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Ducklings

Welcome to Ducklings Class (Year R)

Mini Movers Club

Lots of fun has been had this term in James' Mini Movers - with two older children assistants. They have spent some time working on interacting with props to enhance their movements. The children have used a clear plastic ball to represent a floating bubble.

Joe Wicks

We joined hundreds of other schools in a high-energy workout to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week. We discovered how moving our bodies can boost our mood, build resilience and support our mental wellbeing. Both staff and children enjoyed fifteen minutes of exercises in the hall - what a great end to our school day!

Sacconi Quartet

What a special treat we had today! The incredible Sacconi Quartet delivered a phenomenal performance and workshop with us in the school hall and what an amazing privilege it was. We were so lucky to experience such a special performance from this world famous classical music string quartet. We learnt that the Sacconi Quartet was founded in 2001 by four graduates of the Royal College of Music, Ben, Hannah, Robin and Cara. We also learnt some Italian words about the way the mus

COOL Time

This week in Ducklings Class, our COOL time has been full of exciting seaside adventures and hands-on learning! The children loved our fishing game, where they 'caught' fish and read the numbers they found, helping to build confidence in early maths skills and number recognition through playful learning. In the sandpit, the children enjoyed making sandcastles and designing their very own flags. This was a hugely popular activity that encouraged imagination, fine motor develop

Ducklings’ Trip to Beach School

Ducklings have been for another fantastic Beach School session. With the tide lower than usual, we were able to take a different route, walking through the boat docking bay and around to Sunny Sands, which created lots of excitement and curiosity. Along the way, we talked about beach safety, including the warning signs for soft mud, and how to keep ourselves safe in this environment. When we reached the rocky area, the children explored seaweed attached to the rocks and were

Bioplastics

Ducklings class had a super exciting science session with Victoria’s mum. We learned all about plastics and discovered that they are used in lots of everyday things. We talked about why plastics can be really useful because they are strong and can last a long time, but also why they can be harmful, especially to animals and our oceans, because they do not break down easily. Then came the fun part. We made our very own bioplastic. First, we mixed cornflour with water. Next, we

Ducklings at Beach School

Ducklings had their very first Beach School session, and it’s safe to say it was a huge success! The children were incredibly sensible as we walked down to the sunny beach, demonstrating excellent behaviour and strong awareness of road safety along the way. Once we arrived, the children couldn’t wait to enjoy the wide, open space. They had a quick run across the sand, making the most of the freedom to move and explore in a safe, natural environment. This kind of active outdoo

Easter Service 2026

On the final day of term, our school community came together for a very special Easter service at St Eanswythe's Church. Over the past few weeks, the children have been busy preparing songs, poems, artwork and readings to help retell the Easter story. It was a truly collaborative celebration, with every class contributing something unique and meaningful. The service began with a joyful reflection on Palm Sunday, with Ducklings waving palm leaves and singing, setting the scene

St Eanswythe's Easter Bonnet Parade 2026

This week, the children of St Eanswythe’s took part in our much-loved Easter Bonnet Parade, bringing a wonderful splash of colour and creativity to our local community. After some careful crafting at home, the children arrived at school proudly with their spectacular Easter bonnets. Each one was unique, decorated with bright spring flowers, chicks, eggs and ribbons, a real celebration of the season! We then set off on a special parade around The Bayle and the churchyard of St

Balance Ability

Over the past couple of weeks, our Ducklings class have had a fantastic time taking part in their Balance Ability sessions! The children have approached each workshop with enthusiasm and growing confidence as they developed key skills such as balance, coordination, control and spatial awareness. Through fun and engaging activities, they have been learning how to move safely and steadily, improving their core strength and posture along the way. It has been wonderful to see the

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Ducklings Class latest blogs

Term 5 - The Seaside and Growing

Welcome to Term 5! Our theme this term is The Seaside and Growing, and we are excited to take the children on a journey of discovery inspired by coastal life and the natural world. Throughout the term, we will encourage curiosity, creativity, and learning across all areas of the EYFS framework as the children explore seaside environments and how things grow and change.
Below, we have highlighted what the children will be exploring and learning over the term.

We are always happy to hear from you, no matter how small your question or concern may seem. You can call the school or send an email at any time and we will get back to you as soon as we can. We will also be at the door during drop-off and pick-up. These are busy times as our focus is on ensuring every child is safe and settled, and we appreciate your patience. Please know we are always here to support both you and your child.

Early Years Curriculum Overview for Term 5 ‘Seaside and Growing’
The Early Years curriculum is organised into several key areas. Below, you will find an overview of what your child will be learning in each area during their first term. You can use this as a way to talk with them at home and share in their experiences. It’s perfectly normal if their answer to “What did you do at school today?” is “I can’t remember!” We will also aim to post a weekly blog so you can see some of the exciting activities and learning your child has been enjoying.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

This term, children will develop their personal, social and emotional skills as they explore topics such as seaside adventures, life under the sea, pirates, minibeasts, growing food, and lifecycles. They will take part in group activities and imaginative play, learning to share ideas, take turns, and work cooperatively with others. As they learn about caring for plants, minibeasts, and the environment, children will build a sense of responsibility and empathy. Exploring themes of growth and change will also support them in understanding their own feelings, developing confidence, and forming positive relationships with their peers.

Communication and Language

This term, children will develop their communication and language skills by engaging in rich conversations, storytelling, and imaginative play linked to seaside adventures, pirates, minibeasts, and lifecycles. We will explore key texts such as The Boy Who Unplugged the Sea and The Hungry Caterpillar, using these stories to introduce new vocabulary and encourage discussion about events, characters, and ideas. During our Beach School sessions, children will have opportunities to talk about their experiences, describe what they see, and follow instructions in a real-life context. Throughout the term, we will support children in listening carefully, expressing their thoughts and feelings, and becoming confident communicators.

Physical Development

This term, the children will develop their physical skills through a range of active and hands-on experiences. During Beach School sessions, they will build strength, balance, and coordination as they explore the natural environment, climb, dig, and move in different ways. Fine motor skills will be supported through activities such as planting seeds, handling small tools, and creative tasks linked to minibeasts and lifecycles. Through both indoor and outdoor play, children will gain confidence in their movements while developing control, coordination, and an awareness of how to keep their bodies healthy and safe.

Literacy

This term, children will continue developing their phonics skills by recapping known sounds, learning new ones, and practising segmenting and blending CVC words, as well as recognising tricky/red words. They will bring home targeted phonics sheets, RWI ditties or books, and will also choose a new reading-for-pleasure book each week to share at home.
We will continue sharing our book reviews in class, building on the success from last term. The children really enjoyed this and were so proud to present their favourite parts. There was a real buzz of excitement as they saw how many of their friends they persuaded to choose their book the following week.

In writing, children will use their sounds on Fred Fingers, with a focus on hearing and recording initial and final sounds. Our Talk for Writing focus texts this term are The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch and The Hungry Caterpillar, which children will explore through storytelling, actions, and drawing before writing, supporting their language, creativity, confidence, and early storytelling skills.

Mathematics

This term children will build confidence with numbers to 10 (and counting beyond) through practical, play-based activities. They will practise counting larger sets, including things that cannot be seen, and develop their subitising skills up to 6, including recognising structured arrangements. Children will explore number composition, including understanding ‘5 and a bit’ and different ways to make 10, as well as comparing quantities using language linked to order. They will also enjoy playing track games, supporting their counting and turn-taking skills.

At home, you can continue to support your children in simple and fun ways. Encourage your child to count in everyday situations, such as counting steps, toys, or snacks, and even things they can’t see, like claps or jumps. Play simple board or track games to practise turn-taking and counting on. You can also help develop subitising by quickly showing small groups of objects (like spots on dice) and asking “how many?” without counting. Talk about numbers in different ways, for example making 5 using different combinations or exploring ways to make 10. Using language such as more, fewer, and the same during play will also help build their confidence and understanding.

Understanding the World
This term the children will develop their understanding of the world by exploring the natural environment and learning about living things. They will investigate seaside habitats, discover minibeasts, and learn how plants grow and change over time. During our Beach School sessions, children will experience hands-on learning in a real-life environment, observing, exploring, and talking about what they see. These experiences will encourage curiosity, questioning, and a growing awareness of the world around them.

Expressive Arts and Design

This term the children will explore Expressive Arts and Design by engaging in a range of creative and imaginative activities. They will use different materials to create seaside scenes, minibeasts, and plants, developing their skills in drawing, painting, and model making. Through role play, such as pirate adventures and seaside journeys, children will use their imagination to act out stories and experiences. They will also explore music, movement, and rhythm, expressing their ideas and feelings in creative ways while building confidence and individuality.

Reading

Please enjoy the books your child brings home and share them together. The more children are encouraged to read and be read to, the more confident and enthusiastic they will become.

Reading is an essential life skill.
Listening to stories brings comfort and helps children focus.
It gives them knowledge and language to talk about the world.
Understanding stories helps them see how words and sentences fit together.
Exploring fiction, non-fiction, poems, rhymes, and songs builds their vocabulary and love of language.

Important Reminders

Please label everything your child brings to school (stamp, sticker, or pen) so lost items can be returned. Please check that the labels you have put in are still attached and not faded.
PE is every Friday and children will come to school in their full PE kit.
If someone different is collecting your child, let us know at drop-off, by email, or by phoning the school office.
Thank you for your support and please feel free to ask us about anything at all. We are so excited to begin this exciting term and cannot wait to see all the adventures ahead!

The Ducklings Team