At our school, we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds programme, a Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) approach that ensures all children learn to read and write in a structured and consistent way. Children are taught phonics daily, starting with letters and sounds, blending and segmenting words, and progressing to reading full sentences. The programme includes decodable books matched to children’s phonics knowledge, regular assessments, and targeted catch-up sessions to support any child who needs extra help. By following Little Wandle, we ensure that every child develops strong foundational reading skills, builds confidence, and becomes a fluent and enthusiastic reader. For more information, visit the Little Wandle website.
We recognise that teaching and learning in English is an essential part of the whole development of all children, including SEN and disadvantaged children, for their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. It enables them to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate effectively. The teaching of English is broken into four strands – Phonics, Reading, Writing and Handwriting and Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling.
Reading is at the heart of our curriculum and is essential to building vocabulary and other key skills. Our English lessons are planned around carefully chosen, high quality books designed to promote enjoyment and engagement in both reading and writing.
Our teaching and learning in English is intended to help mitigate possible barriers to learning. Speaking and listening skills are developed at every opportunity throughout all lessons. At Ellington Infant School, we want all pupils to leave Year 2 reading and writing with confidence, fluency and understanding, using a range of independent strategies to begin to take responsibility for their own learning. We want them to have a love of reading and a desire to read for enjoyment. Finally, we want them to have a keen interest in words and their meanings and have the confidence to explore the language they are learning so they can communicate effectively and confidently.
At Ellington, we believe that mathematics is an essential life skill for all children. In the Early Years, children develop basic number sense, problem-solving skills, understanding of shapes and measures, and spatial awareness. Moving into Key Stage 1, they build on this foundation to develop reasoning, calculation, and problem-solving skills across all areas of mathematics. We follow the White Rose Maths Hub planning and progression documents to ensure children gain a deep, long-term, secure, and adaptable understanding of mathematical concepts. Lessons follow a concrete–pictorial–abstract approach, include key vocabulary, and reinforce number knowledge across all areas, from place value to measurement, shape, fractions, and calculations.
In the classroom, we create a safe environment where making mistakes is part of learning and mathematical talk is encouraged to clarify, refine, and extend understanding. Teachers plan lessons with potential misconceptions in mind, using questioning and discussion to identify gaps and challenge pupils appropriately. Our approach ensures that all children, with support as needed, can achieve high standards, develop fluency, reason mathematically, and solve both routine and complex problems with confidence.
Our children enjoy a broad and balanced curriculum that includes a range of foundation subjects alongside English and Mathematics. These subjects include History, Geography, Art and Design, Design and Technology, Computing, Music, Physical Education (PE) and Religious Education (RE). Through these subjects, children develop creativity, curiosity, and a wider understanding of the world around them. Science is a core subject within the National Curriculum and is taught regularly throughout the year; however, lessons are often timetabled in the afternoons, where children can take part in practical investigations, exploration, and hands-on learning experiences. This approach allows children to develop their scientific knowledge while building important skills such as questioning, observing, and problem solving.
Religious Education (RE) is a statutory part of the curriculum for all pupils in maintained schools in England. Under Section 71(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, parents and carers have the legal right to withdraw their child from all or part of RE lessons. If you wish to do so, please inform the school in writing. While your child is withdrawn, the school will supervise them on site, but is not required to provide alternative teaching. This right applies only to RE and does not extend to other subjects where children may learn about religions or worldviews. We encourage parents to discuss any concerns with the Senior Leadership Team to understand how RE is taught at our school.