We are always delighted to welcome the newest members of the Uplands family into Merlins Class. We believe that this first year is instrumental in building a thirst for knowledge and learning and are privileged to be a part of it. The Reception staff team are warm and caring and quickly build strong relationships with the children.

Teaching and learning in the reception class is directed by the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. It covers seven stages of learning which are:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal and Social Development
• Literacy
• Maths
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

 

In addition to addressing all seven areas of learning, our curriculum is designed to promote the Characteristics of Effective Learning which are:

• Playing and Exploring
• Active Learning
• Creating and Thinking Critically

At Uplands School we aim to strike a balance between adult directed learning and opportunities for children to explore and learn independently. 

 

 

Every day we have a phonics session, following the Bug Club phonics programme.

During literacy sessions we take inspiration from a wide range of texts to inspire our reading and writing. We work with small groups of children to develop specific skills, alongside creating a stimulating learning environment where they can consolidate these skills independently.

Maths activities are planned to support the development of mathematical skills and thinking.

Termly topics

We take a topic-based approach to the wider curriculum. Our termly topics are:

• All About Me (Term 1 and 2)
• Brum Brum, Beep, Beep/ We Have Lift Off (Terms 3 and 4)
• Our Wild World (Terms 5 and 6)

 

During these topics, children have plenty of opportunities to explore ideas practically and to follow their own fascinations and interests.

Assessment

We use the online assessment tool Tapestry to record our observations and support teacher assessment. These are shared with parents and carers regularly. It is important to the staff at Uplands to build strong communication between home and school.

Transition to School

At Uplands Primary School we know that most children have an excellent pre-school or nursery experience before joining us. This means that many of them are 'school ready' by September and keen to start school. In response to this we have developed a transition timetable that enables children to get into a school routine as quickly as possible. We aim to have all children attending school full time from the third full week in September onwards.

 

See below for an example timetable of the transition period for our new reception children starting at Uplands.

September:
First Full Week of School Term

 

Second Full Week of School Term

 

As part of the transition process we also meet with staff from the pre-school and nursery settings that the children have attended. Children and their families will be able to visit the classroom and school site in July. When possible, home visits are carried out by staff in the first week of September. This gives parents an opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have in the privacy of their own home.