Broad Learning Experiences

Acorn offers a rich and holistic education across each area of the curriculum. 

Daily Circle Times (AM and PM) – covering topics agreed on termly planning, discussions, singing and games.

Communication  –  open ended questions invite longer responses and encourage children to build upon their answer's and to go into as much detail as they are able.
Concentration – sitting and listening skills. 

Confidence  – putting hand up to answer questions and speak in front of peers, counting the children, putting the books away. 

Language Skills – answering questions and mirroring appropriate sentence structures – “my book is about…”

French Lessons - Every Friday Morning 

Learning a new language can enhance cognitive skills, challenging the brain and leading to improved problem-solving skills, creativity and critical thinking skills.  Learning French at Acorn also exposes them to a new fascinating culture, traditions and landmarks. 

Computer Lessons 

Learning to use a mouse, hand and eye coordination, increasing concentration skills and all-around confidence. 

Extensive Arts and Craft opportunities 

Each day the children will have access to free painting opportunities within the classroom

Additionally, craft projects take place daily in the classroom and in the hall for all children. 

School Trips

Each year we have a farm come to the school, using the extensive outdoor area to   set up our own farm with animals that can be fed, stroked and held by the children. Goats, sheep, a pony, ducks, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, tortoises and many more. 

For children in our older year group, we go on a coach to locations for an entire  day. Locations such as Hertfordshire Zoo and Willows Farm.

This outing for some children marks the first occasion away without their families with a school group and builds such confidence in the child. 

Music, Drama, Singing & Using Instruments

Children   have the opportunity to sing, play instruments, dance, mime and act out musical games to a keyboard accompaniment.

Easter Concert – 

Opportunity   to perform songs about what they have been doing during their time at school. Opportunity to connect with parents and display work also building confidence in the children to speak and sing before an audience. 

Christmas Play - 

Opportunity for children to act a role and perform learnt songs in front of parents and close relatives.  Children feel a sense of personal pride and grow in confidence when performing their songs and lines to the best of their ability. This is also a wonderful opportunity for the children to work as a team to achieve a wonderful end result.

Living Egg Project 

Children observe the hatching of chicks and then care for them during their first 2 weeks of life. Observing them, feeding them, and holding them with gentle hands. Building on the following skills: 

Numeracy   – counting of the eggs: how many have hatched? how many chicks are there? how many are left to hatch? etc.

Literacy & Language – increasing vocabulary talking about the life cycle, describing the hatching process, naming the chicks.

Insect   Lore Butterfly Growers

The children observe first-hand the life cycle of the caterpillar through to   releasing the butterflies from our school garden. This helps develop an  understanding of nature and the process of the life cycle. 

Sports Day 

Sports day involves co-operating as part of a group, demonstrating turn taking, encouraging friends to reach their potential, and individually participating in a variety of different races. This event demonstrates gross motor strengths.

Obstacle Course raising money for Dr Benardos

 Each child receives   the opportunity to complete the obstacle race including balancing, roly   polys, throwing, kicking a ball, crawling through a tunnel to raise money for Dr Barnardo’s.

Stretch and Move

Children in their second year experience sessions were we look at what our bodies can do. We talk about exercise and the positive impacts on our bodies. We explore movements our bodies can make, we stretch and move and get our hearths pumping. 

Woodland School

Opportunities to explore their natural curiosity for living things, together with the world around them. Exploring the woodland environment, collecting leaves, sticks and grading and ordering them. Exploration of insects, bugs and wildlife whilst reinforcing how to take care and respect their environment.