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Reception: Our Ethos & Vision

Here at Avondale we offer an exceptional setting for your child’s first steps towards lifelong learning. Children start Reception in the September following their fourth birthday. Our dedicated and highly experienced team create a caring and nurturing environment where your child can grow in confidence, as they start their all-important learning journey.

At this level, there is a mix of adult-led or child-initiated activities and much of the curriculum is built from the children’s interests. Our ethos strongly builds upon learning through play, learning through the environment and learning through meaningful and engaging experiences. We believe these are the key elements that build the foundations for a lifelong love of learning.

We spend lots of time focusing on the Characteristics of Effective Learning where we support children to become confident, independent and resilient learners. We always empower our children to believe everything is possible.

An Exciting Place to Learn

Reception benefit from a sheltered decking area as well as a wonderful outdoor space which is solely used by Reception children. Children are able to access the outdoor spaces on a free-flow basis, daily. Phonics becomes a significant focus within the Reception year. We use ‘Cued Articulation’ alongside our phonics curriculum, which helps children’s speaking skills as well as their reading and writing skills. This has proved extremely successful.

The children take part in weekly cooking, art and library sessions; enjoying and borrowing books from our own school library. The children also enjoy P.E at least once a week and are taught music and French by specialist teachers.

Communicating with Parents

We use Tapestry which is an online learning journal. Parents are able to view their child’s learning, progress and next steps, as well as how much fun the children are having at school, whilst also uploading their own comments and media. A strong link is built between school and home. Parents are updated weekly on their children’s learning.