Strong Foundations at Boasley Cross Primary School

At Boasley Cross Primary, our aim is simple: to give every child the strongest possible start so they grow in confidence, develop secure early skills and are fully ready for the next steps in their education.

For us, Strong Foundations means making sure that children in the early years and Key Stage 1 experience high‑quality teaching, carefully planned practice and a supportive environment that helps them feel successful every day.

🔹 Securing the Basics Early

At Boasley Cross, we focus on the essential early skills that children need to thrive.
This includes:

• daily high‑quality phonics teaching
• rich communication and language opportunities
• structured early writing and maths sessions
• continuous provision that develops physical, social and emotional skills

Children revisit key skills regularly and have lots of opportunities to practise them in meaningful, enjoyable ways. Our small classes enable teachers to spot gaps quickly and provide immediate, bespoke support.

🔹 A Clear and Coherent Curriculum

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that each new small step builds securely on what pupils already know.
At Boasley Cross this looks like:

• clear progression maps from Reception to Year 2
• well-planned routines in reading, writing and maths
• practical, hands‑on experiences to reinforce understanding
• consistent language, models and expectations across classes

Because our curriculum is structured and predictable it supprots children in feeling settled, confident and ready to learn.

🔹 Fluency and Mastery

We give children time to become truly confident in the basics before moving on.
This means:

• practising early reading daily
• rehearsing number skills until they are secure
• supporting writing step-by-step, from mark making to sustained sentences

Our priority is that every child feels successful, enjoys learning and has the strong foundations they need for later challenges.

🔹 Helping Every Child Succeed

At Boasley Cross, we know our children extremely well. Teachers adapt learning, provide targeted support and make sure that all children — including those who may need extra time or practice — experience achievement.

Intervention and support are woven into daily routines rather than added on top, so children stay confident and included.

How We Embed Strong Foundations at Boasley Cross

Below are links that explain how key aspects of foundational provision look in our school:

• Handwriting
• Spelling
• Maths Fluency
• Communication and Language

Spelling at Boasley Cross

Spelling begins with daily Read Write Inc. phonics in the early years and Year 1. Children learn sounds, spelling patterns and tricky words using consistent routines across the school.

From Year 2 onwards, pupils follow a structured daily spelling programme that builds systematically on earlier teaching. Children regularly revisit words and patterns and apply them in their independent writing.
We regroup children frequently to make sure everyone receives the right level of practice and challenge.

You can find out more here

Handwriting at Boasley Cross

Handwriting starts early through Read Write Inc. routines, fine-motor activities and daily practice in Reception and Year 1. Children learn accurate letter formation, correct pencil grip and confidence on the page.

In Key Stage 1, pupils learn to position letters on the line, develop control over size and spacing and form capital letters and numbers correctly.
By Key Stage 2, children are introduced to joined handwriting through a careful structured programme of building handwriting skills with the aim of producing fluent, legible writing across all subjects.

Where needed, we provide additional support such as motor‑skills groups, small‑group sessions or personalised guidance.

Oracy at Boasley Cross

Oracy — speaking and listening — is a key strength of our school and is embedded across all subjects.

At Boasley Cross, this includes:

• talking partners and structured talk routines
• sentence stems to help children explain their thinking
• regular opportunities to present, retell, role‑play and debate
• teachers modelling clear, expressive language
• rich vocabulary teaching in every lesson

We create a culture where every child’s voice is heard and valued. Through gentle guidance and daily practice, children become confident, articulate communicators.

Learning to use maths in the real world