Our Learning in Year 1 and 2 is different....

Research tells us children learn best when they can be active, curious, work collaboratively, problem solve and try out ideas.  At The Avenue Infant School, our approach to learning in Years 1 and 2 builds on the play-based provision of Reception and enables the children to demonstrate their learning through active play in a varied and engaging learning environment.  

Our progressive play-based approach to learning from Reception to Year 2, known as ‘continuous provision’, means the children still receive short teaching inputs from their teachers and then demonstrate their understanding through the classroom play-based environment.  The environment is carefully resourced and set up to be exciting, engaging and interesting.  Children work collaboratively, discuss and try out ideas and problem solve, learn to persevere, be resilient and work with others.  Importantly, the children can access the provision and demonstrate their learning at the level they are at, whilst still being supported and challenged to grow and develop.

Some examples of the learning we see from our children independently:

• Build Florence Nightingale’s hospital in the Crimean war and talking about the differences she made
• Create models of hot and cold animal habitats
• Imaginatively retelling known stories
• Selecting resources to build a strong bridge for a model vehicle
• Create a three-dimensional map of a country they know or are learning about
• Find a cosy corner to read a favourite story or explore a non-fiction book of interest

On a daily basis, our children are readers, writers, designers, artists, historians, geographers, scientists and so much more, as well as learning to focus on a task they are really interested in, work with others, problem solve to overcome problems, share their ideas or discoveries with their classmates. We have seen close relationships build, a strong sense of well-being as well as greater levels of enthusiasm for learning by adults and children alike.

The curriculum is exciting, creative and dynamic, enabling skills and knowledge to be applied so that children can purposefully build on what has already been learnt as well as identifying what the children need to learn next to ensure they are all successful learners.  

Our classrooms have interesting resources, engaging learning areas and interactive displays.  Expectations for the children are high but, importantly, our approach also develops vital life-long learning skills, which will benefit them throughout their education and future careers.  If you visit any classroom at The Avenue, you will see happy, engaged and motivated children who love learning..