Curriculum Overviews

Reception

In our Reception at Tolworth School we provide a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment in which all children can develop and learn through play and adult directed activities. The activities and experiences we provide encourage the children to become motivated and independent thinkers and learners. Our three-form entry Reception builds on the skills children have developed from our school nursery and previous settings, following the guidance set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

Click here to go to the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework

A typical reception class day is made up of structured teaching and small group time; there are plenty of opportunities for free flow time where the children enjoy a range of activities of their choice, both inside and outside of the classroom. This structure allows the children to develop their learning at an age appropriate pace and supports them in their development of key areas such as social skills, communication and language and physical development.

Our exciting curriculum is stimulating and fun including carefully chosen, engaging texts. It allows time for child led learning, where the class teachers and teaching assistants can adapt activities so they work alongside the interests of our children. Our classrooms are designed to support children’s engagement in a wide range of activities to support all areas of their development. Children are encouraged to explore their surroundings and take ownership of their classroom and learning.

In Reception the children begin to learn phonics using ‘Essential Letters and Sounds’ (for more information please see our Reading and Phonics page) We learn 4 sounds a week and introduce ‘harder to read and spell words’ alongside new sounds. As well as daily focussed teaching the children have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of phonics within their self-selected play.

Reception classes are taught a daily maths session and each class has a self-selection maths area that the children can access throughout the day. Our maths curriculum is based on the White Rose Maths programme. This research-based scheme ensure that the skills and concepts children taught are fully embedded before moving on. Children will develop a strong sense of number and place value which enables them to understand numbers they encounter in the world around them. We also learn about patterns with colours, shapes and numbers and explore different measures including length and height.

You can find further information about the topics we cover each half term and the learning based on these on the website under the Reception curriculum tab.

We establish strong relationships with parents and carers and work together to support the children's learning. It is really important that parents and carers support us and their children with reading. We encourage you to read to, or with your child every night, we offer a phonic stay and play session in the Autumn term for an opportunity for you to watch Reception phonics in practice and to ask any questions. Children in Reception love sharing their WOW moments with us and we work very closely with families to provide an exciting and meaningful start to school.