Dear parents/carers,

I am delighted and feel privileged to be part of your child’s learning journey this year. Our early years is a fantastic place and I am enthusiastic about ensuring that every child who joins us has the best possible start to school life.

We have a fantastic outdoor area, and I know you will enjoy exploring the changing seasons with me and supporting our local wildlife. We have a challenge every year to share fifty books! All the adults enjoy reading so much that we have created an indoor and outdoor reading area.

We hope you find the following information useful. We offer an open-door policy, so please get in touch with us if you have any queries or questions.

Kind Regards,

Mrs Morris

A typical day in Reception

• We welcome children into school at 8:30 am.
• Children place all their belongings in their personal lockers.
• Water bottles are kept in the classroom so that they are accessible during the day.
• We start learning with an interactive phonics session.
• Followed by maths and literacy, children will be given the chance to explore and practice the skills for that week in both the indoor and outdoor environment.
• After lunch is our topic work; we have a new focus each half-term.

Our learning environment is vibrant; we are very lucky to have an amazing outdoor area with a mud kitchen, role play, sand and water play, enabling the children to use their imagination and build upon their natural curiosity, which we feel is integral to development at this age.

Wildlife Wednesday

Our wildlife area features an outdoor classroom, pond, mud kitchen and even a real campfire for children to explore. Each week, carefully planned forest fun activities introduce children to a new skill, often linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. We want our young learners to grow up understanding how to care for their immediate environment in practical, meaningful ways.

Because children often get muddy during forest school sessions, we recommend bringing wellies and a waterproof coat. Children love immersing themselves in the natural world, and we encourage this. There are no restrictions on muddy play. In fact, the muddier, the better!

Keeping you informed

In Reception, we use the Seesaw app to share what the children have been learning and exploring in class. Homework will also be set through the app. Seesaw is interactive, so parents and carers can share children’s achievements from home too. During the first half‑term, each child will bring home a code that gives you access to their personal Seesaw account.

In school, every child has their own learning journey. We use Seesaw to help us understand their progress and plan their next steps.

Parents' evening

Parents’ evening takes place three times a year. This is a chance for us to share your child’s achievements and talk together about their next steps. We also hold stay‑and‑play sessions every half‑term, along with lots of other opportunities for parents and carers to get involved.

Positive behaviour

In Reception, we focus on high expectations that reflect our STARS Christian values: Sharing, Trust, Achievement, Respect and Safety. We teach children the importance of teamwork, respecting one another’s opinions and celebrating differences.

In the classroom, we use a zone board to recognise positive behaviour. Children can move their star to silver or gold when they show our STARS values. Each week, one child is chosen as Star of the Week and receives a certificate during our collective worship celebration. Parents and carers are invited to join us for this special moment.

We also have a weekly ‘Sunshine’ award. If a child’s name reaches the very top of the zone board, they get to take our class bear, Popcorn, home for the weekend.

These systems really help children to thrive, and they love celebrating one another’s achievements.

School lunches

All children in Reception currently receive Universal Free School Meals.

If you receive certain benefits, your child may also qualify for Free School Meals funding, which is paid directly to the school to support their learning.

To see menus, book meals or find out more about Free School Meals, please visit our School Meals page.

Snack and milk

Children are provided with free fruit or vegetables every day. They also receive free milk until their fifth birthday. After they turn five, milk can be purchased if you would like it to continue. See the school milk information below.

After-school clubs

We run after‑school clubs most afternoons, which you can sign your child up for at the start of each half‑term. We offer a wide range of activities, including arts and crafts, dodgeball, horticulture and many more.

For more information, please visit our Clubs and trips page.