News Blog

Over 40 TKAT Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) practitioners and Reading Leads came together to attend a special conference earlier this month, to launch the vision for EYFS for the Trust over the next 3 years.

Speakers at the event included Gianni Bianchi and Susan Brown (Directors of Education - Primary) who spoke about TKAT’s inclusion strategy and vision. Kate Couldwell (Headteacher, Front Lawn Primary School) presented on ‘Talk Through Stories’ and finally Clio Brown, TKAT’s EYFS Lead Practitioner explored the strengthened moderation and assessment systems for EYFS.

The Early Years summer term data from all schools was analysed, as well as national data, and focus was placed on the areas for development. This data has been the driving force for everything TKAT has planned for Early Years support and professional development this year.

Evidence was shared from Public Health England around the impact of speech, language and communication needs. Practitioners discussed the need for language rich environments where opportunities for language and communication were well planned and did not just happen by accident.  Kate Couldwell and her team have modified ‘Talk Through Stories’ by Ruth Miskin to provide daily resources to support up to 20 minutes of dedicated reading time each day, focussing on the joy of reading as well as teaching new and exciting words in context and on character’s emotions and story predictions.

The day concluded with a networking opportunity for the #oneTKATfamily delegates to share their contact information in regions so that they could meet again in groups this term and share ideas and support going forward.

Susan Brown, who helped to organise the event, said:

“There was a real buzz in the room at this conference, we are delighted with the feedback we got on the day and afterwards by emails. We await the impact of our work on the Reading and GLD outcomes next year.”  

A special ‘thank you’ to Browns Book (https://www.brownsbfs.co.uk/) who have very generously arranged a discount on 36 book titles for our EYFS schools this year. Thank you, we really appreciate your support.