Reception
We have a wonderful, spacious, sunny Reception (Foundation Stage) classroom with areas for role play such as a home area, a shop, a reading area,an outside area and a kitchen. There are nearby toilet facilities, a cloakroom and a large working area. Our Reception girls enter the school by ballot and are therefore part of a mixed-ability class of about twenty-two girls. They are taught by two full-time teachers and a part-time assistant, who take the class for the majority of their lessons. They have specialist teachers for Music, PE, Art and DT, French and Drama and they flourish in this busy, happy and supportive environment.
The Early Years setting is a free choice environment where the children feel secure. It is fun, colourful, noisy, busy and well planned. The curriculum is enhanced by specialist teaching in Art/DT, Drama, Dance, Music, French and PE. The children have the stability and security of the presence of the key workers at all times. Clear messages are relayed relating to building confidence and rewarding efforts. Children’s work is displayed and celebrated in the classroom and around the school in a variety of media, including, “wow books” which contain photographs of the children engaged in activities and any work they choose to put in and a “super wall” display that contains the work the children are most proud of.
Lessons are well-planned, incorporating a wide range of teaching and learning styles. Activities are based on the children’s interests. The timetable is carefully planned so that all areas of the curriculum can be delivered effectively through adult led and child initiated activities. We have created a predominately free choice environment that encourages the children to select their own resources, initiate ideas, and be openly creative. During the school year the girls also have opportunities to take part in drama and dance productions, assemblies, and to communicate through peer and adult interaction and class discussions.
The children broadly follow the Foundation Stage Early Learning Goals of the National Curriculum.
Children are taught reading and writing using a synthetic phonics approach and are taught all of their sounds so they usually begin to read and write relatively early. Maths is taught in small groups and a "hands-on" practical approach is taken, using appropriate equipment to consolidate and aid understanding. We have a wealth of colourful, bright resources to enhance their learning in Reception and there are plenty of opportunities for structured play, construction, singing, cooking, riding wheeled toys, dressing up and imaginative play.
