Reception
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a framework for children’s development from birth to the end of the Reception year of Primary School. There are four overarching principles;
- A unique child – At Thorntree we recognise that every child is unique. We celebrate difference and encourage our pupils to be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
- Positive Relationships – The relationships we build with children, parents and carers in Reception provides a foundation which lasts through their entire time at Thorntree School. Working together with families our children learn to be strong and independent.
- Enabling environments - The environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning. Our learning environment combines a classroom with access to an outside area for sole use of Reception class children. Most of each day children are able to follow their own path and ‘free flow’ inside and out. We have the largest onsite ‘Forest School’ in the borough, which we use for a whole session each week.
- Learning and Developing – Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of learning and development are equally important.
These themes are used to underpin the learning and development that your child will take part in during their time in Reception. Children learn in a variety of ways: watching others, talking, asking questions, listening, exploring and investigating. We use a holistic approach to plan purposeful play experiences covering the seven areas of the EYFS curriculum;
3 Prime Areas:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication, and language
- Physical development
4 specific areas:
- Mathematics
- Literacy
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
The Reception class daily routine includes whole class story-times, singing songs and rhymes, maths and phonics sessions. Each day children are invited to participate in an adult led activity where there is a specific learning intention or outcome.
We place huge importance on fostering a love of books and equip our pupils with the skills to be competent readers.
We take trips to the local parks and community and as the year progresses we explore the area beyond.
As part of the whole school community we participate in many festivals and events including Harvest, the Christmas Nativity play, Chinese New Year, Easter and May Day celebrations.
Above all we make sure learning is fun!
Reception Class Music Session
