring to ensure that our teachers are equipped to deliver a high-quality EYFS experience for all of our pupils.
The curriculum rationale outlined above directly addresses the key areas for improvement identified in the most recent Ofsted inspection feedback for Mount CofE Primary School.
Firstly, the strong focus on developing the core skills of communication, language, and literacy, as well as personal, social, and emotional development, directly responds to the need to ensure that there is a clear curriculum and strategy for the Early Years Foundation Stage, leading to school readiness. By prioritising these essential areas, we are confident that our EYFS curriculum will provide a solid foundation for our pupils' future learning and success.
Additionally, the comprehensive programme of support and intervention for children with identified SEND or behavioural needs, as well as the emphasis on building resilience and self-regulation, addresses the need to ensure that provision for pupils with SEND is strong. By taking a holistic and tailored approach to supporting the diverse needs of our pupil population, we are confident that our EYFS curriculum will enable all children to achieve to the best of their ability.
Finally, the alignment of our EYFS curriculum with the school's overall vision, values, and improvement priorities, as well as the commitment to ongoing communication and collaboration with stakeholders, demonstrates a clear strategy for developing the school's Christian identity and ensuring that subject leaders have a strong understanding and ownership of their respective curricula.
By addressing these key areas for improvement through the design and implementation of our EYFS curriculum, we are confident that we will be able to continue to build on the progress made and ensure that Mount CofE Primary School continues to flourish as a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together in God's name.