Reception Curriculum

In Reception, children commence full-time education and are expected to wear school uniform. School opens at 8.00 am and registration is at 8.45 am. The teaching day ends at 3.15 pm but pupils are supervised until 5pm if required. No additional charge is made for this service. The class size is set at a maximum of 20 children, taught by a fully qualified teacher and assistant.

Our partnership with parents is extremely important. At the end of the day, children are collected individually from the classroom. Details of the day's activities are posted on the classroom door at the end of each day. Early in the Autumn Term, parents are invited to a Welcome Evening where the teacher will explain the routines of the class and the school and how their child's education will develop throughout the year. The Spring Term offers a Parent Consultation Evening with the teacher to discuss your child's progress on an individual basis. Parents receive written reports at the end of the Autumn and Summer terms. Teachers are, of course, happy to see parents at any time by appointment to discuss any aspect of their child's progress.

Reception offers a structured learning environment, building on concepts developed in the Nursery. We use the Early Years Foundation Stage Guidance for planning an individualised learning journey for each child. French, Music and PE are taught by our specialist teachers in the Junior School and the IT suite is used for small group teaching. There is also the opportunity to join our after school Spanish Club. As in Nursery, the curriculum is based around the six areas of learning and development.

Communication, Language and Literacy
We use the Oxford Reading Tree scheme, and the Jolly Phonics scheme to teach letter sounds through story, action and rhyme. Each child reads aloud daily to his/her teacher. Children take their reading books home daily. There are many opportunities for children to extend their vocabulary and fluency by speaking and listening, and by hearing and responding to stories, songs and rhymes.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
We use Abacus Maths, which incorporates both practical and written activities. In addition, there are frequent opportunities throughout the day to enhance and build on numeracy skills.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World
A range of safe and well maintained equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding, using simple tools and techniques as appropriate to achieve their aims and to solve problems. Topics include food, dinosaurs and life-cycles. We take the children out on educational visits based on these topics to support and enhance the children's learning.

Creative Development
Children use a wide range of resources to develop their skills in painting, drawing and collage. They enjoy music and stories, and there are many opportunities for imaginative role play, both individually and as part of a group.

Physical Development
We are very fortunate in having access to all the facilities of the Junior School, which gives us an exciting range of equipment and opportunities, both indoors and out. We also join with KS 1 on Sports' Day, held in the grounds of the Senior School, which the children enjoy enormously.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Within our nurturing environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence, autonomy and self-respect. They begin to work independently and also to take part in the life of the group, sharing and co-operating with other children and adults. The ethos of our multi-faith school is to promote tolerance and understanding of the beliefs of others. Teaching is Christian based and our Foundation Stage classes participate in Assemblies and Christmas productions.

We have a particular focus of this area each week, whereby the children are able to work towards taking the class bear home for a weekend visit.

Our recent Ofsted inspection stated that:
"The partnership with parents and carers is very good. They receive good quality information about the school and regular newsletters . Parents are able to contribute to the assessment of their child and find out about their progress informally and by written reports."

An example of a day in Reception
A typical day begins with a greeting by the class teacher and an introduction to the first activity:

• School opens at 8.00am
• Registration is at 8.50 followed by Assembly or morning prayer
• Class discussion time
• French with specialist teacher
• Creative writing
• Phonics or reading activity
• Playtime with fruit snack
• PE in the Gym with specialist PE teacher
• Maths practical or written work

12 noon - Lunch, followed by playtime

• Story time
• Music with our specialist teacher
• Creative activities
• ICT work, either in the classroom or in the specialist ICT suite
• Playtime
• Story or educational programme
• Afternoon prayer
• 3.15 - school day ends, but supervision continues until
• 5.00pm when the school closes

To see Early Years gallery - Click here
To see photo and item on Reception Christmas Play - Click here