For all admissions queries, please contact 01962 854757 or email admissions@westgate.hants.sch.uk

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Admission criteria and further details can be found at the top of this page

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Our children are nurtured within a play-based curriculum which is broad and balanced using indoors and outdoors spaces with both adult-led and child-initiated learning. The play is enjoyable, devised to promote thinking and problem solving, and improve language competence and encourage the exploration and investigation of materials. Our specialist Early Years Foundation Stage Leader oversees provision in both our Lower School Reception Year and our Nursery, ensuring continuity for all children who progress through this route as well as from other settings.  

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Our aim throughout the Westgate Early Years is to provide every child with a happy, secure and stimulating environment in partnership with parents and carers. We believe every child is unique and our Early Years’ Team have high expectations of what all our children can achieve. We support each individual to overcome any barriers to learning so that they can reach their potential. The Early Years Foundation is framed around the characteristics of effective learning.

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• playing

• exploring

• active learning

• creating

• thinking critically

These provide a framework for learning upon which our curriculum in the Primary and Secondary Phase are built. We believe that a firm foundation in Year R and an early mastery of the basic skills enables all pupils to successfully access the wider curriculum as they progress through the primary years and beyond. 

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Initial reading and writing skills are taught in Reception using the Government Letters and Sounds scheme which provides pupils with a rigorous and thorough grounding. 

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Early Mathematical skills are taught using concrete resources and through purposeful play.  Children are taught to apply their early skills in different everyday situations.