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 23rd February - Children return to school for Spring 2
Tuesday 4th/Wednesday 5th March - Parents evening
Thursday 6th March - World Book Day. Bedtime stories theme
Friday 20th March - Inset Day
Friday 27th March - Finish for Easter Holidays
What will we be learning in Reception?
Topic Overview - Spring 2
This half term our topic is “Loving Life.”
Building on the skills and learning from Spring 1, the children will now deepen their understanding of the natural world by exploring weather and seasonal changes, new life, growth and life cycles. As we move from winter into spring, we will observe changes in our environment, notice signs of new life and explore how living things grow and change over time.
Through hands-on experiences, storytelling and investigation, we will plant seeds, observe growth, explore life cycles and learn how to care for living things. This topic encourages curiosity, awe and wonder as children begin to understand that life is constantly changing and growing.
Throughout the half term, we will also take part in a range of special celebrations and national events that enrich our learning:
- World Book Day – celebrating stories and developing our love of reading.
- Science Week – exploring growth, plants and life cycles through investigation and enquiry.
- Holi – learning about the Festival of Colours and celebrating spring.
- Mother’s Day – reflecting on special people in our lives.
- Eid – learning about celebration, community and kindness.
- Easter – exploring themes of new life and new beginnings.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
This half term children will continue to develop confidence, independence and resilience. Through planting seeds and caring for our class plants, they will learn about responsibility and perseverance — understanding that growth takes time and care.
We will reflect on celebrations such as Mother’s Day and Eid, encouraging children to talk about their families, special traditions and what makes them unique. Discussions about new life and change will support children in understanding that change can be positive and exciting.
Communication and Language
Children will be immersed in rich language experiences through stories, non-fiction texts and first-hand exploration. We will explore key texts such as: Jack and the Beanstalk; Jack and the Jelly Beanstalk; It Starts with a Seed; The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Through storytelling, retelling, sequencing and role play, children will develop vocabulary linked to growth and change such as: seed, sprout, roots, stem, blossom, caterpillar, chrysalis, lifecycle, weather, season.
We will encourage children to ask questions, make predictions and describe what they observe in our outdoor area.
Physical Development
As the weather improves, we will make full use of our outdoor environment. Children will develop gross motor skills through climbing, balancing and large-scale movement inspired by growing plants (stretching tall like beanstalks!) and minibeasts.
Fine motor skills will be strengthened through planting seeds, digging, scooping soil, drawing life cycles and careful cutting and sticking activities. These experiences support hand strength and coordination in preparation for writing.
Literacy
We will explore a range of fiction and non-fiction texts linked to our topic, with a particular focus on Eric Carle as our author for the half term.
In Phonics, we will continue following Little Wandle Spring 2, revisiting and applying previously taught digraphs. Children will practise reading and writing words and simple sentences with increasing fluency and confidence.
We will apply our phonics skills through writing linked to our topic, including: Labels for parts of a plant; Simple instructions for planting seeds; Story maps and retelling Jack and the Beanstalk; Captions describing the life cycle of a butterfly
During World Book Day, we will celebrate authors and illustrators, further developing our love of reading.
Mathematics
In Maths, children will continue to develop
secure number sense and deepening understanding through practical exploration.
Our maths learning will link closely to our topic, including: measure - exploring capacity, comparing rainfall, measuring growth and discussing heavier/lighter; Sequencing life cycles and ordering events; Counting seeds, comparing quantities and solving practical problems and Exploring patterns inspired by minibeasts and spring flowers.
Children will use mathematical language such as taller, shorter, longer, heavier, lighter, full, empty, first, next, last.
Understanding the World
This area is at the heart of our topic. Children will explore the changing seasons, observing signs of spring in our school grounds. We will discuss weather patterns and how they affect plants, animals and people.
We will investigate life cycles — from seed to plant and caterpillar to butterfly — and learn what living things need to survive and grow. During Science Week, children will take part in simple investigations, making predictions and observing changes over time.
Celebrations such as Holi, Eid and Easter will support children in recognising similarities and differences between cultural and religious communities.
Expressive Arts and Design
Children will explore colour and creativity through learning about Holi, creating artwork inspired by the Festival of Colours. We will also explore collage techniques inspired by Eric Carle, using layered tissue paper, bold colours and textured effects to create our own caterpillars, butterflies and minibeasts. Spring art will include observational drawings of flowers, symmetrical butterfly paintings and collage blossom trees, encouraging children to experiment with colour mixing, printing and pattern.
Through music, movement and role play, children will retell the story of Jack and the Beanstalk and create imaginative small-world scenes.
These experiences will encourage children to explore, experiment and express their ideas confidently while developing their creativity and imagination.
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 Spring1 by revisiting and applying previously taught digraphs. Children will practise reading and writing words and simple sentences with increasing fluency and confidence.
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:
Previous Overviews:
Spring 1 - Phase 3 Sounds
Autumn 2 - Phase 2 Sounds
Autumn 1 - Phase 2 Sounds
Support for Parents:
Literacy Core Texts for Spring 2
Author of the Half Term
Our Author for Spring 2 - Eric Carle
Eric Carle was a much-loved author and illustrator, best known for his distinctive collage-style artwork and beautifully simple stories inspired by nature. He created many popular children’s books that explore themes of growth, change and the natural world in a way that captivates young readers.
During Spring 2, we will be enjoying some of his best-known stories, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar. His vibrant illustrations and engaging storytelling will inspire our artwork, storytelling and discussions about life cycles, helping to nurture creativity and a love of reading.
Links to try at home
|
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds |
Reading - E-Library |
|
|
|
|
Go Noodle |
|
Maths Games
|
Maths Games |
Go Noodle |
Communication
Facebook Feed
Load More
