Nestled within our bright, purpose-built building known as The Ark, our Reception environment is thoughtfully designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confident learning. Here, children learn through carefully structured play, both indoors and outdoors, in a setting that encourages exploration and discovery.
Our balanced curriculum grows from each child’s natural interests, sparking wonder and laying the foundation for lifelong learning. We nurture imaginative, creative, and critical thinking skills, helping children gain confidence to explore the wider world and make meaningful connections through their classroom activities.
We empower our youngest learners to think independently, take risks, make decisions, and build self-confidence, respect, and esteem – essential building blocks for their personal growth.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, and Physical Development form the heart of our Reception curriculum.
Literacy is taught daily through a well-structured phonics programme using Jolly Phonics and Read Write Inc. Children are encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings and begin to master the early stages of mark making and writing.
Mathematics is introduced through hands-on activities such as counting games, songs, weighing, measuring, and subitising, helping children develop a strong number sense.
Physical development flourishes through outdoor exploration in our garden and woodland areas, PE lessons, games, and swimming sessions.
Understanding the World enables children to explore nature, their community, and technology, while Expressive Arts and Design invites them to express themselves freely through creativity and imagination.
Exciting off-site visits bring learning to life, and we love welcoming parents and local experts to share their passions with our children.
Our specialist teachers lead sessions in PE, music, and swimming, enriching the curriculum and helping children develop diverse skills and interests.
We use an online learning journal called Tapestry to capture your child’s progress through photos, videos, and observations. This personalised record allows you to celebrate milestones and share your child’s achievements with us, fostering a strong partnership between home and school.
Our open-door policy means you are always welcome to chat informally with staff about your child’s development. We also hold formal Parent-Teacher meetings each term, and send written reports at the end of the Michaelmas and Summer terms.
The EYFS Profile is completed at the end of Reception to assess each child’s development across 17 Early Learning Goals, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their readiness for Year 1.
By the end of Reception, children are confident and enthusiastic learners, ready to step into the more structured Year 1 environment. To ease this transition, Year 1 classrooms are arranged similarly to Reception, and children meet their new teachers before the move. Our Year 1 staff are fully briefed on each child’s development to provide tailored support as they progress.
