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>> ABOUT
Our Early Years Unit at Saxon Way Primary School consists of a Nursery class and two Reception classes. We have an open-plan environment and shared outdoor learning spaces.
Curriculum
At Saxon Way, our vision is to support our children to become happy life-long learners through teaching the school`s values; to persevere, be responsible, be respectful, be independent and build successful relationships.
We recognise children`s prior learning and various staring points. The curriculum maximises cross-curricular links and builds strong foundations for their future.
Every child is recognised as a unique individual. We acknowledge and promote children`s interest to provide them with the opportunities to follow their imagination and creativity. We use Learning Detectives to help children to recognise their personal goals that allow them to reflect and aim high. We celebrate differences in our school community and always strive to promote a love of learning.
Phonics
Our Phonics scheme at Saxon Way is Read write Inc. Read Write Inc is an interactive phonics programme that aims to get children reading and writing fast. It is designed for children aged 4 – 7 but can also be used with 8 – 9 year olds to help them catch up.
The programme is rooted in synthetic phonics. Teaching synthetic phonics, in a systematic way, aims to drive up standards in reading and writing. Comprehension skills develop as the children move from learning to read, to reading to understand. The programme builds confidence in grammar, punctuation and spelling ensuring every child becomes a successful reader.
Children are taught phonics every day in small groups and assessed termly. The sessions are fast-paced, interactive and fun.
Please see our RWI lead Ms Rowson modelling some phonic lessons on the school’s YouTube channel:
Parental Support
We actively encourage parents and carers to be involved in their child’s learning journey. Children’s progress is recorded using our online system, Target Tracker, and each child also keeps a Proud Book – a special record of achievements they’re proud of. We invite parents and carers to look through these books regularly and to share with us any learning that has taken place outside of the school environment too.
Strong communication is something we value highly. We keep families informed with regular updates on their child’s progress and hold termly workshops to support parents in understanding and engaging with their child’s education.
“Thank you for all your hard work you put into Harry. Teachers like you all make the world a happier place for a child like Harry. I am so glad that he is with you at Saxon Way”. Parent Testimonial
Open Days
School Tours
School visits are welcomed all year round from new and current families. You can call or email the school office on 01634 336720 or email office@saxonway-gst.org to book in a tour. We conduct tours with no more than three families at a time as we want you have the opportunity to take in all that our school has to offer and answer any questions that you may have.
Nursery Stay and Play Sessions
If you are thinking of joining our Nursery or Reception, we host Stay and Play sessions in our Nursery. We ask that you attend at least two Stay and Play Sessions with your child prior to them starting in our Nursery so that you and your child can familiarise yourselves with the setting. Your child will need to be at a minimum of three years of age to attend.
Nursery age children attending Saxon Way Primary School will not automatically transferred to Reception class. Applications will need to be made through Local Authority for Reception place. The deadline for applications is 31st January every year.
Admissions
Our Nursery offers both 15 and 30 hours provision.
If you wish your child to join our Nursery, applications can be made direct at the School Office. Places are allocated according to age; we are currently admitting children the term after they turn 3. We do 3 intakes per year – September, January and April.
For full time places, you will need to provide your 30-hour eligibility code at the application stage. For full time places a fee of £4.00 is payable for the one-hour lunch period. Please note, we are not able to offer any flexible hours or days.
The sessions we offer at our Nursery are:
AM Session 8:45am-11:45am
PM Session 12:30pm -3:30pm
Full Time – 8:45am – 3:30pm
Reception Transitions
Starting a new school or transitioning form their current Nursery into Reception is a significant milestone for children, and indeed their families. We ensure that we are on hand to support families as best we can with this process.
We hold three events for new Reception children to support this process:
- Curriculum Information Evening for parents and carers – School Hall During this Curriculum session, we aim to provide you with all the information you need to inform you about your child’s start to school and give you an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.
- Meet the staff in the Environment following the Curriculum Information Evening, we invite families and their child to come in and meet Reception staff in our EYFS environment. This provides each child with an opportunity to become familiar with the setting, the adults and it generates excitement for their new beginnings.
- Children spending time in the environment without parents. This usually is held in Summer term.
Starting Reception “School Readiness”
We understand that all children develop at their own pace, and that we’re all learning from birth. There are key skills that schools expect children to be learning before their first day. Practising these will make your child’s journey to Reception as positive as possible. There’s lots you can do at home to build your child’s confidence and independence, helping them feel emotionally and practically prepared to start school.
For more information on how to help your child get ready for school, click on the booklet below:
Ofsted
Our most recent Ofsted rated our Early Years provision as Good in January 2020.
“Adults carefully select activities which promote children’s curiosity well. They listen with concentration and are enthusiastic learners.”
