Jan/Feb - Piddle Valley Community Website

Piddle Valley School -------------------------------­
There is snow on the ground and the children are extremely excited as Christmas
approaches. There have been many changes at the school this year with a lot of activity
over the summer and several new developments.
Building work We have had quite a change around and are thrilled with how the
school looks and feels now. With the integration of the ., pre-school' into the main body
of the school to form what is known as a 'Foundation Base', we now have the Feathers
(pre-school') and Robins (Reception) housed in two adjoining classrooms. Lots of work on
the schools internal courtyard has created an outdoor play and learning zone for our
youngest children. Woodpeckers (Year One) and Buzzards (Year Two and Three) are
housed in the other two classrooms with Owls (Year Four) in the mobile classroom. Also
the children's toilets have been redeveloped and are greatly improved.
Feathers and Robins It has been so lovely to welcome the staff and children from
Feathers base into our school. The Piddle Valley Foundation Base structures its commitment
around the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (a government document)
committed to children from birth to five years old. Children are offered a wide variety of
learning opportunities accessed as a child is developmentally ready which allows children
to move smoothly through this important stage.
Piddle Valley School offers the benefits of a pre-school and a school reception class using
one curriculum tailored around each child in the same base offering the combined knowledge
and expertise of early years staff, the extra resources required to meet all children's
needs and essentially allowing children to develop and progress at a speed and level
appropriate to the individual child!
Changes are unsettling and the possible worries about starting 'big school' for a child can
cause a delay or even a step back in their progress. A foundation base minimizes that
disruption as the children can view first hand some of the children and routines in big
school which is a definite plus, even if your child will be attending a first school other
than Piddle Valley. For details of costs and times for the Feathers base please contact the
school on 01300 348219
Creative Curriculum Teachers have continued to work hard to ensure that our
pupil's learning is as enjoyable and meaningful as possible. Topics have included The
Scrumdidlyumptious world of Roald Dahl, Africa (inspired by Mr Higgins summer trip to
that continent!) Australia and All About Me.
Golden Time We have made some changes to Golden Time this year. Part of
our schools reward and sanction system, a Golden Time hour of enrichment activities on
Friday afternoons is a reward for working hard and behaving well all week. Minutes of
Golden Time can be deducted for those not complying with their class Charter of Rights
and Responsibilities. We have invited parents into school to work with small groups
of children on projects lasting a few weeks. Activities so far include making animations,
art workshops, cooking, gardening, sewing and junk modelling.
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