Infants' School
Curriculum
The DUCKS curriculum is specifically designed to take the best of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum. Our independence allows us to develop each child's skills at their own pace, often well above the national average, and maintain a rich and broad curriculum that caters to the whole child.
Our curriculum prepares children for 7+ assessments, but more importantly, for life beyond DUCKS. Our approach to learning, initially through inquiry, play and activity, gives the best possible motivation and engenders a life-long love of learning.
Pre-Reception (ages 3 - 4 years)
The Pre-Reception classes (Herons and Moorhens) provide a structured and stimulating environment, giving our children their first taste of school life.
We continue to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage.
The curriculum is play-based and children are actively involved in talking about their experiences, sharing their ideas, learning both co-operatively and independently and celebrating their achievements with their friends and teachers.
Reception (ages 4 - 5 years)
In their second year in the Infants' School, the children in the Reception classes (Lapwings, Puffins and Swans) build on their academic, social, emotional and physical development. This is where their confidence and independence are developed further as tasks are devised to challenge and inspire learning in a cooperative, caring and positive environment.
Children are given opportunities to speak out, to star on stage in our nativity play and to represent their house in the wider school.
Years 1 and 2 (5 - 7 years)
Throughout a child's time at DUCKS, learning becomes gradually more formal and sophisticated. Children in Years 1 (Kingfishers, Sandpipers and Teals) and Year 2 (Avocets, Curlews and Mandarins) remain with their class teacher for most of their day, with specialist lessons in music, sport and French.
The curriculum is challenging, engaging and fun. There is a strong focus on skills in Literacy and mathematics, which many of our children achieve well beyond the national norm. Through active learning and inquiry over a range of interesting and varied themes, children are intrinsically motivated to learn.
All classrooms open out onto the playground as outdoor learning is important to us throughout the school.
