Welcome to Reception!

We would like to warmly welcome your child into Reception. We are very excited to support them as they begin their journey at Red Hill Primary School and look forward to a wonderful year of learning, friendship and new experiences!

At Red Hill, we have three Reception classes:

RW Miss Whelton
RNS Mrs Norton and Mrs Shephard
RH Mr Hoyer

Our teaching assistants are Mrs Ede, Miss Mihailova and Mrs Danczak-obi
 

Our Class Pioneers

Our Class Pioneers are inspirational people who have made a difference through their ideas, creativity, curiosity and determination. They remind us that being a pioneer means having the courage to think differently, follow your passions and make your own mark on the world.

RW- Michael Rosen 
Michael Rosen is a British children’s author, poet, and performer, best known for his much-loved book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’.

RNS- Katherine Johnson 
Katherine Johnson was an African American mathematician whose calculations helped Nasa send astronauts safely into Space.

RH- Ruby Bridges 
Ruby Bridges was the first African American child to attend an all-white elementary school in Louisiana, becoming a symbol of the fight against racial segregation.

 

In Reception at Red Hill, children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum as they work towards achieving the Early Learning Goals. A well-structured curriculum and thoughtfully designed learning environments support the development of essential knowledge and skills, while providing opportunities for independent exploration, creativity and discovery.

The children learn skills, acquire new knowledge and demonstrate their understanding through seven areas of learning and development. All areas of learning and development are important and interconnected:

Prime areas

• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development

 Specific areas

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

 

Our first topic this term is ‘Marvellous Me!’
Please click the links at the end of the page to see our Autumn 1 topic overview, long-term plan, as well as the presentation from our EYFS curriculum meeting on Monday 14^th September 2026:

Independent Learning Opportunities
Teachers set up the classrooms with a range of exciting and engaging activities that are practical and multi-sensory. Activities are linked to the half termly topic or the key text for the week. Children have a wide range of resources in the classrooms that they can access freely to support their independent learning activities. Activities are also set up to provide children with opportunities to practise their speaking and listening skills and encourage them to practise reading and writing throughout the day.

Phonics
At Red Hill, we follow the Little Wandle programme for the teaching of phonics. The children are taught sounds at a quick pace, therefore allowing them to blend (read) and segment (spell) a range of words. The children learn a new sound Monday – Thursday, and there is a review session on a Friday. Reception lessons start at 10 minutes, with daily additional oral blending opportunities. These sessions increase in time as the children continue throughout the year.
Please see the link below to show the correct pronunciation of each single sound.

Reception Outside Learning Area (ROLA)
We are very lucky at Red Hill to have an amazing outdoor learning environment!

In this area we have a large sandpit, performance equipment, role-play areas, water exploration area, construction and creative areas. This large space allows the children to transfer their learning and skills from the classroom to their outside activities.

PE 
PE for all three classes this half term is on a Wednesday. The children can wear their Red Hill PE kit to school for the day. They do not need to bring their school uniform to change into. Please see below the PE kit uniform list for Red Hill - 

PE kits (as outlined in the uniform letter):

• Plain t-shirt in house colour (red, blue, green, yellow) or P.E. t-shirt with the embroidered badge
• Navy shorts/skort, tracksuit bottoms or leggings/cycling shorts
• Trainers or plimsolls
• Navy sweatshirt or hoodie (iron on badge can be applied but not necessary.

Outdoor clothing
We are in our outside area come rain or shine! Please could you provide your child with a waterproof all in one, and a pair of wellington boots. Please ensure all items are clearly named.

 
 

Outdoor Learning sessions
As a school, we have Outdoor Learning days throughout the year. Further into the Autumn term, Reception will also have their own Outdoor Learning sessions in their classes. Further information will follow.

 

Supporting your child with learning at home

Phonics
After the first couple of weeks, the children will bring home a homework book. These will contain sound activity sheets, based on the sounds the children have learnt in phonics. Homework books will be sent out each Friday, and we ask that they are returned the following Wednesday.

Reading
Each week the children will bring home a book from the book corner to share with you at home. Please take time reading this with your child and encourage simple discussion.

When the children start to bring home their banded reading books, we ask that you please read with your child three times a week and sign the reading record. Please ensure that your child’s reading record and books are in school each day, as staff will read regularly with them throughout the week.