Reception
Welcome to Reception
We have two classes in Reception who work closely together. Staff provide an
enabling and exciting environment to aid the children in their first steps in school,
and develop their skills, knowledge and confidence.
This page will give you information on how the children learn in Reception.
RTM Class
Teachers: Ms Tennies and Mrs Mander
Teaching Assistants: Miss Mouser and Mrs Newell
RK Class
Teacher: Miss King
Teaching Assistants: Miss Percy and Mrs Lawes
Mrs Avery teaches in RK on a Wednesday morning and all day on a Friday.
She teaches in RTM on a Wednesday afternoon.
Early Years Foundation Stage
The Early Years is the period of time in your child's life between birth and 5 years. This is a time when children learn rapidly developing skills, language and knowledge in a wide range of areas. During this period your child will be following the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework which focuses on 7 areas of learning and development which consist of:
The Prime Areas:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social and emotional development.
The Specific Areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. The professionals teaching and supporting your child will make sure that the activities and experiences planned are suited to your child’s unique needs. It is designed to be flexible so that staff can follow the children's needs and interests.
Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside.
The EYFS Framework has been updated for September 2021. You can find out more about it in the video and document below.
EYFS Framework September 2021
Reception Baseline September 2021
This will be the first year for all Reception children to take part in the Reception Baseline. Please see video and parent leaflet below for more information.
Reception Baseline Information for Parents
PE
Our PE day is a Friday. Please ensure PE kits are worn to school on those days. We will inform you when PE sessions will begin.
- White t-shirt/ school PE shirt or house shirt;
- Dark shorts;
- Dark joggers and sweatshirt;
- Trainers.
How we teach phonics in Reception- an audio Power Point presentation
Reading Eggs

Your child's log in details have been stapled to their reading record book. We hope you and your child enjoy exploring the Reading Egg programme!
For more information follow the link below to our Reading Eggs page on our website.
Tales ToolKit
In Reception, we use the program, Tales Toolkit. This is a fun and interactive way of helping children to develop their oral story telling skills. There are four key symbols that are used to help children develop their own narratives. Please see the website below and the parent information documents to find out more about this program. All parents in Reception can sign up to become members of the Tales Toolkit family. Make sure you have a look and begin your story telling journey.
Screen Time Information for Parents
Reception Tours
We are currently unable to offer tours of Reception. Please see the photos below which will show you the two Reception Classrooms at St Mary's School.
The Reception Classess are housed in their own building on the main school site. The children in Reception have their own outdoor area which includes a bicycle track, mud kitchen, a woodwork bench, water areas, a construction area and an outdoor reading and writing station. The children also have access to the main school where they can visit the library and have PE lessons in the Hall. The children are also able to access the school field for sports and the Forest School site.
If you have any questions about the Reception Class at St Mary's School, please email the school office.
New Parents Presentation 2021
Morning Routine in Reception
Children's Welcome Book 2021
A Day in Reception
Daily Timetable
Reception Photo Tour
Daily Life in Reception
Reception Documents
Getting Ready for School
Back to School Social Story
Early Years Websites for Parents