Intent: At Gatehouse Primary Academy, we believe that every child in their early years deserves to learn in a nurturing, safe, stimulating, and creative environment that sparks awe and wonder, encourages exploration, and fosters positive relationships with both peers and adults. Our mission is to help children achieve their fullest potential by providing a play-based curriculum that inspires growth, promotes resilience, and challenges them to strive for accuracy as they thrive and develop.

In the EYFS, planning will be adjusted according to the interests and needs of the children. Throughout all learning and our half-termly big questions, we will ensure activities and interactions support the characteristics of learning.

Characteristics of Learning:

Playing and exploring – Engagement: Finding out and exploring, playing with what they know, being willing to ‘have a go’

Active learning – Motivation: Being involved and concentrating, Keeping trying, enjoying achieving what they set out to do

Creating and thinking critically – Thinking: Having their own ideas, making links, choosing ways to do things.

Implement: At Gatehouse Primary Academy learning takes place through a balance of child-initiated learning and the direct teaching of skills. The learning environment allows children to practise and apply the skills we teach in a purposeful and meaningful way. Our carefully planned provision, direct teaching, positive teacher- child interactions and continuous reflections will ensure our children are:

 active learners. We value that when learning is initiated by the child the drive and desire to succeed is greater.

 creative and critical thinkers. We value that when the learning is initiated by the child they will make links to previous knowledge and lay the foundations for future learning.

 well-regulated and sociable through the modelling of positive interactions and language. We understand that self- regulation is fundamental for a child to manage their own behaviour and aspects of their learning.

 thriving in an enabling environment which is warm, welcoming, nurturing, facilitates a sense of belonging and respects cultural capital. All staff work tirelessly to ensure that we promote a love or learning which will continue throughout their education at Gatehouse Primary Academy.

 collaborative learners. We value that children learn significantly from each other and provide an environment that encourages co-operation and positive relationships.

 making sustained progress in the specific areas. We understand that there are skills which will need to be taught directly. We value that young children learn best when such teaching is purposeful, builds on a child’s existing knowledge and incorporates the senses.

 supported with additional needs. We recognise the unique practice of nurturing the learning of young children with specific needs. We are aware of the importance of early intervention for children facing specific developmental/ learning challenges and will be proactive in finding the right support structure.

 assisted at home with their learning. We recognise the fundamental role that parents play at home with their child’s education. Communication with parents and carers is facilitated through; home visits, parent evening sessions, online interactive Learning Journeys and conversations with staff. We also run practical sessions throughout the year to help parents and carers in supporting children at home.

 challenged to fulfil their full potential. We continuously observe, evaluate and communicate each stage of a child’s development to ensure their next steps are planned for. This cycle of observing, evaluating and planning ensures that our children are ready for each stage in their educational journey.

Impact: At Gatehouse Primary Academy our children grow as:

 Unique individuals who form positive relationships with adults and peers

 Independent, curious learners who explore and ask meaningful questions

 Confident learners who are ready for the next stage in their learning journey