A very warm welcome to Reception

"When we give every child the best start in their early years, we give them what they need today.

We also set them up with every chance of success tomorrow.”

Development Matters 2021

We have two classes in Reception.

Squirrel Class is taught by Mrs Swart ( Early Years Lead) 

Fox Class is taught by Miss Beeney.

We are supported by Mrs Lavender, Miss Haswell, Miss Noonan and Mrs Dhilip

Mrs Siddiq is our EAL support.

On our class page you will find details about our topics, our timetable and other useful information. 

PE will be on Friday afternoons.  

Please see below the fun we get up to!

Reception at Churchend.

 At Churchend, we believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life. We strive to give children a love of learning and a strong foundation to grow, explore and achieve as lifelong learners and members of our community. We offer a progressive, developmentally appropriate and child-centred curriculum for our children, understanding that engagement is key to enabling children to fulfill their potential.

We believe that: 

• every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured
• children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships
• children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.

At Churchend we believe that engagement in learning is of upmost importance. Children learn most successfully when they are fully involved in their learning. Children can only be fully involved in their learning if their well-being is ensured, in a context of warm, secure and safe relationships. We know our children well and have used this knowledge to create a curriculum that is interesting and appropriate, that meets the needs of our children, their families and our community.

Our EYFS curriculum has been designed to meet the statutory requirements and educational programmes set out in the Early Years Foundation stage Framework. It is supported by the Development Matters document. It takes children from their baselines to the Early Learning Goals (age related expectations) and beyond. The EYFS curriculum at Churchend is a sequential, progressive and aspirational curriculum that is broad and rich with learning experiences.

We view the Prime Areas of Learning; Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Physical Development as being of great importance in creating a strong foundation for learning in the specific areas of learning; Maths, Literacy, Understanding the World and Expressive Art and Design. We revisit learning again and again to ensure that skills and knowledge are embedded for when children move into Year One and beyond, knowing more and remembering more. 

Learning in Reception

Read Write Inc

What we do

At Churchend Primary Academy we follow Read Write Inc Phonics to give your child the best possible start with their reading and literacy.

What is Read Write Inc?

Read Write Inc is a phonics programme which helps all children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. The programme is designed for children aged 4-7. However, we will continue teaching Read Write Inc to children beyond the age of 7 if they still need support in their reading.  Read Write Inc was developed by Ruth Miskin.

White Rose Maths

The White Rose Maths Reception scheme of learning aims to build a strong foundation in early years Maths by focusing on a mastery approach, where children develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts rather than simply memorising procedures. This is achieved through small, manageable steps, encouraging mathematical talk, and utilising engaging activities. The scheme emphasises fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving, preparing children for future mathematical success. 

Here's a more detailed look at the rationale:

• Mastery Approach:

  White Rose Maths Reception focuses on building a deep understanding of concepts, ensuring children "master" each step before moving on. 

• Small Steps:

  The year is broken down into manageable blocks, and each block is further divided into smaller steps, making learning easier and more accessible. 

• Building a Deep Understanding:

  The scheme emphasises building understanding of number, counting, and spatial reasoning through play and activities. 

• Encouraging Mathematical Talk:

  Sentence stems are used to encourage children to communicate their mathematical thinking. 

• Engagement and Fun:

  The scheme is designed to be engaging and fun, making learning enjoyable for children. 

• Supporting Teachers:

  White Rose provides resources and guidance to support teachers in delivering effective maths lessons. 

• Meeting the Needs of All Children:

  The scheme is designed to meet the needs of all children, helping them to master math at a similar pace. 

• Alignment with EYFS:

  The scheme is designed to support the key aspects of the EYFS curriculum. 

Mastering Number

In reception we follow a program called Mastering Number. The Mastering Number program from the National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (NCETM) is designed to help children in Reception and Key Stage 1 develop a strong understanding of numbers and fluency with number facts.

Forest School

Every Friday morning, we visit the forest school, led by Miss Beeney, to take part in different nature related activities. We visit forest school in all weathers, every week of the year. Please make sure your child has wellies and appropriate seasonal clothing (waterproofs, sunhats etc) for this weekly session.

Photo Gallery