Key Information & Policies
Curriculum, Homework, Remote Learning and Extracurricular Activities
Back to Key InformationOur vision is for the curriculum to foster creative thought, expression and experience through collaborative, relevant and connected learning of knowledge and skill that prepares young people to be successful, lifelong learners and holistic, valuable members of 21st century society.
At Prendergast Primary, we are passionately committed to providing a holistic curriculum that enables every child, regardless of background, to thrive. We believe that all children should feel valued and successful through accomplishment within a full spectrum of academic, cultural and practical activities that enrich their lives, developing confidence and resilience to face any challenge.
We carefully balance the requirement for pupils to reach national expectations through cross-curriculum links and practical application of core and foundation subjects. We find it hugely important to give equal balance to all subject areas, through indoor and outdoor learning, after school clubs, trips and home learning projects.
Our curriculum is designed to change the nature of children’s thinking, encouraging a deeper level of understanding rather than simply an acquiring of knowledge. It is vital for children to develop their critical thinking skills and creativity in order to leave our school as successful independent learners, able to make valuable contributions to the wider world. We ensure a breadth of learning across all areas of the curriculum, with questions at the center of our pedagogical approaches. We encourage a learning initiative, creating independent learners with a growth mindset.
We cultivate a love for learning by not merely covering the curriculum but by nurturing children’s individual interests and aspirations through thoughtful and enriching experiences that enable children to thrive and achieve as a result.
Early Years Foundation Stage
Early Years Foundation Stage
Our purpose built Reception unit consists of two interlinked classrooms where children from Duckling and Cygnet Classes learn together as part of free flow time. Our children love engaging in a wide range of learning opportunities both inside the classrooms and in the outside area. Our children are encouraged to learn outside in all weathers - we provide wet weather clothing and regularly visit our Nature Reserve and Ladywell Fields to extend our children's outdoor learning experiences.
Your child's journey to early years
We don't have a school Nursery at Prendergast Primary, therefore we provide lots of opportunities for our Reception pupils to visit us before they start school.
Our transition events in the Summer term before pupils start school include:
Taster mornings
Parent and Child lunches
Music and Drama workshops
Our Family Picnic
An invite to our Summer Fair
A visit at home from the Class Teacher and Early Years Practitioner
By the time our children start school our aim is for them to be familiar with our staff, some of our routines and our school building. This enables our Reception pupils to settle very quickly.
Their First Weeks
Starting school is an exciting time for all of us. Parents are encouraged to stay with their children for the first 15 minutes of the school day. During this time we encourage parents and younger siblings to engage with their children in the learning opportunities set out in the classroom. We use the Class Dojo APP as a secure messaging service and also keep parents updated with pictures of their children's learning in progress as well. The APP also supports our positive behaviour system, with parents, teachers and pupils being able to share in the successes of the day.
We feel it really important that we have a strong parent, teacher relationship so we continue to give parents the opportunity to stay for the first 15 minutes of each morning throughout the school year. Some parents choose to stay every day and some dip in and out where their schedule allows - all visits are welcome. We also encourage all of our parents to join our PTA as well as inviting them to volunteer in school and on school visits.
Learning Inside And Outside The Classroom
Our purpose built Reception unit consists of two interlinked classrooms where children from Duckling and Cygnet Classes learn together as part of free flow time. Our children love engaging in a wide range of learning opportunities both inside the classrooms and in the outside area. Our children are encouraged to learn outside in all weathers - we provide wet weather clothing and regularly visit our Nature Reserve and Lady well Fields to extend our children's outdoor learning experiences.
Reading at Prendergast Primary
Engaging children to have a love of books and reading is vital to their development. We encourage our children to take books home as often as possible to share with their parents and carers. Our new building will have its own dedicated library area where parents and children will have the opportunity to borrow books.
As their reading develops our children are encouraged to take home a book linked to our phonics programme 'Read Write Inc.'. Children will bring home a book that they are confident in reading to foster a sense of achievement and success.
Phonics and reading workshops give parents and carers the opportunity to find out more about our phonics programme and how they can support their children at home.
Home Learning In Early Years
In our Reception classes at Prendergast Primary we have a Home Learning programme which is designed to support our children with their reading and writing, and also to foster a love of books.
We ask that parents:
Share a book with their children every night
Encourage their children to practice their letters and sounds using their writing packs
As children progress to listen to their child read a book from our Read Write Inc. reading scheme
To complete activites linked to our curriculum and topics
Feeling Safe and Confident At Prendergast Primary
We pride ourselves in developing confident, happy and polite young people. Our Reception School Councillors are elected in the Spring Term and share a bi-weekly 'working lunch' with the Head of School and Pastoral and Welfare Leader. Our children are encouraged to take part in fund-raising events and develop an early understanding of good citizenship. Our children are also encouraged to take part in our wide range of extra-curricular clubs.
These include:
Drama
Choir
Sports
Dance
Languages
Enrichment Outside The Classroom
An important part of our curriculum are trips and visits. We aim for our children to have at least two trips a term in addition to our outdoor learning opportunities.
Trips in early years may include:
A visit to Godstone Farm
Library and Bookshop visits
Hornimans Museum
A seaside trip
A London Symphony Orchestra experience
