Our School

Pedagogy

At the heart of our curriculum are the four purposes and the aim to support pupils to become: • ambitious, capable learners, willing to learn throughout their lives • bold, creative contributors, ready to play a full part in life and work • principled, informed citizens of Wales and the world • healthy, confident individuals, willing to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society We also believe that our curriculum should be appropriate to children's learning stage rather than focusing solely on the age-related outcomes to be achieved. So, at the London School of Welsh, we teach in mixed age classes and we differentiate work by the level of the individual child. This is consistent with the pedagogy and recommendations of Professor Graham Donaldson, father of the Curriculum for Wales, 2022.

Nursery and Reception

Within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, there are four overarching principles: • A Unique Child - Every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. • Positive Relationships - Children learn to be strong and independent from a base of caring and secure relationships with a parent / parent(s) and staff. • Enabling Environment - The environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning. • Learning and Development - Children learn and develop in different ways and at different rates and all areas of learning and developments are equally important and interconnected. At London Welsh School, the EYFS framework provides a window into our nursery and reception programme of learning: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65aa5e4 2ed27ca001327b2c7/EYFS_statutory_framework_for_gro up_and_school_based_providers.pdf Our teachers are in their element playing, exploring, teaching and having fun! General Information • Physical Education: We have two physical education sessions each week (Monday and Wednesday). Your child will need to be suitably dressed in a T-shirt, dark shorts or joggers and trainers. • Milk and Fruit: We provide a glass of milk daily and also ask that you provide your child with a piece of fruit and a healthy snack for two break times along with their packed lunch. Our school follows a healthy eating policy. To catch up with what’s going on in Progression Step 1, you can follow us on Twitter / X at: https://x.com/ygllundain?s=21 Primary School The Primary School offers a broad range of academic and co-curricular activities framed in the context of the Areas of Learning within the Curriculum for Wales. Our pupils are taught in a caring community, where individuality is valued and intellectual curiosity is nurtured and encouraged. Our holistic approach is designed to encourage our children to have zest for life and to cherish life-long learning. Our enthusiastic staff in the Primary work very hard to support each child’s needs and help them to reach their full potential. We are incredibly proud of our high standards and expectations. The staff work diligently to prepare enriching lessons and experiences for the pupils and to ensure that pupils are engaged and challenged in order to make the required progress to reach their attainment targets.

Areas of Learning and

Experience

There are 6 Areas of Learning and Experience: • Languages, Literacy and Communication • Mathematics and Numeracy • Science and Technology • The Expressive Arts • Health and Wellbeing • Humanities Where are the traditional subjects? We hold Language lessons [Welsh and English], Mathematics, PSHE, PE, Drama and RE. We focus on the other Areas of Learning through whole school, cross- curricular themes. All lessons are through the medium of Welsh, except for English, Maths and PSHE. In Progression Step 2, Welsh is the main focus of Language lessons, then English. In Progression Step 3, 50% of Language lessons are in Welsh and 50% are in English. French is also taught. Cross-curricular skills The 3 skills, namely Numeracy, Literacy and Digital Competency weave through everything. Singing and instrumental lessons - Singing and instrumental lessons are offered for a reasonable price. Special Educational Needs At London Welsh School, we pride ourselves in our proactive approach to recognising pupils’ additional needs at an early stage. Our team of caring staff work alongside our experienced SEN specialist to ensure purposeful provision for all types of additional needs. We use a range of interventions and we work closely with parents and external agencies in a positive way for the benefit of the pupils. We can also assist with the process of assessing and applying for Educational Health Care Plans. Information for Parents: A quick guide for parents and carers to the Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) process Further Information: 1. Ealing’s strategy for additional and special educational needs, disabilities and inclusion 2023- 2027 | Ealing Grid for Learning 2. Ealing Service for Children with Additional Needs (ESCAN) Medical Needs Governing bodies of mainstream schools have the following legal duties under the Children and Families Act 2014. They must: • cooperate with the local authority in developing the local offer; • ensure the school produce and publish online its School SEN Information Report in accordance with section 69 of the Children and Families Act 2014; • ensure the school has arrangements in place to support children with medical conditions (section 100 Children and Families Act 2014) https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/upload s/attachment_data/file/344424/Special_educational_nee ds_and_disabilites_guide_for_parents_and_carers.pdf

Enrichment Activities

As excellent as teaching and learning is in lessons, we offer plenty of enrichment activities to further inspire the pupils. By applying their formal learning to real life experiences, the learning comes to life. As stated in an old Chinese proverb, 'Tell me and I will forget, teach me and I may remember, include me and I will learn and understand.'’ The enrichment activities our pupils have enjoyed in 2023-24 are: • Science and Technology workshop with M-Sparc • Creative enterprise with The Bumbles of Honeywood • Urdd cookery competition CogUrdd, judged by a Fullers executive chef • A visit to the Imperial War Museum • Cinema trip (Wonka) to enrich the book Charlie a'r Ffatri Siocled (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) • Christmas Show [Santa’s on Strike] • Ceramics workshop with Catrin Howell • St. David’s Day Service in Westminster Chapel, London • Sports challenge with the Welsh Athletics Team • Eisteddfod Outside of Wales • Promoting the Welsh language through enterprise and business with Eifion Rogers and Nic Clement • Art workshop • Fashion and photography workshop with Charlotte James • Question and answer session with James Murray, Member of Parliament • Trip to the London Transport Museum, London • Citizenship visit to The House of Commons • A concert with the London Welsh Choir • Residential trip to the Urdd Centre, Llangrannog

Address London Welsh School Hanwell Community Centre Westcott Crescent Hanwell London W7 1PD

Contact Telephone Number: 020 8575 0237 E-mail: info@ysgolgymraegllundain.co.uk In an emergency, when the school is closed, please use: Email: info@ysgolgymraegllundain.co.uk

Information Headteacher: Ms Julie K Watkins B.A.Hons, P.G.C.E., M. Ed Cantab Part of the Welsh Schools Trust Limited Charity Number: 1167479