At Acorn Academy, ​our learning and teaching is designed to comply with the demands of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the National Curriculum.  Children learn through discovery, reasoning and thought and we give them a wide variety of experiences so that they learn to formulate their own ideas and observations.  We teach children phonics using 'Twinkl Phonics' and we use 'Rhino Reader' books which are organised into levels in each classroom. The books match with our Twinkl Phonics Scheme which enables the children to use and apply the phonics skills they are learning. We follow the National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum to ensure the children receive a broad and balanced curriculum. Weekly updates are shared with parents via the school's 'Learning Links' newsletter.  The pace of learning will vary according to the age and ability of the children.  Our main aim is that all children, from whatever background and with whatever difficulties or advantages, may experience a sense of achievement in our care.  We also aim to teach children how they learn in order to give them the necessary skills to develop into lifelong learners.

Early Years Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception)

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides a curriculum for our children between three and five years old.  The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is divided into seven areas of learning:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Literacy
• Mathematical development
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

The philosophy of the Early Years Foundation Stage is that children learn best through play and by promoting active, exploratory and practical experiences.  All the activities involve sensory and relevant life experiences, which engage children in the fun and joy of learning.

Key Stage One (Year 1 and Year 2)

Key Stage One provides a curriculum for our pupils aged between five and seven years old.  All infant schools are required to teach a broad and balanced curriculum which includes ten national curriculum subjects, religious education:​ and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE).

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Computing
• Design and technology
• History
• Geography
• Art and design
• Music
• Physical education
• Religious education
• PSHE/RSE

To find out more about the curriculum, please contact the school office or your child's class teacher in the first instance.