Welcome to Ightham Primary School Mr Sherhod – Head Teacher

Our Open Morning aims…….. To share our school vision and aims To explore learning in our reception class To introduce the Kent Admissions process

Our Strengths Child centred ethos shared by all stakeholders Last Ofsted inspection was in 2009 and this was “Good” Willing, well-behaved and enthusiastic pupils Committed and skilled staff with a range of expertise Broad curriculum Parent-Staff Association (PSA) Community Links (eg Parish Council, Ightham Mote) Very supportive and experienced Governing Body Woodland setting School partnerships and collaborations (MOSAIC)

Our vision… Pupils should leave Ightham Primary School with their understanding deepened, their minds enriched, and their hearts inspired, so that they love learning and embrace the challenges of the future.

Our Aims… We aim to foster attitudes that will instil self-confidence, a sense of personal worth and help them to acquire knowledge and skills relevant to life and work in a changing world. At Ightham Primary School we aim to provide an environment where children can be happy so that they are able to enjoy their education. We aim to assist children in developing intellectual, personal, spiritual, social and moral values while also sharing respect for all religions and other ways of life.

Our Aims…. We aim to give children the opportunity to make decisions and choices and to take responsibility for their learning, their environment and the resources made available to them. We seek to identify each child’s particular gifts and talents and to enhance them in the community. We aim to encourage a close working partnership with families and the wider community.

Standards Close links with SKIPS “Outstanding” practice in the Foundation Stage Close links with SKIPS Children settle very quickly and the combination of child initiated and adult directed activities leads to very effective learning. Consistently high attainment throughout the school

Ages and Stages Foundation Stage 4 – 5 yrs Year R Key Stage 1 5 - 7 yrs Y 1 & 2 Key Stage 2 7 - 11 yrs Y3, 4, 5, 6 Move onto secondary school at the start of Y7

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Mrs Jarrett

What is the Early Years Foundation Stage? The Early Years Foundation Stage (E.Y.F.S.) is the stage of education for children from birth to the end of the Reception year. It is based on the recognition that children learn best through play and active learning. Learning for young children should be a rewarding and enjoyable experience in which they explore, investigate, discover, create, practise, rehearse, repeat, revise and consolidate their developing knowledge, skills and understanding and attitudes.

The E.Y.F.S. is based on 4 themes. 1 A Unique Child 2 Positive Relationships 3 Enabling Environments 4 Learning and Development

The 7 areas of learning. Prime Areas Personal, social & emotional development Communication & language Physical development All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.

The 7 areas of learning. Specific Areas Literacy Mathematical development Understanding the world Expressive Arts & Design

The aims of Foundation Stage To develop effective learning characteristics which include children: being willing to have a go; being involved and concentrating; having their own ideas; choosing ways to do things; finding new ways; and enjoying achieving what they set out to do.

Teaching in Foundation Stage Teaching in the Foundation Stage is taught through a combination of Child Initiated and Teacher Directed Activities . Child Initiated Activities This the time when children can select any activity and have opportunity to develop their learning in their play. The role of any adult working with the children is to support and extend their learning. Our role is to be observers ,co-players (modelling ,playing alongside, offering suggestions) and extenders (discussing ideas ,asking open questions, offering challenges and introducing new resources)

Teaching in Foundation Stage Teacher directed Activities Teacher planned activities that take the children's learning forward in all 7 Areas of Learning . Literacy development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition . These activities are still “Hands on, brains on” Learning is inside and outside. We weekly use the woodlands . These activities develop communication, literacy and numeracy skills which will prepare children for Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum

The Admissions Process Mrs Austin (School Office Manager)

Ightham Admission Criteria Looked after children Siblings Distance

Common Application Forms RCAF Kent RCAFs are for Kent schools only Parents will only complete one Kent form per child Up to three preferences in priority order Closing dates for all applications, both online or forms, by Thursday 15th January 2015 to the Local Authority (kent.gov.uk/ola)

On - line Applications Parents can now apply for their Year R place using the Kent Online Admissions System at www.kent.gov.uk/ola Offers will be sent by e-mail on Thursday 16th April 2015 Note: parents who apply online must not submit a paper CAF as well. The LA only accept one application, as checking duplicates slows the process down. Parents will be able to print off confirmation that a successful online application has been made.

Key Dates for Parents Important dates to remember: Thursday 15th January 2015 – closing dates for all applications online or paper forms Thursday 16th April 2015 – emails sent to those who applied online with a valid email address and letters sent to those who applied by paper application Friday 15th May 2015 date by which places must be accepted or refused Tuesday 16th June 2015 date schools will offer any available places

Thank you for listening – do you have any questions? You will now have the opportunity to walk round the school – our Year 6 children will act as your guides We will remain in the hall afterwards so you will have the opportunity of asking us any remaining questions you may have.