The children in Reception at Al-Khair will be provided with a stimulating learning environment. The children will learn through play and exploration, we encourage active learning as well as creative and critical thinking. We place emphasis on the development of concentration and the enjoyment of achieving. It is in these formative years that children make the most progress so it is essential that we equip them with the necessary skills to make their time in reception. The curriculum is broken down into the seven areas of learning. The children will be taught language, literature, and mathematics, with an emphasis on the teaching of phonics and correct letter formation. Mathematical learning combines practical activities and a published scheme. Specialist teaching begins in the Foundation Stage in Islamic studies, Arabic and Quran.
Children spend two full years in Key Stage 1 in mixed ability classes. Our syllabus has been carefully devised and is based on the National Curriculum, which builds on the areas covered during the Foundation Stage.
Since it is the vehicle to facilitate most of the children’s learning, we support a structured approach to the teaching of reading and use the phonetic alphabet alongside our reading schemes. A wide range of reading material suits readers of all abilities. We expect pupils to become independent readers by the age of 6, and additional reading staff help the children to achieve this.
The children enjoy the benefits of regular educational visits and guests coming to school. They thoroughly enjoy these and certainly learn a great deal through their experiences.
Culture Capital in EYFS
Cultural capital is the accumulation of knowledge, behaviours, and skills that children can draw upon and which demonstrates their cultural awareness, knowledge and competence; it is one of the key ingredients a child will draw upon to be successful in society, their career and the world of work.
At Al Khair, we promote Cultural capital by giving children the desire to aspire and achieve social mobility whatever their starting point. This has been achieved by exposing children to a variety of experiences, including ‘What I want to be when I grow up’ Day, where children can come to school in costumes related to their preferred job. International Day, where children learn about other countries, their cultures and traditions. Within school, children develop their understanding of manners, etiquettes through ‘words’ and other learning activities.
Policy Rationale:
At Al Khair Prep School, we recognise that for students to aspire and be successful academically and in the wider areas of their lives, they need to be given rich and sustained opportunities to develop their cultural capital.