Learning is an Adventure

Falcons Prep introduces its exciting ethos for its new Reception class

Falcons Prep’s ethos of “Learning is an Adventure”, has been at the forefront of our minds in designing our first Early Years environment. This philosophy is central to our boys flourishing, reaching their potential and developing important life skills central to their success. Some of the key areas we have focussed on include: Communication and Language, and Personal, Social and Emotional Development.

We wanted to create a transition for children between home and school that would enable early relationships to be formed, and effective links to be forged between the two. This included a home visit, an onsite familiarisation visit and the creation of The Nest (our online Early Years Hub) that provides activities and Forest School sessions for families. As boys entered Reception, instead of diving directly into formal and structured learning, they were given the time and space to play alongside our Early Years specialists. This enabled them to settle properly and for us to focus on their holistic development. To support Personal, Social and Emotional Development, we regularly visit our on-site Forest School. Here, our boys embrace our mindfulness sessions, enjoy the fresh air, and are given the freedom to explore. Driving this is our desire to enhance dispositions such as resilience, curiosity, independence, collaboration and risktaking so as to nurture confident, life-long learners, ready to face similar challenges in the future.

To support Communication and Language skills, we promote rich conversations. Our open-ended role play areas where boys use real-life resources encourages imaginative play. For example, a curiosity cube is used to stimulate new ideas and questioning. Our new Falcons Fledglings have now been with us for four weeks and have quickly become part of the Falcons family. They are building positive relationships, developing as individuals and displaying the confidence to make mistakes, persevere and be themselves.

JAMES DAVIS, Head of Early Years & Forest School Lead at Falcons Prep Richmond www.falconsprep.co.uk

TURN TO P12 to read about Miss Olivia Buchanan and the new Falcons Reception podcast interview