Mrs York, Mrs Hobson and Miss Westwood would like to welcome you to the Reception area of our website.

We are always excited when it’s time to meet our new classes each year.  We hope that our summer taster and September induction sessions help both you and your child settle into life at Church of the Ascension Primary School.

EYFS Policy Sept 2025

Daily Routines

The playground gates will open at 8:40am. Children go directly to their classrooms, via the allocated entry point, from 8:45am onwards. This is similar to the arrangements that we have during bad weather. Staff will be positioned at the gates to the school and at the entry points. We would ask that families do not approach the classrooms or class teachers directly and instead inform the adults that are on the playground or at the allocated doors, who will pass any messages on.

Allocated doors:

Reception pupils: up the ramp outside of reception classes, to the double fire exit doors.

When the children come into school they quickly learn to find their coat peg, put book bags away in trays and water bottles in the baskets.  They find their name card ready for registration to begin and sit sensibly on their class mat.

Children will need a healthy snack for their morning break and you can choose whether your child has a school dinner, school sandwich or a packed lunch from home.  Universal free school meals are available to all children in Reception, year one and year two.

The children are offered fruit and milk for their afternoon snack each day.

The school day finishes at 3.20pm and your child will be dismissed onto the key stage one playground.

Important Information

Monday – Children will change their library book and hand in any completed homework

Wednesday – P.E day (please ensure any earrings are removed and long hair is tied back)

Friday – Children will bring home a (voluntary) piece of homework. Any new phonemes (sounds)/words that have been taught are sent for the children to practise with a grown up at home. An ELS Phonics eBook will be set for homework (try to read this book with your child 3 times during the following week)

Where the Magic Happens!

Our reception classes are colourful, fun and nurturing environments. We focus on supporting the children’s social and emotional needs, ensuring that they feel happy, safe and have a sense of belonging. Our curriculum includes daily phonics and maths lessons and lots of opportunities to learn through purposeful play both inside and in our wonderful outdoor spaces.

We encourage all children to explore their environment, ask questions and think critically and we always take advantage of the ‘wow’ moments that present themselves everyday.

The children experience a broad curriculum from a mixture of teacher directed and child initiated activities delivered through engaging topics (see topic overview) or by developing their own ideas and interests.

Reception Topic Overview 2025

We aim to develop a love of reading for all children with daily shared stories, individual reading books, book studies, reading corners, online books and games and access to school library books. We encourage and support all children in beginning their reading journey as quickly as they can.

Reception year sets the foundation for all learning. We hope your child enjoys our rich learning environment, making memories that will last a lifetime!