Key Stages
Here you will be able find a brief information about the different year groups at St Thomas of Canterbury School, grouped in their relevant phases.
Please note that:
- EYFS is Nursery & Reception
- Key Stage 1 is Years 1 & 2
- Key Stage 2 is Years 3, 4, 5 & 6
EYFS
Within our EYFS department all teachers, supported by their teaching assistants, strive to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to learn and develop new skills at such a critical stage in their learning development.
An emphasis is placed on child-initiated learning, within a highly engaging and well-resourced environment. Children have access to a range of practical activities both inside and outside, all of which are carefully planned to develop social, emotional and academic skills.
At the end of Reception class each child is assessed in the following areas of development:
Prime Areas
- Personal, Social and Emotional
- Communication and Language
- Physical
Specific Areas
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding of the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
These prime areas of learning are fundamental, work together, and move through to support development in all other areas, while the specific areas include essential skills and knowledge for children to participate successfully in society. All of our children develop in the context of relationships and the environment around them. This is unique to each family, and reflects individual communities and cultures.
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Key Stage 1
In KS1, teachers, supported by teaching assistants, strive to ensure that children are given the opportunity to build on the skills that were nurtured in their EYFS years.
Through a range of different activities, following an engaging curriculum, we aim to develop the 'whole child' encompassing social, emotional, physical and academic abilities. In all areas of learning levels of challenge are adapted in order to ensure that every child is supported in enabling them to make excellent progress.
Academic progress continues to be monitored regularly leading to the KS1 assessment at the end of Year 2.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2, as with KS1 and EYFS, we continue striving to ensure that all of the skills that have been developed through their school life continue to be developed.
Levels of challenge in learning continue to be adapted as appropriate in order to meet the needs of each individual child. An engaging curriculum, taught through a variety of activities, ensures that diverse learning styles are met; therefore enabling every child to make outstanding progress.
Academic progress continues to be monitored throughout years 3, 4, 5 and 6, leading up to the KS2 assessment at the end of Year 6.
At KS2 we encourage our children to foster and develop their personal, social and emotional skills, alongside their academic work, enabling them to leave St Thomas of Canterbury at the end of Year 6 as unique individuals who are fully equipped to embrace their future opportunities and accomplish their dreams and achieve success in all aspects of their lives, to become well rounded young citizens.