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Lower Primary 

Here in the Lower Primary Department at Park Community ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ we use the principles of the EYFS as a base for the opportunities and provision that we provide to children in their KS1 years. This is a continuation of the learning and experiences that they would have accessed in their EYFS year at PCA or other Reception setting. Through child led, practical & stimulating learning experiences in a play based environment we support children in developing the skills needed to be successful learners, resilient individuals and responsible citizens in their learning journey through PCA & into adulthood.  

We support children to learn by:

• playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’;
• active learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements; and
• creating and thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things. 

 

The Lower Primary curriculum is designed to support children in gaining new knowledge and skills, extend their thinking and challenge them at an individualized level. Learning experiences are exciting, motivating and interesting through carefully planned child led topics & stories. Pupils are always encouraged to use their own interests to practice and apply new knowledge & skills. 

Lower Primary pupils are housed in both the Berry and Jubilee Building, where we cater for the needs of our young children who have an Education and Health Care Plan.

 

The Jubilee Building comprises of:

• Three classrooms - with attached pupil-centred toileting, washing and changing facilities;
• A Sensory Studio - this newly developed room provides an immersive learning environment.  This allows the children to be totally "immersed" in a self-contained simulated environment while experiencing it as real. It is a highly visual and engaging experience for all our children to further develop their technical, creative, problem-solving and speaking and listening skills.
• A Soft Play Room - this is an enclosed space where the walls and floor are padded and the layout consists of multi-levels connected with steps, slopes, wedges, tunnels and blocks.  Physical exercise, expression and interaction are encouraged whilst children enjoy playing and learning within this safe environment.
• A Therapy Room - a space for our multi agency teams to work quietly and safely with pupils in school. This includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and education psychologists. 
• An Art Room - this is a newly developed room providing a space for all expressive art and creative work. This includes purpose built storage for all art equipment and hand washing/ equipment cleaning sinks at both an adult and child level. 
• A Forest School – a large natural environment accessible directly from our EYFS classroom. The forest area allows for learner-led outdoor play encouraging curiosity and exploration. 

• Secure outdoor play areas - with a safety enhanced surface. This includes purpose built storage for all outdoor play equipment and a range of static wooden climbing frames to further develop gross motor skills.

• A meeting room - with two-way window, available for the use of meetings with families and staff etc.
• Separate food preparation area and washing machine facilities.

 

Lower Primary pupils in classes within Berry Building access the Sensory Room and Soft Play Room daily. All staff work in close liaison with each other in order to provide a happy, caring, stimulating and secure learning environment for your child.  Liaison between staff and parents/carers is also essential to enhance the learning process.

 

 

 Help is also given by visiting professionals, whose contributions enrich the children's experience and learning.  These may include Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, School Medical Officer, School Nurse, Dentist, Audiologist, the Physical/Sensory/Complex Needs Co-ordinator, Social Workers and the Education Welfare Officer.

 

Evidence for Learning

Evidence for Learning is a platform to capture and record evidence of your child's learning and progress. Evidence is uploaded by class staff throughout each half term and will include photographs, videos, comments and links to the pupils EHCP targets and curriculum areas. Evidence for Learning enables us to share a child’s learning and development with parents weekly, and at Parent Evening and review meetings.

LOWER PRIMARY 3 YEAR ROLLING PROGRAMME
	AUTUMN 1	AUTUMN 2	SPRING 1	SPRING 2	SUMMER 1	SUMMER 2
2024-2025	Me and My Senses	Superheroes	If you go down in the woods......	Wonderful Weather	Books by the same Author	Journeys
2025-2026	All About Me	People who help us	Once Upon a Time	How does my garden grow?	Books by the same Author	Holidays
2026-2027	We are Special	Busy Bodies	Brilliant Bears	Down at the bottom of the garden..	Books by the same Author	Seaside