Reception

The Curriculum in the Reception Year

Children’s work in the Reception Year follows a pattern that is appropriate for the early years of school.  Elements of good nursery and pre-school education will form an important part of the work covered, building from experiences in the home and in the pre-school setting.  We have good relationships with feeder playgroups and nurseries so we are able to use their comprehensive records of achievement in our group and individual planning.

The six main curriculum areas are drawn from the national guidelines, but in school Religious Education is also fundamental to our work.

Curriculum Areas

• Personal, Social & Emotional Development (including E.P.R.)
• Communication, Language & Literacy
• Mathematical Development
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
• Physical Development
• Creative Development
• Religious Education

We follow the National Curriculum, where appropriate, and we are developing our approaches to the new initiatives in the National Literacy Strategy and National Numeracy Strategy.  We support these government strategies and we believe that they build upon the good practice we have been adopting in our approaches to teaching.  Children can expect to be involved in Literacy and Numeracy sessions as soon as they begin school. The Reception Year classes will be developing daily Literacy and Numeracy lessons; with a view to practising full literacy and numeracy sessions by the end of year.

Many aspects of learning will be covered through play and games and we strive to ensure that learning is both enjoyable and challenging.

We teach a broad and balanced curriculum, giving opportunities for each child to demonstrate the diversity of his/her abilities.  However, there is a strong emphasis on the development of literacy especially reading.    Regular reading at home is vital.  Your child will be encouraged to choose from a variety of books.  These books will be changed daily.

The Reception Year is a time for children to settle comfortably into the routine of school and to learn the importance of positive relationships with their peers and adults.  Within the secure and stimulating environment the curriculum seeks to achieve a balance between experience related learning, through practical activities and structured play, and the more formal aspects, which lay the foundation of the National Curriculum core subjects, encompassing reading, writing, mathematics and science.

The overall aim of the Reception Year is to produce happy, motivated, confident and independent learners, ready and eager to proceed through the school with an already developing awareness that they are unique in the eyes of God.