Curriculum
Foundation Curriculum
The curriculum for children in the Foundation Stage is based on the government’s Foundation Stage Curriculum guidance Development Matters. It is divided into the following areas of learning:
Prime Areas
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development;
- Physical Development;
- Communication and Language.
Specific Areas
- Literacy;
- Mathematics;
- Expressive Art and Design;
- Understanding the World
At the end of the Reception year, all children are assessed to see if they have met a set of early learning goals (ELG) in different areas of learning.
Development Matters Guidance Document
Oldbrook First School and Nursery Early Years Skills Progression
Long Term Planning Nursery Cycle A 2025-2026
Long Term Planning Nursery Cycle B 2024 - 2025
Long Term Planning Reception Cycle A 2025-2026
Long Term Planning Reception Cycle B 2024 - 2025
Nursery
Nursery - Term 1 - All About Me
Nursery Term 3 - Winter Wonderland
Nursery Term 4 - The Big and the Small
Reception
Reception Term 1 - All about me!
Reception Term 2 - My Home and My Family
Reception Term 3 - Winter Wonderland
Reception Term 4 - The Big and the Small
National Curriculum - Years 1 and 2
The children study units of work in the following subjects. Please click on the subject links to find out about each subjects Intent, Implementation, Impact and the progression in knowledge and skills.
Core Subjects:
Foundation Subjects:
Music National Development Plan 2025-2026
Music National Development Plan 2024-2025
The creative curriculum is carefully planned, with reference to the National Curriculum. There is an overall yearly plan, which shows the content covered by each year group, each term. Schemes of Work give details of what is taught, teaching methods, resources and assessment arrangements. Teachers work in year group planning teams to produce detailed weekly plans, which show learning intentions and activities for each lesson.
Learning intentions are shared with children so that they know what they are doing and why. Children have targets so that they know what they need to do to improve.
Curriculum Newsletters
Year 1
Year 1 - Term 1 - Our Local Area
Year 1 - Term 2 - Mastering Materials
Year 1 - Term 3 - How Does Your Garden Grow
Year 2
Year 2 - Term 2- Great Fire of London
Year 2 - Term 3- All around the World
Year 2 - Term 4 - Intrepid Explorers
Read, Write, Inc.
How we teach Reading
At Oldbrook First School we follow the Read Write Inc programme for teaching sounds and reading. This starts during your child’s first month in Reception. The information below will provide you with further details about what the programme involves and how you can help at home.
What is Read Write Inc?
Read Write Inc is a fully integrated reading programme, firmly based in synthetic phonics. Synthetic phonics is simply the ability to convert a letter or letter group into sounds that are then blended together into a word. These words are embedded in lovely stories so children can read books independently.
The 5 Principles
- Pace
The children are carefully assessed then taught in small ability groups, with children participating fully throughout each session.
- Praise
The children are praised regularly to help them gain confidence and develop a love of reading.
- Focused teaching
Every activity has a clear purpose and high expectations are modelled by staff.
- 100% participation
Children work with a partner, teaching each other and sharing ideas so that every child is actively involved throughout every session.
- Love of reading
Staff and children enjoy the lessons and share a passion for reading – the greater the passion, the faster the progress!
Resources for Parents and Carers
The films below show parents and carers how we teach children to read and write with Read Write Inc Phonics.