At Western Downland, we see the Foundation Stage as the essential “foundation” to enable children to succeed in their future Learning Journey. We ensure that each child has access to an education that is uniquely suited to them as individual learners, where they can explore, discover, create and learn through play, within a well provisioned environment. Our dedicated and experienced Early Years team ensure a caring ethos where children can thrive.
We welcome children into Key Stage One after the Foundation Stage.
Sharing one site ensures we work closely as a team and the children benefit from a seamless transition.
We have two adjoining classrooms:
• Willow Class (Year1)
• Maple Class (Year 2)
We value the importance of building confidence and independence throughout the Key Stage. This ensures that children are developing valuable life skills and preparing for Key Stage 2. Children are taught the key skills in English, Maths and Science through creative experiences within an engaging curriculum.
Through continuous assessment on a daily basis we ensure that all children build upon their knowledge, understanding and skills.
Children move from the Damerham to Rockbourne site at the end of Year 2. Teachers work in partnership to ensure that this transition is managed sensitively.
We provide an exciting and stimulating curriculum that enables pupils to learn in a variety of ways. Learning is enriched through the use of educational visits, expert visitors and engaging resources. Children will be encouraged to develop their knowledge in a wide range of subjects but will also be given opportunities to extend their learning skills through investigation, enquiry and creative thinking. The core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science remain at the heart of children’s learning. Throughout their learning journey, children’s progress is recognised and celebrated.
At the beginning of Year 6, children and parents will be asked to decide on which school they wish to attend in the following year. As a school, we work hard to ensure the children’s move from their primary to secondary school is an exciting and positive experience. Most of our children move onto The Burgate School in Fordingbridge. Some children choose to take the eleven plus examination and may proceed onto The Bishop’s School for boys or South Wilts Grammar School for girls which are both located in Salisbury or attend other schools in the locality such as the Trafalgar School in Downton.