At Phoenix Primary school, we are very fortunate to have been able to specifically design our whole environment for our children! Our learning environment is safely fenced in so that children can access the outdoors whatever the weather!
We have designed a learning environment to serve our children’s interests, it encourages them to be independent learners, solve problems, ask questions and seek answers!
Our Mud Kitchen
Our Outside Area
How can I get my child ready for school?
Here is the big news: when your child starts primary school, we do not expect them to be able to read and write!
Every child comes to school with different experiences and skills. It is our job to ensure that all children have equal opportunity to develop the necessary skills and knowledge throughout their time with us.
There are many things that you can do with your child that make the transition into school easier for everyone. Some of these things are discussed in the BBC Starting School Programme (detailed opposite). Below is a list of things that we would love your child to be able to do or to have practised when they come into school:
Dress themselves: Girls should have a go at putting on and taking off tights if they are going to wear these to school. Some parents choose to send their girls into school wearing socks on PE days. Boys, have a go at using the zips on trousers!
Put on and take off their own shoes: This may mean that they need shoes with Velcro and not laces or buckles.
Go to the toilet independently: Including wiping themselves and washing their hands.
Earrings: If your child wears earrings, these have to be removed for school.
We will of course never leave a child to do something themselves if they can’t and there will be children who have very specific needs. We will always encourage a child to have a go if we think it is appropriate and then support them in being successful.
In the first few weeks we will sit down to talk to you, hopefully answer some of your questions and find out if your child has any specific needs that we can help with.
Useful Websites
If you go to this website, you will find a list of storybooks all about starting school. These might be a nice way to start talking to your child about this huge step in their life and alleviate any worries that they might have:
https://www.theschoolrun.com/best-books-about-starting-school
Starting School Campaign (BBC)
Starting school is a huge milestone in both you and your child’s life. Whilst it is very exciting, we also understand that you may have questions and worries. Learning to hand over your child to another person’s care can be a worrying time.
What will primary school life be like?
What can you do to prepare yourself and your child for the very best start?
The Starting Primary School campaign offers a toolkit of practical advice, support and resources for parents, guardians and children across a wide range of areas including school life, daily routine, sleep and how to support children practically and emotionally.
Starting Primary School also provides videos and articles for parents featuring information from experts and been-there-done-that tips from other parents. Your children can also explore their questions about school by playing a fun interactive game.
