We are a very established staff with most staff having worked at the school for a number of years.  Although staff may have been in place for a few years, we are still a forward-thinking group who are always keen to try new initiatives to keep things fresh and exciting for our children.  

Yes, we do mix the classes ready for the following year, as we see the school as a whole community where it is good to know lots of people.  This can also help with rebalancing of classes where needed.  Teachers talk to the children and observe friendships closely to ensure all children have a friend to 'move up' with to ensure a smooth and positive transition for all.

A typical day in Year R consists of a balance between adult-directed and child-initiated play both indoors and outdoors. Children will spend a large proportion of their day experimenting with and applying their learning through play. They will also have a number of short carpet inputs throughout the day such as Phonics, Maths or Story Time. Adults will immerse themselves in children's play in order to skilfully facilitate children applying new skills in a way which interests and engages them, as well as working with small groups on planned actvities.

At Fleet Infant School we do not use an online observation platform. We do recognise that these updates are lovely to receive as parents, but we prioritise our Early Years Practitioners engaging, talking and playing with children and not modelling being behind the screen of an iPad. This helps us to know your children better and to build relationships and extend learning. We do however, post weekly updates on our class website pages where you can see descriptions and photographs of what the children have been doing.

From September 2026, we are proud to be following the Little Wandle Revised Letters and Sounds Programme for Phonics and Reading. We will hold a parent workshop in the Autumn term where you can find more about what the programme involves and how you can support at home.

Children have a number of opportunities to spend time with their new Year 1 teacher before the summer holidays.  In the first half term of Year 1, children have shorter direct teaching sessions and opportunities for self-chosen activities to apply their learning through play.

In Year R this is usually covered by the class teaching assistants and other staff who are familiar to the children.  This is typically for half a day each week.

All children begin school in September regardless of their birthday or age.  There will be a few half day sessions but all children are usually in full time by the second full week of term.  If your child is particularly tired or struggling with full time attendance, there is an option of part time attendance in discussion with school staff.

The classroom looks very much like a nursery classroom although there are more times when the class will sit together and do their learning e.g. phonics, register time, snack time, 'whizzy' maths.

Visits to the school before your child starts usually help to settle most children and they are generally excited to begin school.  If your child finds it hard to separate from you or is particularly anxious, we ask you to give them a kiss and cuddle, say goodbye and leave quickly.  Children are then distracted and whisked away and usually settle very quickly.  We will often ring you to let you know your child is now settled and were there to be any prolonged periods of crying, you always would be informed.

Our school promotes and support positive behaviour through encouraging children to make choices in line with our school values, verbal praise, stickers and other positive rewards such as certificates and class rewards. Where a child makes a mistake or a bad choice, they are expected to engage in a reflective conversation with a member of staff to discuss how they can put it right and avoid it happening again. If repeated undesirable behaviours occur, the school will work with parents on a joined up solution or plan for support.

Year R follows the EYFS Curriculum, similar to their nursery or pre-school.  Key Stage 1 children at Fleet Infant School (i.e. Years 1 and 2) access the National Curriculum.  This includes subjects such as Music, Drama, PE, DT, Science, History, RE, Art and Geography as well as English and Maths.

At Fleet Infant School we believe young children need to have time to relax and play after school as our children work very hard in a school day. Therefore, our homework expectations are minimal.  All children are expected to read with a parent daily, across the school.  Maths challenges are sent home half termly in Year R and every other week in KS1.  In KS1, a home learning project will be set half termly linked to the topic the children are studying in class e.g. a map of their route to school. KS1 have weekly spellings and mental maths targets to practise at home.

Our wraparound care is provided by an external company called Ace Kids who are based at Fleet Infant School.  Children can be dropped off from 7.45am and are then walked to their classrooms in time for the start of the day.  At the end of the day, they are collected from their classrooms and can be picked up anytime before 6pm.  Children can be booked in for as many sessions as needed and at short notice directly with Ace  Kids.  This provision carries a cost payable directly to Ace Kids.

During the Autumn and Spring terms, Year R have a number of visitors into school to enhance their curriculum e.g. drama story teller, Miller's Ark Farm, Chinese New Year performance.  Year R children go on a school trip in the summer term, linked to their curriculum.

We welcome parents into school on numerous occasions.  These include activities such as: 'book looks' where you can look at your child's work with them, Stay and Play, Easter Bonnet Parade, FISA Fest singing concert, class assemblies etc.

Children are provided with a fresh fruit or vegetable snack daily by the government.  Milk is also available free of charge for children under five and then chargeable should your child wish to continue having milk.

All infant-aged children are entitled to a free school lunch which consists of a hot meat or vegetarian meal or a cold baguette option.  All choices are accompanied by our salad bar. Any child with a specific dietary requirement for medical reasons can also be catered for.

All Year R classes have a full-time teacher and a full-time Learning Support Assistant to support the children's learning and development in class.  In KS1 there is a full-time teacher in each class and a Learning Support Assistant for mornings only.

Staff at Fleet Infant School are very experienced at providing extra support for those children who take longer to grasp concepts as well as extending those who grasp concepts easily.  Extension work is mainly through differentiated work in class and guided work with the class teacher.  Support work may be in class and also through small group or individual support to practise a certain skill.

We pride ourselves on our open door policy and welcome conversations with parents about their children.  Staff are happy to discuss specific children with their parents after school either through a quick chat or an arranged meeting. We do ask that parents avoid conversation in the mornings where possible as this impacts a smooth start to the day but parents can always email the office if needed. We would prefer to know of any concerns as soon as possible so we can work together to help settle them quickly.

We hope that your family will join us in September 2027 and until then, here are a few things you can be practising over the year to get your child ready for school.