Reception Termly Overview – Spring 1 2026
Reception Termly Overview – Autumn 2 2025
Reception Termly Overview – Autumn 1 2025
Early Years Curriculum
At Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge CE Primary School, our Early Years curriculum is designed to be ambitious, engaging and nurturing, giving every child the opportunity to flourish. Learning takes place in every area of the school, inside and outdoors, through play, exploration and structured teaching. This approach reflects our school vision and Christian ethos, supporting “Living Life in all its Fullness” by encouraging compassion, respect, responsibility, and a love of learning.
Children develop core knowledge, skills, and experiences across seven areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Physical Development; Communication and Language; Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; and Expressive Arts and Design. These experiences lay the foundation for success throughout school and beyond, fostering independence, resilience, curiosity and creativity.
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to build skills and knowledge over time. Children engage in teacher-directed lessons to introduce new concepts, teacher-led small-group sessions to consolidate understanding, and child-led play-based learning to apply knowledge independently.
We use high-quality programmes such as Read Write Inc (RWI) for phonics, White Rose and NCTEM Maths, and Talk 4 Writing for literacy development. Teachers adapt lessons to meet the needs of all children, including those with SEND or additional needs, using adapted tasks, scaffolding, visual and multisensory resources and flexible pacing. Staff continuously update their subject knowledge through training, CPD and modelling. Enrichment opportunities, such as themed days, outdoor exploration, local visits, community church activities, falconry experiences, farm trips, PCSO and Fire station visits to name just a few, all deepen learning and engagement.
We ensure the curriculum is accessible and ambitious for all pupils. Children with SEND or additional needs receive targeted support, including small-group interventions, one-to-one guidance and individual learning plans. Teachers regularly monitor progress through observations, assessments, and reviews, adapting strategies to ensure every child succeeds. This approach fosters wellbeing, confidence, and a sense of belonging, allowing children to take risks, make mistakes, and celebrate achievements. Children’s photos and work are displayed in the classroom to celebrate the children’s individual work and a reminder of their learning journey.
Our curriculum also promotes personal growth, character development and social skills. Children learn to communicate effectively, work in teams, show empathy and solve problems creatively. Through thematic learning, cultural experiences, and moral exploration, children gain understanding of the wider world, preparing them to be responsible, curious and resilient citizens. Outdoor learning, play and community involvement enhance their cultural capital and real-world awareness.
The quality of teaching and learning is monitored through lesson observations, planning reviews, learning journals and pupil voice. Termly assessments track progress in all seven areas of learning, ensuring that children make good progress from their starting points. Engagement and enjoyment are observed in play and structured activities, while interventions are implemented where needed. Curriculum reviews focus on improving enrichment opportunities, SEND support and teaching strategies to maintain high standards and support continuous improvement.
The Early Years Lead supports staff through coaching, modelling and professional development, ensuring consistency across the school. Staff share best practice regularly and attend CPD to strengthen subject knowledge. Leadership of the Early Years curriculum aligns with the School Development Plan, contributing to whole-school improvement priorities and ensuring that all children receive high-quality learning experiences.