FEATURE FOCUS: VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
Investing in a transformational learning space for Early Years’ children
with profound and multiple learning difficulties. We are positioned as one school, mainstream primary and specialist unit aligned, where children all learn from each other and a community in which diversity is embraced and celebrated. Although we have the highest of expectations for all our pupils, and academic and sporting achievement are very important to us, we also believe that laughter and kindness are essential because when children are happy and feel safe, learning is easier. We have an exceptional curriculum complemented by our fantastic welfare and nurture provision. Our recently- introduced values, which we uphold as a school community, are: “Be Kind. Work Hard. Believe”.
I
n our ever-popular View from the classroom feature this month we’re delighted to hear from Kathryn Pennington, Headteacher at East Hunsbury Primary School, who tells us about the school’s investment in a new learning space for its Early Years’ children.
Tell us about your school East Hunsbury Primary School, part of Northampton Primary Academy Trust, is a family- focused, inclusive school dedicated to ensuring that every child experiences success and feels valued, happy and cared for. We are a vibrant, two-form entry school with 416 pupils, which includes a 50-place specialist unit for children
You were appointed as Headteacher in April 2022. How was your first term in charge? Well, it was a baptism of fire, as we had an Ofsted inspection on my second day! The school was originally judged to be Good in 2013 and the latest visit confirmed the school continues to be Good. We were absolutely delighted with the report which is testament to every single member of our staff and our children. The inspector had the opportunity to witness first-hand our mission to be a community-driven school that delivers an ambitious, inclusive and enabling curriculum in which all children achieve exceptionally high standards from their given starting points. There are really specific examples in the report about how we help children succeed across a range of
16
www.education-today.co.uk
subjects, including our approach to curriculum from the early years to Year 6 and devising lessons that build on pupils’ prior learning, how the curriculum effectively supports their personal development, and our commitment to putting reading at the heart of the curriculum. As the report says, we are ‘one big family’.
Where have you subsequently invested your time?
Improving the estate has been a major focus. Recently our specialist unit underwent a refurbishment which included a fantastic sensory room, and we also have plans to install a brand- new all-weather pitch and outdoor gym equipment. At this time we are completing a new transformational learning space for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) children. We have teamed up with Timotay Playscapes to plan three distinct areas for our four and five year olds. Features include a role play village, an outdoor learning zone (with ‘deluxe’ mud kitchen), creative studio area, water play, climbing apparatus and a construction area complete with gravel pit, sand pit, trike and cycle area, as well as a ‘show time’ performance stage and storytelling area. It is different to anything else in our locality. As a flagship school for inclusion, we hope the EYFS outdoor space will provide even more opportunities for every child in our school community to learn and grow together.
December 2022
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46
