Reception

Welcome to Reception!

Spring 1 - We Can Be Heroes

In our We Can Be Heroes theme, children explore what it means to be brave, kind, and resilient through stories, play, and real-life role models. Using core texts such as Supertato, How to Catch a Dragon, and Superheroes Don’t Get Scared, pupils answer questions about familiar stories, describe events in detail, and create story maps with simple labels to show their understanding. They begin to write common red words independently, recognise set 1 sounds and special friends, and read simple phrases with growing confidence. Partner-talk helps them to organise ideas, solve problems, and articulate thoughts in well-formed sentences, while new vocabulary is introduced and used with increasing independence.

Alongside literacy, children refine their fundamental movement skills—rolling, crawling, hopping, skipping, and climbing—progressing towards fluent, controlled movement with balance and grace. Through dance and physical play, they develop strength, coordination, and agility, preparing them for future PE and creative disciplines. Our curriculum also encourages social and emotional growth: children learn to follow rules, understand the impact of their actions, and talk about feelings using zones of regulation. They begin to appreciate perseverance and goal setting, recognising when to overcome obstacles independently and when to seek help. Mathematical reasoning is nurtured through shape exploration, repeating patterns, and accurate numeral matching, while seasonal changes and community heroes are investigated through hands-on experiences such as handling ice, comparing emergency services past and present, and celebrating events like Chinese New Year. Together, these experiences help children see how they, too, can be everyday heroes in their community.

Spring 2 - Once Upon a Time

This half term, our EYFS children will immerse themselves in the magical world of stories and fairy tales. Through core texts such as Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, How to Be a Pirate, and a range of traditional fairy tales, pupils will enjoy story time, engage with non-fiction books, and retell familiar stories with growing confidence—sometimes through exact repetition, sometimes in their own words. They will make predictions about what might happen next, create detailed story maps, and begin to write short sentences using known words, capital letters, and full stops. Phonics continues to play a central role, with children recognising set 1 sounds and special friends, reading simple phrases, and even tackling nonsense words. Alongside literacy, children will explore number composition to 10, practise ordering and writing numbers, and develop early number bonds, while also using positional language to describe and direct.

Physical development is a key focus this term, with gymnastics helping children to refine their strength, balance, and coordination. They will practise jumping and landing safely, use a wide range of apparatus, and build agility for future physical disciplines. Health and wellbeing are explored through discussions about keeping bodies healthy—brushing teeth, eating well, exercising, and understanding the importance of sleep and safety. Children will also talk about themselves and their local community in Borehamwood, showing resilience and perseverance in play and problem-solving. Seasonal change is observed through spring walks and butterfly life cycles, while history and geography are brought to life by comparing transport past and present, considering pirate voyages, and commenting on images of castles and the Royal Family. 

Creative expression flourishes through art projects such as ducklings, role play with props, and music sessions where children learn about instruments and explore how music makes them feel. Celebrations including Easter enrich the curriculum, ensuring that children continue to grow as imaginative, confident learners.

Artwork in ReceptionNature collecting in Reception              

Welcome to Reception 2025