English
Phonics and Reading
Our school teaches phonics and reading using the Read Write Inc; a whole-school literacy programme. Further details can be found on the Read Write Inc website.
Information for families:
We are delighted to have been awarded the 2018 - 2019 Ruth Miskin Training Accreditation Badge. 
Please click the link below for more information:
https://www.ruthmiskin.com/parents/
Click here for our latest English policy
Handwriting
Our school teaches children handwriting primarily through Read Write Inc , using the programme's handwriting phrases and picture card mnemonics.
Maths
Click here for our latest Maths policy
Fluency
Children at West Earlham Infant and Nursery School will be exposed to, and encouraged to use, a range of maths vocabulary and terminology. Children learn best through a variety of experiences (practical, hands-on learning using resources, learning through play, working in their books etc). The impact of this will be that the children develop a secure understanding of the four main operations: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division. Each classroom environment has a designated maths area for children to explore to further support the children's love of maths and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
Reasoning
As a school, we understand the importance of a 'Spiral Curriculum' and therefore aim to revisit prior learning through adult initiated activities, enhancements, or direct teaching. Each maths session in KS1 begins with a 'FlashBack 4' which allows children to look at 4 questions, based on prior learning. In the EYFS, familiar resources and inputs with the adults support the children in being emerging mathematicians and critical thinkers. This allows the children to make links, connections and begin to make sense of what they are learning.
Problem Solving
The children at West Earlham Infant and Nursery School develop their problem solving skills from as early as our two year olds provision, Conkers. A part of the provision enhancements throughout the school will be based on problem solving in maths. In KS1, most children enter school and are faced with a maths challenge (through environment or written) that they have to solve i.e "if Jo had £1.00 and brought two apples from the shop for 40p, how much change would they get?", and use coins to work this out. A section of our weekly planning is reserved for problem solving maths, and also within the plenaries of maths sessions.
Science
At West Earlham Infant and Nursery School, our science curriculum is rooted in children's natural curiosity and fascination with the world around them. We aim to nurture and build upon this innate sense of wonder, encouraging children to explore, question, and investigate the phenomena they encounter in their everyday lives.
We recognise that a sense of intrigue is key to developing a lifelong love for the natural world. Through exciting, hands-on learning experiences, we foster not only curiosity but also care, respect, and a growing sense of responsibility for the environment. Our approach helps children understand their role in looking after the world we share, promoting mutual respect and an appreciation for the richness of nature.
From Nursery to Year 2, science at our school is developed through first-hand exploration, encouraging children to think and work like young scientists. They are supported to carry out investigations, draw conclusions, and make connections between their discoveries and the wider world. In doing so, they develop key scientific skills such as observation, questioning, problem solving, independent thinking, perseverance, and open-mindedness.
We believe that science is best learned through meaningful, engaging experiences. Our children are immersed in a rich and varied learning environment where scientific thinking is developed through a combination of adult-led teaching, child-initiated exploration, daily routines, and carefully planned opportunities for revisiting and deepening learning. Experiences such as educational visits, visitors from scientific professionals, and links to real-world contexts make learning relevant and inspiring.
Across all year groups, children are encouraged to use scientific language confidently and appropriately, helping them to articulate their understanding and share their ideas. As part of our broader commitment to sustainability, our curriculum includes an ongoing focus on biodiversity, climate change, and the role each of us can play in protecting the planet.
We are proud to help children develop not only as learners but also as thoughtful, informed citizens. Through science, we aim to instil a sense of pride in their place within the school and wider community. We encourage them to take their learning beyond the classroom by sharing their curiosity and knowledge with family, carers, and the community. By connecting with local scientific professionals and real-world issues, our children see the impact of science in everyday life and are inspired to become positive agents of change for a more sustainable future.
Click to download our latest Science policy July 2025
Computing
Computational Thinking
As part of the new Computing curriculum all children are learning how to create and debug simple algorithms and programs and develop basic computer and robot programming skills. The children will use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs, use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content and to use it all safely and carefully. In Nursery and Reception, children will have access to technology everyday to help them explore and understand the world. In Key Stage One we use 'Switched ON Computing' from Rising Star to deliver the curriculum. In Year 1 children will use programmable toys to solve problems, film their own cookery show, create works of art using drawing apps, create an eBook, make sounds using Scratch Jr and Garage Band and use data to solve clues. In Year 2 children will programme on a screen using Scratch Jr, debug and work out rules for simple computer games, take, select and edit images, safely research a topic, make a stop-motion animation and collect data about minibeasts. Online is taught to children in all year groups throughout the year.
Click here to visit a website that will explain more about this technology and provide fun ways to have a try yourself and support your children in mastering these skills.
Online Safety
Online Safety and awareness of potential online dangers underpins all areas of the curriculum at West Earlham Infant and Nursery School. Children are regularly taught the definition of personal information and the importance of keeping this private from other internet users through websites such as ThinkUKnow or story books such as 'Chicken Clicking' or 'Dot.'. We also actively participate in E-safety Day each February and hold Online Safety Assemblies where the children can share information about keeping safe online with peers. Other useful information can be found on the following websites:
Online Safety Policy October 2023 (review October 2024)
Music
We aim to provide children with exciting and inspiring musical experiences. We understand the importance of providing a wide range of music that will allow our children to dream, be inspired and excited about the world around them. Children experience a wide variety of styles and genres of music across their school life. The children have opportunities to listen, respond, experiment and perform pieces of music and songs through assemblies, plays, visiting and parking in musical productions as well as activities taught through the music curriculum.
PSHE and RHE
Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) and Relationships and Health education (RHE) are taught in lessons called “Circle Time”, building on the Early Learning Goals for personal, social and emotional development within the EYFS. PSHE and RHE are also embedded into other areas of the curriculum and our wider-school approach, which reflects the anchors of keeping children safe, happy and healthy, contributes to pupils’ personal development and provides effective pastoral support.
Through Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE), which incorporates the British Values, children learn about themselves as developing individuals and as members of society. They learn the basic rules and skills for keeping themselves healthy and safe and for behaving appropriately. They are given opportunities to show that they can take some responsibility for themselves and their environment. In addition children also learn about their own and other people's feelings and become aware of the views, needs and rights of other children and other people. Embedded within this, Relationships and Health Education (RHE) is lifelong learning about relationships, emotions, looking after ourselves, different families, self-esteem and looking after our physical and mental health. Children will be provided with accurate information and be able to communicate openly about emotions, bodies and relationships in a safe and secure environment. We aim for children to acquire the appropriate age-related knowledge, develop their skills and form positive beliefs, values and attitudes which will support them to make informed choices and decisions, prepare them for the wider world beyond primary school, and support them to keep themselves safe and healthy.
Art and Design
Children will be taught to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products. They will learn how to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination and to develop a wide range of art and design techniques as well as learning about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers. In KS1 the teaching and implementation of the art and design curriculum is supported by using Suffolk County Council’s, Art and Design in Suffolk scheme.
Design and Technology
Through a variety of creative and practical activities children will be taught to design, make and evaluate as well as being taught specific technical knowledge.
Religious Education (RE)
In RE we aim to support children in developing a sense of Religious Literacy which they can apply to the wider world around them. We follow the SACRE Norfolk Agreed Syllabus (2019) which builds on the enquiry - based pedagogy and aims to raise expectations of both teachers and pupils in terms of the study of religion and worldviews. Through varied enquiries, our children develop an understanding of diverse religions and cultures, allowing children to become more inclusive and accepting of others. RE is taught primarily through learning about different religious festivals and teachings in the Christian, Islamic, Sikh, Hindu and Jewish Faiths.
History
History at West Earlham Infant and Nursery School consists of engaging enquiry-based topics that encourage the children to become mini-historians, and ask questions that help them dig deeper into the history of Great Britain and the wider world. The children will look at changes that have happened in their families lives, as well as being exposed to many significant people, places and events which are sorted into a chronological order.
Geography
At West Earlham Infant and Nursery school we believe that Geography helps to provoke and provide answers to questions about the natural and human aspects of the world. The children have many experiences throughout their time at our school to explore new and exciting settings on educational visits, and also learn more about their own environment in West Earlham (the school and the area in which they live), and are equipped with the correct vocabulary to describe and understand these.
Speech and Language
At West Earlham Infant and Nursery school we aim to promote and support the communication of all our children and adults. We integrate sign language (SignAlong) and 'Word Aware' into our daily learning and our speech and language team provide specific intervention where needed, through 1:1 and group therapy sessions. In class, children play games to help improve their attention, memory and listening. Children are assessed termly using the WELLCOMM assessment. This allows us to take a snapshot of the children’s expressive (what they use) and receptive (what they understand) skills. We can then use this information to further support your child in different areas. We identify children that need additional support with their communication and language skills using the NELI program What is Teach Neli?
In our Nursery all children complete Early years 'Talk Boost', to support their language and communication skills. Additional information about speech and language; http://www.talkingpoint.org.uk/
PE
Through Physical Education we aim to:
- Improve and know what fitness, health and well-bring looks and feels like
- Promote active learning and lifelong learning to learn well and live well
- Encourage children to use a ‘Growth Mindset’ approach to challenge themselves in a safe environment to be the best they can be for their stage of development and learning.
- Reduce Childhood Obesity.
Our teachers, deliver a curriculum focusing on supporting healthy life choices, including enjoyment of team and individual sports and participation in a wide range of physical activities.
In the summer term, children in year 2 take part in swimming lessons using the excellent, local facilities at the Sports Park at University of East Anglia. Children learn the skills needed to swim confidently, as well as water safety.
Weekly after-school clubs are available to children in Key Stage 1, where they will have the opportunity to practise a range of skills and further develop their understanding of team games.
