Continuous Provision
St. Paul's Church of England School has long been a pioneer in the use of continuous provision. From the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) all the way through to Year 4, the school has embraced this approach to teaching and learning, with phenomenal results. By providing a rich, varied, and stimulating environment for children to explore and discover, St. Paul's has created an atmosphere of curiosity, creativity, and independence that has a lasting impact on each child's educational journey.
Continuous provision is an educational approach that aims to provide children with a constantly available, well-organised, stimulating environment that encourages them to explore, investigate, and make choices about their learning. It involves setting up different areas within the classroom, each focused on a particular aspect of the curriculum or development area. These areas are then carefully planned and resourced to support children's learning and development, allowing them to engage in self-directed exploration whilst also providing opportunities for adult-led activities and interventions.
At St. Paul's, the use of continuous provision is central to the school's ethos and philosophy of education. The school believes that every child is unique and has their own way of learning and interacting with the world around them. By providing a rich and varied environment that allows children to follow their interests, make choices, and take risks in their learning, St. Paul's aims to each child's natural curiosity and creativity, helping them to develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
One of the key benefits of continuous provision is that it enables children to learn through hands-on, experiential activities that are meaningful and relevant to them. By providing a range of resources and materials that children can explore and manipulate, the school encourages children to become active learners who take ownership of their learning and development. This not only helps to build their independence and self-esteem but also fosters a sense of agency and autonomy that is invaluable in later life.
St. Paul's School has a leader in the field of continuous provision for many years, and during the COVID lockdowns, the school went above and beyond to share their expertise with a wider audience. Through a series of webinars and online training sessions, the school reached out to over 5000 people, including teachers, educators, parents, and policymakers, to share their knowledge and experience of continuous provision and its benefits for children's learning and development. This proactive approach to professional development and knowledge-sharing has helped to raise awareness of the importance of continuous provision in early years education and has inspired others to adopt similar approaches in their own settings.
The school's commitment to continuous provision aligns closely with its overarching vision of enabling all children to 'step out of the boat' like Peter and 'Live life in all its fullness'. By providing a rich and stimulating learning environment that encourages children to take risks, make choices, and explore their interests, St. Paul's aims to empower children to become confident, creative, and independent learners who are ready to embrace life's challenges and opportunities. This holistic approach to education ensures that children not only excel academically but also develop the social, emotional and spiritual skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.