Early Years and Key Stage 1
We have two mixed-age classes for our Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 pupils at Frederick Holmes School, the Cygnets and the Ducklings. Each class follows a different curriculum pathway and pupils are placed depending on whether they are best suited to a sensory or more formal curriculum at that time.
Our Cygnets & Ducklings classes aim to provide an immersive and all-inclusive learning experience that supports children in the three prime areas of learning;
o Communication and Language development
o Physical Development
o Personal, Social and Emotional Development
These three prime areas are vital for building a solid foundation for learning. Pupils will learn to communicate to their full potential and to have their physical and emotional needs met. We also work closely with speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and IPASS, alongside other professionals to further ensure these needs are met.
The four specific areas of learning of the EYFS are also key to Cygnets & Ducklings classes and enable our pupils to have a broad, varied and rich curriculum. The difference of offer and experiences provided for these four areas in particular are what sets apart the two classes and their curriculums. These four areas are;
o Literacy
o Mathematics
o Understanding of the World
o Expressive arts and design
All of our learning is very hands on, with a play-based focus. We provide a range of multi-sensory experiences and make full use of our whole-school facilities including food technology room, 4D room, Rebound, sensory areas, swimming pool, woodland area and soft play. We have our own safe and secure outdoor areas and use the outdoors as much as possible. We have lots of fun!
Our staff are highly knowledgeable, dedicated and enthusiastic. They are keen to get to know you and your child and are always available to answer your questions. Children in these classes work on topics and themes similar to those studied throughout the school so they can be fully involved with whole school activities, where appropriate.
‘We have had brilliant communication from school. It has been regular and consistent. We are very confident in the school’s ability to care for and teach our child’…
‘I think you are all amazing, it can’t be easy yet you still carry on, I know my son is in safe hands’…
‘FHS have a very personal approach to every child’s needs’…
‘You are all doing an amazing job, I feel totally safe in sending my child to school. Thank you to each and every one of you’…
‘Love the certificates and badges on Marvellous Me! As well as messages in the home school book. We also enjoy reading the termly progress reports’…
‘Staff were so happy and jolly and the interaction with pupils was wonderful to see’…
‘The leadership team are very caring and amazing’…
‘FHS encourage children to be independent where appropriate ‘…
‘My son absolutely loved his signing lesson with Becky today!’…
‘Thank you for my daughter’s photos! Her smile says it all, she loves school so much!’…
‘My little boy loves school and his teachers are all amazing!’…
‘Thank you very much for everything that you do, we really appreciate it’…
‘Very approachable staff in class and in the office!’…
‘I love the switch button that we now get every night telling us what our child has been doing during the day. Love getting pictures on marvellous me. I feel fully informed of everything my child does in school’…
‘Freddie’s are accepting of my child’s needs and her class teacher has changed the whole school experience into a positive. I have total faith in her’…
‘Well done everyone and thanks so much for taking care of our precious poppets’…
‘Thank you to you all. You are all doing a fantastic job and I know my child is in very safe hands’…
‘You are all doing brilliantly. I have every confidence that my child is in a safe and secure environment. Thanks to all the staff at Freddie’s’…
‘Keep up the amazing work you do Freddie’s’…
‘My child enjoys attending FHS and we are amazed and very pleased with the progress he is making. Thank you very much for all the support we have been given throughout the pandemic!’…
‘Infinite thanks to all for your wonderful work! You have a magic school!’…
‘Think you all deserve a medal as big as a dustbin lid, thank you to each and every one of you who work at Freddies, you are doing a marvellous job’…
‘You are all doing brilliantly. I have every confidence that my child is in a safe and secure environment. Thanks to all the staff at Freddie’s’…
‘You are all doing a great job with our children’…