Keep up to date with school news and events. Please click on headlines to read more.
In Year 1, we are committed to creating a playful curriculum because we know that play is one of the most powerful ways young children learn.
Research shows that play helps children develop not only academically, but socially, emotionally, and physically too. Through playful learning, children become curious, confident, and motivated to explore the world around them.
In our classrooms, play is purposeful. It allows children to:
As children move from Reception into Year 1, maintaining opportunities for play supports this important transition. It helps them feel secure while continuing to challenge and extend their learning.
By using the power of play, we aim to create a learning environment where children are engaged, excited, and able to thrive. Play is not separate from learning — it is a vital part of it.
We look forward to working together to support your child on this exciting journey.
Exciting News: We Are Becoming an OPAL School!
We are delighted to share that our school is beginning its journey with Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)
OPAL is a nationally recognised programme that helps schools improve the quality of play opportunities for children. Through this approach, we aim to enrich playtimes by creating more varied, imaginative, and inclusive outdoor experiences that support children’s happiness, wellbeing, and development.
Research shows that high-quality play is essential for children’s physical health, social skills, emotional resilience, creativity, and problem-solving. By developing our outdoor spaces and play provision, we want every child to have greater freedom to explore, create, take appropriate risks, and build confidence.
As part of our OPAL journey, you may notice changes to our outdoor environment, including the introduction of loose parts, natural materials, and new opportunities for adventurous play. This may sometimes mean children come home a little muddier than usual, but it also means they are learning, growing, and thriving through rich play experiences.
We value the support of our families and will be sharing ways you can get involved, including donations of resources and ideas to help us shape our play environment.
We are excited about the positive impact this will have on all our children and look forward to sharing our progress with you.