Information for parents

Information for parents

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Foundation

Foundation Stage 1 - 2 Ages 3 - 5

Foundation Course

At Wingate we provide our students with a wide variety of learning experiences which will be the foundation for their continual learning and development throughout their time at Wingate School.

Students begin their journey at Wingate in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Comprising only two classes, with children from 3 years old, each day is full of experiences, excitement and learning! The children are taught and guided by experienced professionals, who constantly endeavour to cater for each child’s needs in their care and the children are provided with a wide range of activities to develop their independence, skills and knowledge in the seven areas of learning of the British EYFS curriculum. 

Each class has access to an outside area where they can explore, work and play. Opportunities are provided for all our Foundation Stage children to meet and learn. A huge emphasis is on involving parents in the children’s learning process through talking, photos,  videos, weekly emails and concerts. Children, Parents and Teachers are one important team and communication is vital for optimum results and enjoyment!

By the end of Foundation Stage 2, we have increasing links with Year 1 to assist the smooth transition into the start of Primary. Providing the children with an excited outlook to progress to the next level of their learning!

Curriculum overview

The essence of the Wingate Education

“Our aim is to provide the children with a wide variety of learning experiences which will be the FOUNDATIONS for their continued learning/development throughout the school. Comprising two classes, with children as young as 3 years old, each day is full of experiences, excitement and learning!”

Miss Pearson

Foundation Stage 1

Communication and Language Development

The development of children’s spoken language underpins all seven areas of learning and development. It involves providing opportunities to speak and listen in a range of situations and develop their confidence and skill in expressing themselves.
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Children’s personal, social and emotional development is crucial for children to lead healthy and happy lives. It involves helping the children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others and to have confidence in their own abilities. The children are encouraged to play cooperatively, learning how to share and take turns. It would be hoped that during this year they form good relationships with other children and adults.
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Physical Development

Physical activity is vital in children’s all-round development, enabling them to pursue happy, healthy and actives lives. This involves providing opportunities for the children to be active and interactive and to develop their coordination, control and movement. In Foundation 1 we help the children to understand the importance of physical activity and to make healthy choices in relation to food.
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Literacy

Comprehension and word reading – The children regularly listen to and join in with stories and rhymes. They are encouraged to look at books independently and to describe the main story settings, events and principal characters. In this year it would be expected that most children would learn to recognise their name and be aware of letters in signs and labels etc.
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Mathematics

Developing a strong grounding in number is essential so that all children develop the necessary building blocks to excel mathematically. By the end of the year, many children will be able to recognise and write numbers to 10. They will be able to subitize to 5, count reliably up to 10, find the total number of objects and begin to have an awareness of numbers in everyday life. The children will be able to name some shapes and use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, position and length.

Understanding the World

This involves guiding the children to make sense of their physical world and their community. Throughout their time in our Foundation Stage the children are encouraged to show interest in the world around them, to talk about the things they observe and show care and concern for living things and the environment. The children are encouraged to talk about the things that make us unique and be aware of some of the similarities and differences in relation to other children and family members.

Expressive Arts and Design

The development of children’s artistic and cultural awareness supports their imagination and creativity. This involves supporting children to explore and play with a range of media and materials – art, music, movement, dance and role play. Over the year the children will learn simple songs and can explore and learn how to make and change sounds using a variety of musical instruments.
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Foundation Stage 2

Communication and Language

The real focus is developing the children ́s speech, vocabulary and understanding in English. They need to understand the importance of listening, be able to ask questions and give their ideas. There is a huge emphasis on stories – listening to, discussing, answering questions and using new vocabulary.

Literacy

We use Jolly Phonics to teach the letter sounds, help children to read and spell simple words phonetically. The children may have little packets with sounds/ words or activities to practise at home and reading books are brought home to read and talk about. Comprehension work is also completed later in the year, relating to books explored together from the Oxford Reading Tree scheme.
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Mathematics

We use the White Rose Maths scheme as our basic scheme. The children will be involved in counting to 10, then 20, and by the Summer term we look at numbers to 100. By the end of the year the children should be able to read, write, order and use numbers to 20. There is a strong emphasis on practical maths so not necessarily any paperwork to show!
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development

We want our children to be independent little learners. They should be able to select and use resources and activities independently and carry out many activities away from the teachers ́ help. We need to learn how to concentrate on our given  ́jobs ́ and to persevere even when things are difficult!
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Understanding the World

We cover three main topics throughout the year. These enable children to learn a little of the world around them, to ask questions and find out how things work, find out about the past and present and chat about what they know and have learned. However, we also take on board the children ́s interests so many more areas may be covered!
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Expressive Arts and Design

The children are involved in a Christmas show, but we try to do extra little performances throughout the year. They will learn a large number of songs! In their weekly music lessons they are also shown how to use percussion instruments and explore pitch (high and low), rhythm and dynamics (loud and quiet).
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Physical Development

Fine motor skills are developed through drawing, cutting and small construction activities. Large scale movements are developed through:

  • Dance – listening to instructions and music and responding accordingly
  • Gymnastics – travelling in different ways showing an awareness of space and safety
  • Outside PE – either using bats, balls and developing throwing and catching skills or
    participating in team games

Spanish

The children have two lessons per week, grouped according to their ability/understanding of Spanish. We feel it is important for the children to be able to communicate with others, however simply. These lessons will help the children become familiar with the Spanish language at an early age.

How to help at home

Reading – If your child has a little packet of words / pictures/ activities please try to go through them every night – only for 5 or 10 minutes to help your child remember the new vocabulary. Reading books should also be shared at least twice a week to help fluency and understanding.
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Documents download

Useful documents for parents

Foundation Stage 1 Curriculum

Foundation Stage 2 Curriculum

What’s next after Foundation?

The next step for your child on their Wingate journey. Explore Primary.

Primary

Age 5 - 11

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