🌟 Welcome to Reception!

Reception is a magical year where children begin their exciting school journey. Through play, exploration and hands-on experiences, children build confidence, develop friendships and discover a love of learning. Our curriculum is designed to nurture curiosity, creativity and independence while helping every child thrive and reach their full potential.

📚 English in Reception

Story Adventures
This year our learning will be inspired by a range of wonderful stories, rhymes and traditional tales that encourage imagination and a love of reading.
Some of our favourite books include:

• The Colour Monster
• Emergency!
• The Christmas Story
• Binny's Diwali
• Meerkat Mail
• We're Going on a Bear Hunt
• Monkey Puzzle
• Supertato
• Sharing a Shell
• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
• Goldilocks and Just One Bear

Children will develop early reading and writing skills through phonics, storytelling, mark making, letter formation, writing words, phrases and simple sentences.

✝️ Bible Story Focus

Our class Bible story is Abraham and the Starry Sky, which reminds us that:

God loves us and always keeps His promises.

This story encourages faith, trust and hope — values that we explore through worship, stories and everyday experiences.

Understanding the World

Reception learners will explore and discover the world around them through exciting topics and practical experiences.

We will learn about:

• Families and Communities
• People Who Help Us
• Celebrations Around the World
• Different Countries and Cultures
• Life Cycles and Animal Habitats
• Weather and Seasons
• Caring for Our Environment
• Past and Present

Children will be encouraged to ask questions, investigate and make connections with the world around them.

Our Learning Themes

Throughout the year, children will explore exciting themes including:

• Fabulous Friends and People Who Help Us
• Let's Celebrate!
• Bruno Bear Travel With Me
• Superheroes in the Super Supermarket
• Under the Sea
• Twisted Tales

Trips and Experiences

Learning in Reception extends beyond the classroom through exciting visits and memorable experiences.

Some highlights include:

• 🚒 Emergency Services Visit
• 🌳 Northwood Park Picnic
• 📮 Visit to Post Letters to Santa
• 🎅 Churnet Valley Santa Trip
• 🏘️ Local Area Walk
• 🛒 Hanley Market Visit
• 📚 Library Visit
• 🐠 Blue Planet Aquarium Visit

These experiences help children make meaningful connections and bring learning to life.

🎭 Pupil Roles & Responsibilities We encourage Reception children to develop independence and responsibility as they become active members of our school family.

🌟 Classroom Helpers

📚 Book Helpers

🧥 Cloakroom Helpers

🙏 Worship Helpers

🎨 Creative Area Helpers

🔢 Maths in Reception

Children will develop early mathematical understanding through practical activities, games and exploration.

We will focus on:

• Subitising
• Counting and Number Recognition
• Cardinality and Ordinality
• Composition of Numbers
• Patterns, Shape and Measure

🏃‍♀️ Physical Development

• Children will take part in a range of activities to develop their gross and fine motor skills, including outdoor learning, climbing, balancing, mark making and practical challenges.

🎨 Expressive Arts and Design

Children will explore creativity through art, music, role play, construction, dance and imaginative storytelling.

We are excited for all that this year will bring and look forward to sharing your child's learning journey.

Reception is a year of wonder, discovery and growth — and we're so glad to be on this journey together.

Warm wishes, The Reception Team