Life in our Reception class is truly special, it’s a place filled with laughter, curiosity and kindness. At the same time, it is a place where children thrive academically and build the strong foundations they need for future success.
As noted in our recent inspection:
“There is a well-embedded approach to early reading, mark making and writing skills. Staff also support children to develop their understanding of early number, shape and space. As a result, children are well prepared to move onto Year 1 by the end of the Reception year.”
ISI Inspector, December 2025
A Magical Environment
Stepping into our school grounds feels like entering a secret garden. Reception children enjoy a wonderful outdoor space complete with exciting play equipment, perfect for climbing, sliding and even whizzing down a fireman’s pole. This environment encourages adventure, confidence and imaginative play.
Our much loved school pets add to the warm, homely atmosphere. Maggie, our gentle school dog, brings a calming presence to the classroom, while Rosie and Ruby the goats never fail to make children smile. George and Mildred, our tortoises, help teach patience, responsibility and care. Research shows that interacting with animals like tortoises can support children’s wellbeing, reduce anxiety and encourage nurturing behaviour.
Strong Relationships and Support
From the very beginning, Reception children are paired with a Year 3 buddy. These special friendships help younger pupils feel safe and supported, especially during playtimes. Knowing there is a familiar, friendly face nearby builds confidence and emotional securit
A Love of Learning
Learning in Reception is fun and engaging, the children are lucky enough to go on four educational trips throughout the year. One of these trips is to the Blue Planet Aquarium, which brings the topic about “Life Under the Sea” to life and deepens understanding through real world experiences.
Budding Readers
Reading is at the heart of everything we do. Thanks to our exceptional 1:12 teacher to child ratio, each child is heard to read individually three times a week. Alongside this, children take part in group reading sessions through our Monster Phonics programme.
Phonics is taught daily, with new sounds introduced regularly. Each child begins the year with a baseline assessment, allowing us to tailor teaching to their individual needs and ensure they make excellent progress.
Developing Confident Writers
Writing is a key focus in Reception. Every few weeks, children complete a new piece of writing which is proudly displayed on our ‘Writing Wall’. This wonderful showcase allows children, families and staff to see just how much progress has been made, from letter formation to confident sentence writing.
To support this, children take part in a wide range of activities designed to strengthen fine motor skills, helping them develop the pencil control needed for accurate letter formation.
A Rich and Varied Curriculum
Our curriculum is carefully designed to balance strong academic foundations with creativity and exploration. Alongside phonics, reading, writing and maths, children benefit from specialist teaching in a range of subjects.
Weekly outdoor learning sessions linked to the EYFS curriculum take place in our dedicated outdoor classroom, giving children the opportunity to learn in a different environment and supporting a variety of learning styles.
Art lessons with our specialist teacher in the Art room are a firm favourite and have a positive impact on children’s wellbeing, encouraging creativity and self-expression.
Music is another highlight of the week. Reception children take part in specialist led music lessons and perform in the Lower School Nativity. Taking part in a production like this helps to build confidence, teamwork and communication skills, while creating lasting memories.
Children also enjoy weekly PE and French lessons taught by specialist teachers, broadening their experiences and developing new skills from an early age.
Pathway to Success
Our Reception class is the start of the Forest journey to reaching success!
“By the end of Year 6, pupils have developed a thorough understanding of the curriculum. Many go on to achieve scholarships or places in selective senior schools.”
ISI Inspector, December 2025
