Inquisitive, enquiring, confident, hesitant, creative,
articulate........ you add your own words to describe the young Reception child. Whichever words you choose I am sure you will acknowledge that each child has their own personality and throughout that first year in school their individuality can both challenge and reward the adults sharing their day.
Action Research in school enables us to look closely at an area of interest within the classroom / across the year group / within a small group of schools.
The discipline is to:-
stay focussed on the agreed area of enquiry
stay within the timescale agreed
be clear who you feedback the outcome to
Action Research is a valuable tool for professional debate.
Areas of focus.
1. Curriculum Planning and Assessment.
Oakdale Infants School
Manford Primary
Woodlands Infants
Aldersbrook Primary
2. Transition and Role Play.
Highlands Primary School
Newbury Park Primary
3. Parental Engagement.
Clore Tikva Primary School
Roding Primary School.
Outcomes from the 3 Action Research Projects. Discussion Points for schools...
The importance of close liaison between Reception and Year 1 staff ongoing throughout the year but particularly important in planning the Transition agenda.
The opportunity for Reception children to visit the Year 1 area and meet with the staff who will be working with them next year. This could be for a short period each week during the last half of the Summer Term.
The importance of the use of Profile data from Reception when considering the level of work to be set for the new Year 1 group....each new year should be considered independently. The data is available in school at the end of the Summer Term.
The layout of the Year 1 room in September to echo the Reception experience. The changing organisation of the room during the Autumn Term and throughout the year to reflect the growing maturity and developing needs of the cohort.
The availability of appropriate resources. The possibility of using some Reception resources not required until the Spring intake. Funding for appropriate furniture and resources. Access to outdoor play facilities.
Access to the Support Staff as needed to match the level of identified need using the Profile data from Reception.
The involvement and support of the Senior Staff.
The engagement of family members to actively support their child’s learning and development.
