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Reception

Meet the Team

Class Teacher: Miss Griffith 

LSA: Mrs Olding (Mon-Weds) and Miss Cox

Term Five

Our value this term is Courage.

Our enquiry is: What do other countries look like?

This term the children are going to be diving deeper into the question ‘What do other countries look like?’ To explore this we use mini enquiries.

Our mini enquiries are:

  • What is our environment like?

  • What differences and similarities do we see between where we live and the polar region?

  • What differences and similarities do we see between where we live and the ocean?

  • What differences and similarities do we see between where we live and the rainforest?

  • What differences and similarities do we see between where we live and the desert?

  • What have we learnt from our exploration of the world?

To deepen our learning, we will read key texts related to the enquiries and have lot of class discussion whereby all children will get the chance to share their thoughts.

This term we will transform our role play area into an airport to encourage the children to use subject specific vocabulary in their play.

Phonics

At our school, we follow the Read Write Inc. programme to support early reading and writing. All children have learned Set 1 sounds and are now beginning to be introduced to Set 2 and Set 3 sounds.

Children are developing their ability to read three- and four-sound (phoneme) words, alongside learning a number of common exception (“red”) words. They are also given regular opportunities to apply their phonics knowledge through writing words and simple sentences that are closely linked to their phonics reading books.

Children will bring home a new phonics book every three days. We kindly ask that you support your child by reading these books regularly at home to reinforce their learning.

Maths

Across the term, children will continue to develop their confidence and skills as young mathematicians. They will build on key foundations including counting, subitising, number recognition, and the composition of numbers.

In addition, children will explore patterns, shape, space, and measure through a range of practical and engaging activities. Daily short, focused lessons will be supported by plenty of opportunities for children to apply and deepen their understanding through hands-on exploration within the learning environment.

R.E

In R.E., children will explore the question “Why is Jesus important?” They will engage with a range of Bible stories and take part in thoughtful discussions about why many people see Jesus as a significant and important figure.

Children will also have opportunities to create class prayers and reflect on our termly value, encouraging both personal reflection and a deeper understanding of others’ beliefs.

PSHE

This term, our unit is “Relationships.” Children will explore what it means to be a good friend, including the importance of kindness, using positive words, and showing respect to others.

They will also develop simple problem-solving skills, helping them to manage challenges in friendships and everyday situations in a thoughtful and supportive way.

PE

Our P.E. day is Wednesday. During these sessions, children will develop their gross motor skills through a range of active and engaging activities.

This term, the focus will be on ball skills using the feet, helping children to build coordination, control, and confidence in movement.

How we learn in Reception

“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” – Friedrich Froebel

In Reception, play is at the heart of learning. Children are given extended opportunities for purposeful play across all areas of the Early Years Curriculum—whether in role play, construction, creative activities, or outdoor learning.

Our classroom environment is carefully planned to encourage exploration, independence, and collaboration. It is regularly updated in response to children’s needs and interests, ensuring every child can flourish.

Term Four

Our value this term is Forgiveness.

Our enquiry is: What makes living things change and grow?

This term the children are going to be diving deeper into the question ‘What makes living things change and grow?’ To explore this we use mini enquiries.

Our mini enquiries are:

  • How have we grown and changed?

  • What do animals need to grow and change?

  • What do plants need to grow and change?

  • How do living things grow and change?

  • What do plants and animals do to help us grow and change?

To deepen our learning, we will read key texts related to the enquiries and have lot of class discussion whereby all children will get the chance to share their thoughts.

This term we will have some very special visitors – ducklings! We will watch how they change from an egg to a duckling and care for them for two weeks.

Phonics

We follow the Read Write Inc. phonics programme. This term, children will begin learning Set 1 sounds. Once they are confident with a few sounds, they will start orally blending (e.g. m-a-t becomes mat). This will quickly lead to reading simple CVC words. We encourage children to apply their phonics skills across all areas of learning. During the spring term, children will be exposed to special friends (digraphs) in line with their progress. 

Families can support at home by engaging with the Virtual Classroom films wherever possible.

Maths

Across the term, the children will develop themselves as mathematicians. We will work on counting skills, subitising, number recognition, composition of numbers, patterns, shape, space and measure. The children will have daily short burst lessons and be given lots of opportunities to explore mathematic concepts through the provision.

R.E

In R.E we will explore ‘Salvation’ and the Easter Story. We will create class prayers and reflect on our terms value.

PSHE

This term’s unit is ‘Healthy Me’. This will include discussing healthy habits and keeping ourselves safe.

PE

Our PE day is on Wednesday. Within our PE sessions we will develop our gross motor skills. In term four this will focus on ball skills and rackets, bats, balls and balloons.

How we learn in Reception

“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” – Friedrich Froebel

In Reception, play is at the heart of learning. Children are given extended opportunities for purposeful play across all areas of the Early Years Curriculum—whether in role play, construction, creative activities, or outdoor learning.

Our classroom environment is carefully planned to encourage exploration, independence, and collaboration. It is regularly updated in response to children’s needs and interests, ensuring every child can flourish.

 

Term Three

Our value this term is Trust.

Our enquiry is: What makes living things change and grow?

This term the children are going to be diving deeper into the question ‘What makes living things change and grow?’ To help us investigate this, we will work through a series of mini enquiries:

  • How have we grown and changed?

  • What do animals need to grow and change?

  • What do plants need to grow and change?

  • How do living things grow and change?

  • What do plants and animals do to help us grow and change?

To deepen our learning, we will read key texts related to the enquiries and have lots of vibrant class discussion whereby all children will get the chance to share their thoughts and discoveries.

Phonics

We follow the Read Write Inc. phonics programme. This term, children will begin learning Set 1 sounds. Once they are confident with a few sounds, they will start orally blending (e.g. m-a-t becomes mat). This will quickly lead to reading simple CVC words. We encourage children to apply their phonics skills across all areas of learning. During the spring term, children will be exposed to special friends (digraphs) in line with their progress. 

Families can support at home by engaging with the Virtual Classroom films wherever possible.

Maths

Across the term, the children will develop themselves as mathematicians. We will work on counting skills, subitising, number recognition, composition of numbers, patterns, shape, space and measure. The children will have daily short burst lessons and be given lots of opportunities to explore mathematic concepts through the provision.

R.E

In R.E we will explore two important units: ‘Why are some things special?’ and ‘Salvation’. We will create class prayers together and reflect on our terms value of Trust.

PSHE

This term’s unit is ‘Dreams and Goals’. This essential learning will include discussing the importance of perseverance (never giving up) and encouragement (supporting ourselves and others).

PE

Our PE day is on Wednesday. Within our PE sessions, we will actively develop our gross motor skills. In Term Three this will specifically focus on improving our balance and foundational ball skills (throwing, catching, and rolling).

How we learn in Reception

“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” – Friedrich Froebel

In Reception, play is at the heart of learning. Children are given extended opportunities for purposeful play across all areas of the Early Years Curriculum—whether in role play, construction, creative activities, or outdoor learning.

Our classroom environment is carefully planned to encourage exploration, independence, and collaboration. It is regularly updated in response to children’s needs and interests, ensuring every child can flourish.

Term Two

Our value this term is Respect.

Our enquiry is: What makes me unique and belong?

This term, the children will be exploring the big question: “What makes me unique and belong?” To help us investigate this, we will work through a series of mini enquiries:

  • Who am I?
    What makes me unique?

  • What makes us different?

  • Where do I belong?

  • What is a family?

  • Who is in our community?

  • What is special about our school?

Through stories, class discussions, and shared experiences, children will have the opportunity to reflect on their own uniqueness and develop an understanding of belonging.

Phonics

We follow the Read Write Inc. phonics programme. This term, children will begin learning Set 1 sounds. Once they are confident with a few sounds, they will start orally blending (e.g. m-a-t becomes mat). This will quickly lead to reading simple CVC words. We encourage children to apply their phonics skills across all areas of learning.

Families can support at home by engaging with the Virtual Classroom films wherever possible.

Maths

Across the term, the children will develop themselves as mathematicians. We will work on counting skills, subitising, number recognition, composition of numbers, patterns, shape, space and measure. The children will have daily short burst lessons and be given lots of opportunities to explore mathematic concepts through the provision.

R.E

In R.E we discuss what it means to belong, through discussions about groups, clubs, families and religions and how these are important in our everyday lives.

This term we will also learn about the nativity story and why God is important to Christians.

PSHE

This term’s unit is Celebrating Differences.
We will discuss and reflect on similarities and differences, respect, anti-bullying, and what makes us unique.

PE

Our P.E. day is Wednesday.
This term, we will focus on developing gross motor skills—particularly spatial awareness and jumping.

How we learn in Reception

“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” – Friedrich Froebel

In Reception, play is at the heart of learning. Children are given extended opportunities for purposeful play across all areas of the Early Years Curriculum—whether in role play, construction, creative activities, or outdoor learning.

Our classroom environment is carefully planned to encourage exploration, independence, and collaboration. It is regularly updated in response to children’s needs and interests, ensuring every child can flourish.

 

Term One 

Our Value: Thankfulness
Our Enquiry Question: What makes me unique and belong?

This term, the children will be exploring the big question: “What makes me unique and belong?” To help us investigate this, we will work through a series of mini enquiries:

  • Who am I?
    What makes me unique?

  • What makes us different?

  • Where do I belong?

  • What is a family?

  • Who is in our community?

  • What is special about our school?

Through stories, class discussions, and shared experiences, children will have the opportunity to reflect on their own uniqueness and develop an understanding of belonging.

 

Phonics

We follow the Read Write Inc. phonics programme. This term, children will begin learning Set 1 sounds. Once they are confident with a few sounds, they will start orally blending (e.g. m-a-t becomes mat). This will quickly lead to reading simple CVC words. We encourage children to apply their phonics skills across all areas of learning.

Families can support at home by engaging with the Virtual Classroom films wherever possible.

 

Maths

This term, children will grow as mathematicians. Our focus areas include:

  • Counting with accuracy

  • Subitising (recognising amounts without counting)

  • Number recognition

  • Understanding how numbers are made (composition)

  • Spotting and creating patterns

  • Exploring shape, space, and measure
     

Children will take part in daily short maths sessions and have plenty of opportunities to explore these concepts through play and hands-on activities.

 

R.E.

In R.E. we will explore the idea of belonging—discussing families, groups, clubs, and religions, and how they play an important role in our everyday lives.

 

PSHE

Our PSHE theme is Being Me in My World. We will:

  • Think about where we belong

  • Explore our feelings and how to manage them

  • Learn about kindness and respecting others

  • Discuss the Rights of the Child

 

P.E.

P.E. takes place every Wednesday. This term, children will focus on developing their gross motor skills, particularly balance and footwork.

 

How We Learn in Reception

“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” – Friedrich Froebel

In Reception, play is at the heart of learning. Children are given extended opportunities for purposeful play across all areas of the Early Years Curriculum—whether in role play, construction, creative activities, or outdoor learning.

Our classroom environment is carefully planned to encourage exploration, independence, and collaboration. It is regularly updated in response to children’s needs and interests, ensuring every child can flourish.