Play, Learn and Grow Together at Ordsall Primary School

Intent

At Ordsall Primary School, it is our mission to be a school community where we can all “be the best that we can be.” In the Early Years Foundation Stage, this mission comes to life through our vision of “Play, Learn and Grow Together,” which underpins everything we do.

We recognise that the early years are a crucial period in a child’s development and future learning journey. Our intent is to provide a nurturing, inclusive and high-quality start to education where every child feels safe, supported, and inspired. We want every child to:

• Build strong foundations in communication, personal development, and early literacy and numeracy.
• Develop confidence, curiosity, and resilience through purposeful play.
• Experience the joy of learning in a setting that values creativity, relationships, and individuality.
• Be fully prepared—socially, emotionally, and academically—for the transition into Key Stage 1.

We are inspired by the ancient proverb:

“I hear things, and I forget them. I see things, and I remember them. I do things, and I understand them.”
This belief drives our approach: children learn best when they are active participants in their learning. Our curriculum is creative, hands-on, and rooted in real-life experiences that help children make sense of the world around them.

At the heart of our EYFS provision are our RESPECT values: Resilience, Effort, Support, Passion, Enrichment, Compassion, and Teamwork. These values shape how we learn, behave, and grow together—supporting children to become confident learners and kind members of our community.

We are committed to ensuring:

• All children, including those with SEND or who are disadvantaged, make strong progress from their starting points.
• High-quality relationships, emotional security, and well-being are prioritised.
• Every child is known, valued, and given the opportunity to thrive.

 

Implementation

Our Early Years curriculum is thoughtfully planned to meet the requirements of the EYFS statutory framework while reflecting the needs, interests, and starting points of our children. It is delivered through a balance of child-initiated and adult-guided learning, with play and exploration at the core.

A Language-Rich, Purposeful Curriculum

• Daily exposure to high-quality texts and rich vocabulary underpins all areas of learning.
• Children develop communication and language through storytelling, talk, singing, role play, and adult modelling.
• Our curriculum is sequenced to build knowledge and skills progressively across the seven areas of learning.

We use carefully selected programmes and resources to support children’s development, including:

• Read Write Inc. for phonics.
• White Rose Maths to develop mathematical understanding.
• Charanga for music education.
• Drawing Club and The Children’s Kitchen to encourage creativity, collaboration, and imagination.

A Focus on Personal, Social, and Emotional Development

• Emotional literacy is supported through Zones of Regulation, key adult relationships, and consistent routines.
• Children are taught to understand and manage their feelings, build friendships, and show empathy and kindness.
• Our RESPECT values are modelled daily, helping children develop a moral compass and strong sense of community.

Assessment to Support and Extend Learning

• We carry out thorough baseline assessments, including the Reception Baseline, speech and language screening, and discussions with families and previous settings.
• Ongoing observations inform teaching, planning, and timely interventions.
• Children’s progress is tracked through clear checkpoints, and support is adjusted accordingly.

Inclusion and Early Intervention

• All children are fully included in the life of our school. Where needed, we make adaptations to ensure all children can access the full curriculum.
• Children with SEND are identified early and supported through our graduated response, individualised plans, and interventions such as ELSA.
• Disadvantaged pupils receive the targeted support they need to catch up and keep up.

Strong Partnerships with Parents and Families

• We value parents as our children’s first educators and work in close partnership through:
  • Transition visits and welcome meetings.
  • Weekly learning updates and newsletters.
  • Phonics workshops and open mornings.
  • Regular parent-teacher and SEND meetings.

Carefully Planned Transitions

• Children moving into Reception from Nursery or other settings are supported through tailored transition activities.
• Smooth transitions into Year 1 are ensured through collaborative planning, detailed handovers, and shared expectations between EYFS and KS1 staff.

Our Early Years team is made up of passionate, highly skilled practitioners who understand the unique needs of young children. All staff access regular training and work collaboratively to provide a consistent, caring, and ambitious environment.

 

Impact

The impact of our Early Years provision is seen in the confident, curious, and capable learners who leave Reception ready to flourish in Key Stage 1 and beyond.

Children at Ordsall Primary School make strong progress from their individual starting points. The majority achieve a Good Level of Development (GLD) by the end of Reception, particularly in the prime areas and early literacy and maths. But impact at Ordsall goes beyond academic measures.

Our children:

• Demonstrate strong communication and language skills, using a rich vocabulary and expressing themselves clearly.
• Develop a love of books, stories, and early reading, with solid phonics foundations from Read Write Inc.
• Show resilience, independence, and confidence, thanks to daily routines, high expectations, and the modelling of our RESPECT values.
• Understand how to manage emotions, take turns, work collaboratively, and show compassion to others.
• Engage with learning enthusiastically and are well-prepared for the structure, routines, and expectations of Year 1.

Through our broad, balanced, and enriching curriculum, we equip children with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to continue their learning journey. Most importantly, they leave EYFS with a positive attitude to school and a strong sense of self—ready to “be the best that they can be.”