Reception

Class Introduction

We are excited to welcome you and your child to our Reception class.  

I am Miss Hicks, Reception teacher and EYFS Lead. I have Miss Gardner and Mrs Swain working alongside me as part of the Reception team.  

In Reception, we aim to provide your children with the best start to school they can have! We are incredibly excited to work with your child this year and consider it a privilege to be guiding some of the school’s youngest pupils as they begin their educational journey.   

As part of the Romero academy and here at Ss Peter and Paul School, we believe in giving our children the best possible start to their journey through Education. We try to live out our mission statement each and every day, “Learning and loving on our journey with Jesus.” 

Other Information

EYFS Curriculum Intent 

Learning at Ss Peter and Paul School starts with the child; Our personalised and tailored curriculum provides all children with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to be confident, inquisitive, curious, independent learners and influence their wider thinking across all areas of the curriculum.  

We teach the children social skills, language and communication and physical skills which will underpin all their learning. Our curriculum supports them to be lifelong learners with a positive attitude to learning, ensuring all children reach their God given potential. A Ss Peter and Paul EYFS child will have the opportunity to reflect, serve, aspire, experience, thrive and shine.  

We work in partnership with our families to support our children to grow as individuals and develop key skills such as independence, resilience and confidence.  

We celebrate the unique qualities and interests of every child and nurture them to reach full potential to take their place in the world, promoting excitement, awe and wonder. Topics are used to expose children to a range of experiences, enhancing their time in school. Staff plan learning activities that are matched to the children’s individual development and to help further and deepen children’s knowledge of the world around them. 

We use the inside and outside environment as a key feature of our curriculum. We offer stimulating resources and rich learning opportunities through play that support and challenge all children.  

We prepare children to reach the Early Learning Goals at the end of the Foundation Stage and ensure children make good progress from their starting points, supporting our children through their transition into KS1 and their journey at Ss Peter and Paul School.

Implementation  

The EYFS Curriculum covers 7 areas: 

We have a clear focus on developing language and communication skills. Staff recognise the importance of language development. Staff model high quality communication skills and expanding children’s vocabulary is key.  

Our curriculum fosters a love of books, something that some of our children may not have when they begin in EYFS, but we hope they have by the time they leave. Daily story time, books throughout the provision, a class library and reading workshops are a number of ways we aim to do this through our curriculum. Our learning always includes key texts including modern literature, non-fiction, traditional tales, poems and rhymes.  

We keep parents informed, meeting with parents and carers from before they begin their journey at Ss Peter and Paul School and throughout their child’s time in the EYFS. Staff are available in the morning and afternoon to talk to parents. We hold parent workshops, masses, assemblies, parent consultations, home visits and ad hoc meetings when necessary. Parents and carers are supported when meeting with external agencies if required and staff are always there to listen and support. 

Our environments are calm and interesting, sparking curiosity, interest and wonder, as well as celebrating the achievements of the children. Classrooms are welcoming and reflect the needs and interests of the children. We take great pride in our environment and encourage the children to do the same.  

Impact 

At Ss Peter and Paul School, the impact of the EYFS Curriculum is that all children make good progress from their individual starting points. We measure and monitor the impact of our curriculum in different ways throughout the year. Baseline assessments are carefully analysed at the start of the year to ensure teachers can plan for children’s next steps carefully. Staff use observations to make formative assessments which inform future planning and ensure that all children build on their current knowledge and skills at a good pace. Evidence in children’s subject, floor books and observations support all areas of the EYFS curriculum. Summative assessments are carried out each term.  

All children get the best possible start to their school life and develop the knowledge and skills to reach and exceed their potential.  They develop strong, positive attitudes where they become proud and respectful of themselves. Our children gain a thirst for learning and begin to become lifelong learners. They encounter a range of experiences that widen their own knowledge and skills. The children develop a range of positive relationships with adults and peers, remembering that we are ‘Learning and loving on our journey with Jesus’.  

Reception Transition 

A child starting school can be a daunting experience for parents and children so our school ensure that the transition process is a positive and happy one. This is the first stage of your child’s learning journey so we help this process by: 

• a full induction programme for children, parents and carers, which includes an induction evening meeting at the school and a stay and play session for children to attend with their parents/carers prior to a September start. 
• providing a wealth of information about getting ready for school life at Ss Peter and Paul. 

• Staff communicating with and where possible visiting the pre-school setting your child is already attending. 
• a nursery or home visit before the Summer holiday, before your child has their first day in school 
• a staggered entry in September. 

Phonics – Read Write Inc. 

We follow the Read Write In phonics scheme of learning. Children will have daily phonics lessons where they will learn the letter names and the sounds they make. Children will learn how to read using the sounds they know to blend words together. Phonics is taught in smaller groups in order to meet the needs of all children, we assess the children every half term and place them into the appropriate group for their level.  

Read Write Inc information for parents – linked here: Parent guide to Read Write Inc. Phonics | Oxford Owl

PE (Physical Education) 

Our PE day is a Wednesday and children will need to come to school dressed in the correct PE kit. For more information about PE requirements and expectations, please visit our uniform page.  

Outdoor Learning 

In Reception we have access to outdoor learning in all weather. This means that children should always wear/bring appropriate clothing. 

Reception prayers (Please ensure you practice each prayer together) 

Morning Prayer 

Prayer before meals 

Prayer after meals 

Evening Prayer 

Hail Mary Prayer 

Our Father Prayer