Successful personal, emotional and social development is critical for young children. It affects all aspects of their lives and all areas of their learning. It is all about them having belief in themselves. developing social competence, developing respect for others and a positive disposition to learn. Children take part in regular circle time and sharing activities , designed to develop confidence and speaking and listening skills.

The school follows the PATHS programme (Promoting Alternative Thinking Stratergies) and each day a 'PATHS person of the day' is selected. The children learn to give and take compliments and think carefully about their own and others feelings. 

Developing children's speaking and listening skills is integral to them becoming confident readers and writers. We ensure that children have many opportunities to develop their social skills, articulation and vocabulary through regular speaking and listening activities in both large and small groups

Physical development in the Early Years Foundation Stage is about improving the children's skills of co-ordination, control, movement and manipulation. The children feel the benefits of physical exercise. They also gain confidence in what they can do. Nursery and Reception children take part in regular P.E and Dance lessons, where the focus is on improving coordination, stamina, perseverance and specific skills using balls, bats and a wide variety of other equipment. Physical skills are constantly developed in the classroom, through manipulating paintbrushes, pencils and tools. The children practise their gross motor skills constantly in the outdoor area, when riding bikes, balancing and handling equipment. 

Ensuring that children become independent readers and writers is at the heart of our curriculum as we believe that acquiring these skills, enables the children to excel at a wealth of other subjects. Children learn to write for a variety of purposes through both adult-led and child initiated activities. They are read to and learn to read a wide range of books and texts as well as developing vital phonic skills, through daily phonics sessions. During the year, we focus on a variety of 'Core Stories', which the children become familiar with and reading and writing activities are often based around.

Children's mathematical development comes from being immersed in a rich and interesting environment. They need to become confident and competent in learning and using key mathematical skills. This aspect of learning involves the children counting, sorting, matching, looking for patterns and relationships and working with number, shapes, space and measure. 

Here, the focus is on developing the knowledge, skills and understanding that help children to make sense of their world. It forms a sound foundation for later work in science, design technology, history, geography and computing. Activities are based on a wide range of first-hand experiences that promote exploration, investigation, problem solving and decision making.

Children have access to a wide variety of materials and resources that enable them to develop their creative skills. As well as being taught specific techniques, much of their learning comes through first-hand experiences and exploration.