Our Curriculum Intent

At Heathfields Infant Academy we place great value on the development of our children as individuals and providing them with the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to prepare them for the challenges of our Key Stage One curriculum. Our aim in the EYFS is to build strong foundations in each of the seven areas of learning as well as supporting children to become enthusiastic, independent individuals, who are confident to take risks so that ultimately our pupils can be successful, curious, life-long learners. 

How do we implement this?

At Heathfields, children learn through a careful balance of child-initiated and adult-directed activities. We recognise the importance of children learning through play and that this underpins learning and all aspects of children’s development. Through play, children develop their language, creativity, emotional, social and intellectual skills. We also recognise the need for direct teacher-led activities to ensure that children gain the essential skills and knowledge they need to be successful.

The timetable is carefully structured so that children have rigorous directed teaching in English, Maths and Phonics every day. These sessions are followed by group work where children work with a member of staff to develop their individual targets.  The wider curriculum is planned in a cross-curricular way to enable all aspects of the child’s development. Children are provided with time to engage in ‘exploration’ throughout a variety of experiences. The environment has been developed to support this ensuring equal importance is given to both the inside and outside. We strive to ensure that the resources available at all times (continuous provision) are varied, open-ended and of high quality, providing stimulation and challenge as children engage with them. Sometimes further enhancements will be made to an area of provision in order to encourage children to engage with it in a particular way, to support interest or develop a skill that has been identified from assessment.  Any children not making sufficient progress are identified early so that we can adjust our provision or provide additional intervention. 

Personal, Social and Emotional Development is a priority for us at Heathfields and we actively teach children to recognise, understand and manage their emotions so that they are regulated, ready and in the best position to learn.

What impact does this have?

Our EYFS curriculum will ensure that children are equipped with the knowledge, skills and understanding they require in order to build strong foundations for Key Stage One. Our curriculum will enable all pupils to make good progress from their unique starting points.  Our children will be actively engaged in their learning and all children will have experienced a curriculum that provides exciting and enriching learning experiences.