Thank you for taking the time to read the information about Reception (Tiger cubs). I hope you find all the answers you are looking for on this page but please don’t hesitate to call the school office if you wish to find out more or would like information about open days and school prospectuses.

Transition

Many of you will be already familiar with our school having had older children here but for some this will be your first experience of our school and what we do.

During the early summer prior to your child starting in Reception we invite parents / carers and children into the classroom for two transition sessions. There will also be opportunities to meet with Mr Wheater and discuss your child. We love to know what they are interested in to inform our planning.  We will provide you with further details of our programme of transition activities so that your child is well prepared for starting school here in September.  This will also be the ideal opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere as well as let us know about any issues or concerns that you think we should be aware of.

Curriculum

All Reception children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and each of the 17 stands is equally important and depend on each other to support a rounded approach to child development. All the areas must be delivered through planned, purposeful play, with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities.

The children are taught in small groups which ensures their needs are fully met. We plan and differentiate lessons to accommodate the stage that each child is at.  At any one time there are two adult led groups working and the other children will be doing independent tasks or continuous learning, over seen by a third adult.

Phonics Reception

In Reception children bring home the phonic sheets for the sounds they have learnt that week. Please let your child practise these with you, letting them teach you the actions, repeating the sound and spotting the sound in words.  They also need to practise their letter formation using these sheets and have a go at reading the words.  Doing a few minutes of phonic practise at home regularly will pay dividends and ensure your child consolidates their learning and makes good progress.

Initially children are invited to take picture books home that can be shared and talked about with an adult.  Ask your child questions such as ‘What’s happening?’  ‘How do you think he/she feels?’  ‘What do you think will happen next?’ etc.  As children progress with their reading they will start to bring home the graded reading books (colour banded) that can be found in Tiger Class.  We will let you know when this will begin and as children all develop their reading skills at different rates, it may be that your child starts using these at a different time to others.