Investigative Learners

Investigative phase learners investigate the world around them in a more formal learning environment. Learners in this phase begin to make links and develop their communication to explore and explain ideas and concepts. The aims of each area of learning is to provide the learners with the skills, concepts and knowledge to meaningfully engage in the world around them.

Developing understanding and expression of feelings and emotions is central to learning. Learners are encouraged to engage and form secure relationships with adults and peers, develop resilience and feel more comfortable in sharing their feelings. Talents are encouraged through activities such as signing choir, sports and assemblies, helping to develop self-esteem and pride, in addition to celebrating others’ achievements.

Engaging in a range of experiences, topic focus and development in the Investigative phase includes those within learners’ personal interests and new ideas and themes. Teaching and learning is shared and developed through a range of interactive areas of learning such as My Play and Leisure, My Independence, My World and My Physical Well-being which encourage discovery and wonder.

The classes offer a needs-based curriculum, where appropriate, using a child-led approach using the principles of EYFS as well as more formal approaches. Each utilising and developing learners’ skills to encourage investigation, expression and independent learning. Each learners' capabilities are considered and individual needs are fully met, educationally, socially, emotionally and physically.

Classes in this phase are Dinosaurs, Penguins, Giraffes, Tigers, Chameleons, Canaries and Kestrels.

Investigative Phase Parental Email: investigative@springside.rochdale.sch.uk

Springside at Moorhouse Parental Email: thehub@springside.rochdale.sch.uk (Canaries and Kestrels)

Class	Teachers	email	Class information
Dinosaurs	Sarah Trueman	dinosaurs@springside.rochdale.sch.uk	Skills, concepts and knowledge delivered in a child-led more formal learning environment and manner. The learners are at the earliest stages of the Investigative curriculum and have an emerging understanding of concepts.
Penguins	Gemma Baker	penguins@springside.rochdale.sch.uk	Skills, concepts and knowledge delivered in a child-led more formal learning environment and manner. These learners are some of our youngest members of the Investigative pathway but have a developing understanding of concepts.
Giraffes	Laurie Gumbrell	giraffes@springside.rochdale.sch.uk	Skills, concepts and knowledge delivered in a child-led more formal learning environment and manner. Our learners in Giraffes have an emerging understanding of concepts and they are learning to understand their emotions and how they can regulate these.
Tigers	Jessica Finch	tigers@springside.rochdale.sch.uk	Skills, concepts and knowledge delivered in a child-led more formal learning environment and manner. The learners in Tigers have a developing understanding of concepts and their learning has a real focus on their emotional literacy, including communicating this appropriately.
Chameleons	Claire Lowe	chameleons@springside.rochdale.sch.uk	Skills, concepts and knowledge delivered in a child-led way that is wholly practical based. The learners in Chameleons are now learning to apply these with increasing independence in the community.
Canaries (The Hub @ Moorhouse)	Rebecca Crossley and Lisa Whitley	canaries@springside.rochdale.sch.uk	Skills, concepts and knowledge delivered in a child-led more formal learning environment and manner. Includes elements of the National Curriculum as appropriate. Many of the learners also access mainstream inclusion sessions, as appropriate, at Moorhouse Academy.
Kestrels (The Hub @ Moorhouse)	Laura Finch	kestrels@springside.rochdale.sch.uk	Skills, concepts and knowledge delivered in a child-led more formal learning environment and manner. Includes elements of the National Curriculum as appropriate. Many of the learners also access mainstream inclusion sessions, as appropriate, at Moorhouse Academy.

Please find Investigative information and resources below...