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Welcome to Reception

Pennine Way Primary School we have classrooms that have been specifically designed and resourced for reception age children. This is supplemented with a large outdoor space, and dedicated library which are both exclusive to our reception classes. These spaces provide a safe, exciting, and stimulating environment that the children can explore, play and learn in.

Our staff in reception are enthusiastic, well trained, and firmly believe in the importance of early education. Each class has, at a minimum, 1 fully qualified teacher and 1 dedicated teaching assistant. In addition to this a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant is on hand to support the classes as required.

Each child is assigned a Key Worker, who will support the children’s development and help them take the next step forward, with the class teacher taking overall responsibility.

Our reception curriculum is based on:

· United Learning

· I’m a Clever Writer

· Little Wandle Phonics

· Mastering Number

· 1 Decision

· P.E. Planning

The skills the children learn are categorised into 7 Areas of Development:

· Communication and Language (Listening, Attention and Understanding; and Speaking).

· Personal, Social and Emotional (Self Regulation, Managing Self, and Building Relationships).

· Physical Development (Fine and Gross Motor).

· Literacy (Comprehension, Word Reading and Writing).

· Mathematics (Number and Numerical Patterns)

· Understanding the World (Past and Present; People, Culture and Communities; The Natural World).

· Expressive Arts and Design (Creating with Materials; and Being Imaginative and Expressive)

Our curriculum is ambitious but flexible. Each half term we cover specific themes, but we also follow children’s interests as this enhances and drives learning; it can also lead us on amazing journeys and exciting adventures.

Our themes in reception are usually based around 2 week blocks, with associated texts, and include:

• Autumn 1 – Who are You, The Leaf Thief, Pumpkin Soup, Clean Up, Chapatti Moon

• Autumn 2 – My Heroes, Diwali, The Christmas Postman

• Spring 1 – Oi Frog, Castles

• Spring 2 – The Extraordinary Gardener, Jack and The Bean Stalk, Minibeasts

• Summer 1 – Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Train Ride, Izzy Gizmo,

• Summer 2 – The Night Pirates, The See Saw, The Growing Story

Within reception lots of the children’s learning takes place through planned continuous provision activities and guided independent play, with the children learning from the experiences they have. Our staff engage the children with high quality interactions that draw out learning and move children on to the next step of their development.

However, each day we also have more formal teaching sessions in Phonics, Maths, and Literacy. Other more formal teaching sessions take place at least once a week and include:

• Understanding the World lessons based on our current theme,

• P.E.,

• Expressive Art and Design Skills,

• 1 Decision and circle times focusing on Personal, Social and Emotional Development,

Within class we have lots of story times, as exposure to stories stretches children’s vocabularies, expands their horizons, increases their imagination, and extends their ability to learn. We also spend lots of time singing nursery rhymes. Children take home reading books weekly which match their phonics skills (they are encouraged to read these at home 3 times a week) and a reading for pleasure book.

We believe that what children experience in reception creates strong long-lasting impressions, which the children take with them into the rest of their school lives. It is our aim to make these experiences the best they can possibly be!

If you would like to find out more about reception within Pennine Way Primary School, then please contact the school office. We would be delighted to show you around the school.

Reception Queries