Early Years Foundation Stage

We had a very special afternoon today with Mr Gilbert, learning all about OPAL play and the exciting new opportunities coming to Reception! From Monday 24th March, our Reception children will be able to explore more of the playground at lunchtime, joining in with a wider range of outdoor play activities alongside the rest of the school.

Learning Through Play

This is a fantastic step in their development, helping to build important skills such as:
🤝 Teamwork – Learning to share, take turns, and collaborate with older peers.
🛠 Problem-Solving – Figuring out how to use equipment safely and creatively.
💪 Resilience – Trying new challenges, learning from mistakes, and building confidence.

Mr Gilbert has already spoken with Key Stage 1 and 2 children, explaining how they can help our Reception children feel welcome and supported during this transition. Today, he talked to Reception about:
✅ Which adults will be there to help
✅ What activities they can take part in
✅ How to assess risks and play safely – for example, thinking about which equipment is safe to use in wet weather
✅ Rules for different activities

An Exciting Adventure Awaits!

We can’t wait to see our Reception children embrace this new experience with enthusiasm and confidence. It’s a wonderful opportunity to grow, explore, and learn through play!

Can your child remember what Mr Gilbert spoke about? We’d love to hear what they are most looking forward to! 😊

On March 4th, in Early Years, we had a fantastic time celebrating Shrove Tuesday, a special day that marks the beginning of Lent. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to learn about traditions, work together, and develop key skills—all while making and enjoying some delicious pancakes!

Learning Through Experience

The afternoon was filled with exciting activities that encouraged listening, speaking, and teamwork. The children took part in discussions about Shrove Tuesday and Lent, learning why pancakes are traditionally eaten on this day. They shared their own thoughts, asked questions, and explored new vocabulary such as ingredients, batter, flipping, and Lent.

Making the pancakes was a great way to strengthen coordination and independence, as they carefully mixed the ingredients and chose their toppings—lemon juice, golden syrup, or chocolate sauce. Taking turns and making choices helped them develop confidence and decision-making skills, while the hands-on experience supported their understanding of the world around them.

A Tasty Treat in the Sunshine!

After all their hard work, the children enjoyed their pancakes outside in the sunshine while listening to a lovely pancake-themed story. It was a brilliant way to encourage curiosity and conversation, as they described the different tastes, textures, and smells of their treats.

Talk About It at Home! 💭

Keep the conversation going at home with these questions:
1️⃣ What are Miss Blake, Miss Pearce, and Miss Smith giving up for Lent?
2️⃣ What marks the end of Lent?

It was a truly memorable learning experience, bringing together storytelling, discussion, hands-on cooking, and outdoor enjoyment. A fantastic way to begin our journey through Lent!

As part of our exciting "What is Your Superpower?" topic, Reception had a fantastic time learning from some incredible real-life superheroes who help people every day! From doctors to police officers, our special visitors shared their skills and experiences, inspiring the children to think about the many ways people make a difference in the world.

A Visit from Oscar’s Mummy – The Paediatric Doctor 👩‍⚕️

We were delighted to welcome Oscar’s mummy, Rosie, who taught us all about her superpower—being a paediatric doctor! She explained how she looks after children and helps them feel better using special medical equipment. The children were fascinated to meet Dr Teddy, who needed a check-up, and they had a wonderful time using real medical tools to make sure their friends were feeling well too.

"The children were completely engaged, asking thoughtful questions and even role-playing as doctors themselves!" said Miss Pearce. "It was lovely to see so many children now saying they want to be doctors when they grow up!"

Lily’s Mummy Teaches Us About Physiotherapy 🏃‍♂️

We welcomed Lily’s mummy, a paediatric physiotherapist, who taught us all about her special power—helping children to move and grow stronger! The children took part in some fun exercises and watched a video showing the different equipment that physiotherapists use.

Miss Blake shared, "The children loved getting active and seeing how physiotherapy helps people every day. We can’t wait to hear what they remember most!"

A Special Story with Rev. Franklin 📖

We were joined by Rev. Franklin, who shared the Nativity Story with Reception. The children listened intently before joining in a wonderful performance of Wriggly Nativity—a lovely way to reflect on the power of kindness and giving.

Meeting the Police – PC Kate & PCSO Del 🚔

The excitement continued as we welcomed PC Kate and PCSO Del, who talked about their important job in keeping us and our neighbourhood safe. The children learned about road safety, how and when to contact the police, and even a special police wave!

The biggest thrill? Trying on different police hats—including a riot police helmet! Miss Smith said, "The children absolutely loved exploring the police equipment and learning about the many ways police officers help us."

Discovering Our School Superheroes 🏫

To round off our week of learning, the children got to meet some of the everyday superheroes in our own school! We visited:

• Mrs Ryder, Mr Gilbert & Mr Myers (Senior Leadership Team) – who make sure our school runs smoothly.
• Mr Hennessy (Site Manager) – who keeps our school safe and well-maintained.
• Mrs Kennett & Miss Granellie (Office Staff) – who help keep everything organised and running efficiently.

It was wonderful for the children to see how many people work together to make our school a happy and safe place to learn!

A huge thank you to all our visitors for taking the time to share their superpowers with us. The children loved every moment and have been truly inspired to think about how they, too, can help others in the future! 🌟

Our Nursery and Reception children had a truly unforgettable experience as we welcomed Little City into our school on February 14th. This exciting event, designed to complement our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) topic "What is Your Superpower?", focused on the amazing people who help us in our daily lives.

From the moment the children stepped into the immersive Little City setup, their imaginations ran wild! They eagerly took on the roles of doctors, shopkeepers, firefighters, hairdressers, and more—exploring real-world careers in a playful and meaningful way. The hands-on activities not only sparked curiosity but also deepened their understanding of how different jobs contribute to our community.

"It was incredible to see how engaged the children were," said Miss Peace, EYFS Lead. "They were completely absorbed in their roles, using problem-solving, communication, and creativity to navigate the different professions."

The interactive experience allowed children to dress up, use realistic props, and engage in role-playing scenarios that brought their learning to life. Whether they were scanning groceries at the shop, putting out pretend fires, or caring for ‘patients’ in the hospital, the excitement was contagious.

Miss Thompstone, Nursery teacher, shared: "One child told me, ‘I want to be a vet when I grow up!’—seeing their aspirations take shape through play was truly heartwarming."

A huge thank you to our parents and guardians for their support in making this event possible. Your contributions helped bring this wonderful learning opportunity to our children, and we hope they came home buzzing with stories about their day in the Little City!

As the Autumn term draws to a close, we’re excited to share a glimpse into the incredible journey of learning and growth your children have embarked on so far. 

To celebrate and showcase their hard work, we have created a special Spotlight on Learning. This interactive Microsoft Sway presentation captures the highlights of this term, showcasing what the children have learnt and how their experiences have been enriched both inside and outside the classroom.

How to View the Spotlight

View Microsoft Sway Presentation and take a virtual tour through the learning journey of the first half of the autumn term.

We hope you enjoy this opportunity to see the progress and enthusiasm your children have shown over the past weeks. It’s a testament to their hard work, curiosity, and the supportive community we’ve built together!

The recent Diwali Workshop was an incredible experience for our Reception children.

One of the highlights of the day was the interactive retelling of Rama and Sita: The Diwali Story. This engaging session brought the ancient tale to life, captivating the young minds and offering them a memorable introduction to the story behind Diwali.

Beyond the story, the children were introduced to the various customs and rituals that make Diwali so special. From the lighting of diyas (oil lamps) to the colorful decorations and festive foods, they learned all about the traditions that make the festival so vibrant.

The fun didn’t stop there—everyone had the chance to learn a traditional song wishing good luck, which added to the excitement. To top it all off, the children joined in a joyful dance, embracing the spirit of Diwali with energy and enthusiasm.

All in all, it was the perfect way to end the week, creating lasting memories for our Reception children. We are deeply grateful for everyone’s support, making this Diwali Workshop a truly unforgettable experience for our young learners.