The Infant Department comprises of the first years of school life:

Pre-School, Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2
In the Infants we aim to provide a safe and stimulating environment in which children can develop socially, emotionally, creatively physically and academically and provide a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum which:

• Acknowledges and builds on what children have already experienced and learnt and meets individual children’s needs.

• Enables learning in a familiar, purposeful and supportive environment.

• Teaches independence.

We work very hard to make sure that the children work very hard, and we also strive to offer a varied and interesting range of after school clubs. Because of this, we limit the amount of homework given; the children need time for imaginative play, time that is not directed by an adult and time just to relax. We do ask for parental help with reading, and books are sent home on a regular basis. This is the priority in the department.

In Years 1 and 2, spelling lists may be given for a weekly spelling test, and in Year 2 multiplication tables will be tested.

Learning Support

The Learning Support Unit (LSU) is made up of two areas –help with specific learning difficulties (Learning Support) and help with the English Language (sometimes called EFL, EAL or ESL– English as a Foreign/Additional/Second Language).

We treat each child as an individual. Not all children will have had the same experiences before joining us, and not all children will have the same rate of learning. Our Learning Support team works with the class teachers to plan and deliver a programme of work for individuals and small groups. For some, this help will be for a short term, for others, it will last longer. We use both in class and out of class support. The method, type and length of support is decided on an individual basis.