At Holly Primary School we believe that all children deserve an education rich in wonder and memorable experiences that allows children’s natural creativity and curiosity to flourish, alongside the purposeful acquisition of skills and knowledge. We believe that an education that does all of this gives children the best chance to become well-rounded, happy individuals, ready to succeed in an ever-changing world. Please view our welcome presentations, and details of Nursery Provision Options. Please also note that In September of the academic year that children have their fifth birthday, they begin ‘F2’. These children form our Reception Class and attend school full time.
Meet the Team
We also recognise the importance of giving our children the best possible start to their education by planning and implementing teaching and learning opportunities that supports them in reaching their full potential. We know that children enter the Nursery and Reception classes with varied life experiences and we aim to plan teaching and learning opportunities accordingly to address this. Our family atmosphere and close links between home and school help children to settle into school life from their very first day.
General Information
Nursery Welcome Information
Holly Primary School recognises the crucial role that Early Years education has to play in providing firm foundations upon which the rest of a child’s education is successfully based. Learning is introduced through structured, active and imaginative play. The development of language skills are vital to enable children to access the whole curriculum and so short focused times each day are dedicated to the teaching of speaking, listening, phonics, reading and early writing. We aim to develop in children a natural love of quality picture books, nursery rhymes and traditional tales.
Reception Welcome Information
Our learning takes place both inside and outside in a wonderful outdoor environment which include a story garden with listening logs, fairy tree and post box, a wooded pond area which was created by Sir David Attenborough, a large mud kitchen and den building area, a small woodland library and an allotment and poly tunnel. These spaces allow children to explore nature in a physically hands on approach, which enables children to develop the skills, attitudes and understanding that will form the basis of lifelong learning and encourage them to become useful, active members of a diverse and constantly changing society.
Progression of Skills Information
We follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum which covers seven areas of learning:
The Prime areas are:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language; Physical Development
The Specific areas are:
Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design
Our practice is underpinned by the ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning’ in order to help children reach their potential and develop the skills required to engage in learning.
Playing and exploring: Finding out and exploring; Playing with what they know; Being willing to ‘have a go’.
Active Learning: Being involved and concentrating; Keep trying; Enjoy achieving what they set out to do.
Creating and thinking critically: Having their own ideas; Making links; Working with ideas.