Dulwich College Beijing Learning and Teaching policy Early Years
Introduction At Dulwich College Beijing, our children live and learn in a diverse, exciting and challenging environment. We believe that in order for children to grow and develop into life long learners and responsible global citizens, learning and teaching should be underpinned by: • • • • • • •
Effective communication Developing independence Making decisions and problem solving Positive relationships Celebrating diversity Creativity Play
Introduction
Creativity • • •
Learning opportunities that are practical, engaging and use diverse and exciting resources Offering openended learning activities that encourage children to express themselves Following the children’s interests and being flexible in our approach to planning
Play • •
Promoting play as a planned and purposeful part of our curriculum Providing opportunities and sufficient time for play through appropriate stimuli such as roleplay areas and resources
Effective communication • • •
Placing speaking and listening opportunities as a priority in all areas of school life Respecting children’s home language and its role in the development of learning English Promoting a range of different models for communication throughout the curriculum, in areas such as ICT, reading, writing, music, art and drama
Developing Independence • •
Giving children the confidence and belief in themselves to take risks Encouraging class routines that allow children to take responsibility for themselves and their environment
Positive Relationships • • • •
Creating an environment based on respect and care for others Explicitly addressing relationships and emotional needs Planning activities that encourage collaboration and team work Developing a working partnership with key careers
Positive Relationships • •
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Creating an environment based on respect and care for others Explicitly addressing relationships and emotional needs Planning activities that encourage collaboration and team work Developing a working partnership with key careers
Celebrating Diversity • • •
Ensuring the curriculum reflects and promotes a global viewpoint Creating a sense of belonging within our school community Offering children the opportunities to express themselves as unique individuals
Learning Environment At Dulwich College Beijing we believe it is imperative to provide a learning environment that will: •Support and extend children’s development and learning •Promote effective partnership between Teachers, Assistant Teachers, support staff and the wider community, working together to ensure a high standard of learning and teaching •Be stimulating and attractive, complemented by and a wellconsidered and flexible lay out •Reflect the positive behaviour management policy of the school •Enable free movement between indoors and outdoors, where possible •Have resources that are open–ended, attractive and multifunctional
Learning Environment
Learning and Teaching in the Foundation Stage The Curriculum •
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Is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which focuses on the six areas of development – Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication, Language and Literacy; Problem Solving Reasoning and Numeracy; Physical Development; Knowledge and Understanding of the World; and Creative Development. Is playbased Includes provision for Chinese language and culture
Planning • • • •
Is responsive –based on observations and the interests of the children Takes into account the next steps of each individual child’s development Involves all practitioners in the class Reflects the areas of provision such as sand and water, roleplay and markmaking
Learning and Teaching in the Foundation Stage
Learning and Teaching in Key Stage 1 The Curriculum • Follows the National Curriculum for England and Wales, but is adapted to suit our international context • Has an emphasis on practical activities: investigation, problem solving, and activities that develop children’s skills, creativity and understanding • Recognises the importance of children recording their work but not as the focus of their learning • Reflects the importance of ICT and integrates technology throughout all subjects • Makes cross curricular links where relevant • Includes provision for Chinese language and culture
Learning and Teaching in Key Stage 1 Planning • Has clear Learning Objectives that are shared with the children and build on previous learning • Shows differentiation and how the needs of all children are being met • Encompasses all areas of the curriculum and recognises that many unplanned learning opportunities will present themselves throughout the day