Welcome to the Pioneers

​

Within the Pioneers we have three classes:

 

• Scafell

• Snowdon

• Ben Nevis

​

These fantastic classes consist of children in Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) together with seven members of staff (highly qualified teachers and teaching assistants) to help support us during our time in school.

​

An exciting curriculum

During their time in Pioneers children will explore a vast array of exciting topics including Space, Our Natural World, Australia and The Extremes, just to name a few! In our amazing classrooms they will find extensive continuous provision areas including cookery, woodwork, science and art, as well as a block area filled with small world animals, which we love!

​

Sensory breaks

Our department is also equipped with a wonderful Sensory Room, allowing children to access sensory breaks, movement breaks, intervention groups and quiet breakout spaces.

​

The great outdoors

During our Challenge Days, which happen once a week, we pull on our wellies and coats to take part in fabulous Outdoor Education sessions. We learn how to use a range of tools, read maps, navigate and cook on an open fire. As well as learning these valuable skills we also have lots of fun taking part in fun-filled adventure activities such as grass sledging, tightrope walking and zooming down huge water slides!

​

Teaching and learning

Within our department, all our lessons are taught in small family groups of around 12 children or less. This ensures that each child gets the support and challenge they need to build the strongest foundations in their learning across all areas of our curriculum.

​

Practical learning opportunities

In Pioneers, we believe that providing children with lots of practical opportunities to learn new skills is incredibly important, so half our weekly writing and maths sessions are carried out practically, using a wide range of handson resources. While our busy mornings consist of the quality-first teaching of reading, writing and maths, our afternoons are much more relaxed and allow us to take part in a wide range of projects, geared around our current topics. The afternoons also enable us to partake in challenges we access independently through time in continuous provision, such as baking our own cakes or building our own models!

​

Trips, visits and events

The Pioneer department holds a Space Camp Sleepover within the school grounds to celebrate our Space topic. The children enjoy a range of space-themed activities before venturing out into the dark on the school field to look at the stars through a telescope. Our classes also go on a range of visits to settings outside the school including the beach, the woods, the Centre for Life and the Discovery museum, just to name a few.

​

Into the wild

Children in Year 2 even get the chance to visit the Lake District for an overnight camping experience in the wild.

​

And even more...

Every day we take part in Big Play at dinner time, pulling on wellies and waterproofs so that we can be outside come rain or shine. We choose from lots of different activities such as Forest School, mountain biking, grass sledging, team games, bouncing in the soft play tent and so much more.

​

​