Reception
Welcome to Reception
At Brambles Primary Academy, we are READY, RESPECTFUL and SAFE.
Welcome to Reception!
On this page you’ll find out all about the exciting things we’ll be getting up to in Reception, what learning looks like in Reception and the topics we will be learning about.
We will also give you lots of ideas and information in regards to what you can do at home to help support your child’s learning.
Reception Team
Important Information
The School Day
The gates will open from 8:30am. The class register will be taken at 8:45am and learning will begin immediately after this. It is vital that pupils are on time to school so that they do not miss any important learning.
Pupils should bring to school each day:
- Their book bag
- A water bottle
- Suitable clothing for the weather to ensure they are comfortable during outdoor break times
- A packed lunch (if required)
Please ensure all items are clearly named.
Pupils are to be collected from school at 3:15pm
P.E will take place on Wednesday
Please click here for details of PE kit and school uniform
Reception Timetable
Key Dates
Monday 5th January - Children return to school
January to 13th February - RSPB's Big Schools' Birdwatch
31st January to 8th February - National Storytelling Week
Friday 6th February - NSPCC Number Day
9th February to 15th February - Children's Mental Health Week
Tuesday 10th February - Safer Internet Day
Friday 23rd January - INSET Day
Friday 13th February - Last Day of Term
Monday 23rd February - Children will return to school for Spring 2
What will we be learning in Reception?
Topic Overview - Spring 1
This half term our topic is “Travelling in Time.” Building on the skills and learning from Autumn 2, the children will deepen their understanding of the world by exploring Past and Present, recognising similarities and differences between now and then. Through imaginative play, storytelling and hands-on experiences, we will create our very own time machine, allowing us to travel back to significant moments in our lives, learn about our parents’ and grandparents’ childhoods, explore the time of the dinosaurs and even journey forwards in time to think about our dreams and aspirations for the future.
This exciting topic will be brought to life through carefully planned activities and experiences that encourage curiosity, discussion and reflection.
Throughout the half term, we will also take part in a range of national events that enrich our learning:
- RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch – observing and counting birds in our school grounds to learn about local wildlife and caring for the environment.
- National Storytelling Week – celebrating stories and authors, inspiring imagination and a love of books.
- Children’s Mental Health Week – exploring feelings, emotions and ways to look after our wellbeing.
- Safer Internet Day – learning about staying safe online in an age-appropriate way.
- NSPCC Number Day – enjoying fun, practical maths activities while learning about helping others.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
This half term, children will continue to develop confidence, resilience and independence. Through discussions about the past, present and future, they will reflect on their own experiences and begin to understand that everyone’s life journey is unique. We will talk about feelings linked to memories and change, support children in expressing their emotions, and encourage them to talk about their hopes and dreams.
Communication and Language
The children will be immersed in rich language experiences through stories, discussions and role play linked to time travel, dinosaurs and personal history. We will explore texts such as Jane Yolen’s How Do Dinosaurs…? collection, encouraging children to ask questions, describe events, and use new vocabulary linked to time, change and the past. Storytelling, circle time and imaginative play will support children to listen attentively, respond appropriately and speak with increasing confidence.
Physical Development
In PE, children will continue to develop their gross motor skills through movement, balance and coordination activities, including imaginative movement inspired by dinosaurs and journeys through time. Fine motor skills will be strengthened through activities such as drawing, cutting, model making and creating detailed artwork. These experiences support children’s control, strength and coordination, preparing them for writing and everyday tasks.
Literacy
We will explore a range of fiction and non-fiction texts linked to our topic, with a particular focus on Jane Yolen as our author for the half term. Children will listen to, discuss and retell stories, developing their understanding of narrative and sequence. We will continue to build phonics knowledge, practise reading simple words and captions, and write labels, sentences and short recounts — for example, about a dinosaur adventure or a memory from the past.
Mathematics
In Maths, children will build on their number knowledge, continuing to develop a secure understanding of numbers to 5 and beyond where appropriate. We will explore time by talking about past, present and future, sequencing events, and using everyday language such as “yesterday,” “today” and “tomorrow.” Practical activities linked to NSPCC Number Day and daily routines will help children develop counting, comparison and problem-solving skills.
Understanding the World
This area is at the heart of our topic. Children will explore Past and Present, learning about changes over time by comparing their own lives with those of their parents and grandparents. We will investigate the world of dinosaurs, learning about similarities and differences between then and now. Children will also explore the changing seasons, focusing on winter, investigating signs of winter in the environment and learning how animals, people and landscapes change. These experiences will support children in making sense of the world around them.
Expressive Arts and Design
Children will express their ideas and imagination through a range of creative activities linked to time travel and winter. They will create winter-themed artwork, dinosaur models, and imaginative creations inspired by journeys through time. Music, dance and role play will be used to retell stories and explore movement, including dinosaur-inspired actions. These activities support children in developing creativity, using materials purposefully and expressing themselves confidently.
Phonics
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised is our phonics programme used in school. Right from the start of Reception, children will have a daily phonics lesson which follows the progression for Little Wandle Letters and Sounds and this continues in Year One and Year Two to ensure children become fluent readers.
This half term, the children will continue to follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised phonics programme. We will build on the learning from Autumn 1 by introducing more Phase 2 sounds, including digraphs (two letters that make one sound, such as ss, ll, ff, ck).
Children will continue to practise blending sounds together to read simple words and segmenting words to spell them. They will also learn to read and write some common tricky words (such as I, go, no, to, the, into).
During our daily phonics sessions, children will have lots of opportunities to apply their learning through reading and writing activities, games, and small-group practice. We will also continue to focus on developing confident letter formation and using phonics to support early reading and writing in all areas of the curriculum.
Phonics Overview:
Spring 1 - Phase 3 Sounds
Previous Overviews:
Autumn 2 - Phase 2 Sounds
Autumn 1 - Phase 2 Sounds
Support for Parents:
Literacy Core Texts for Autumn 2
Coming soon
Author of the Half Term
Our Author for Spring 1 - Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen is a much-loved American author known for her beautifully written stories that spark imagination and wonder. She has written hundreds of books for children, from gentle picture books to traditional tales and poetry. Her stories often explore nature, family, kindness and curiosity in a way that really connects with young readers.
During Spring 1, we will be enjoying some of her best-known books, including stories from the How Do Dinosaurs… series, such as How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?. These stories will help inspire thoughtful discussions and a love of reading.
Links to try at home
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Little Wandle Letters and Sounds |
Reading - E-Library |
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Go Noodle |
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Maths Games
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Maths Games |
Go Noodle |
Communication
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