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 3rd November 2024 - Children will return to school
Monday10th November - Friday 14th November - Anti-Bullying Week
Monday 10th November - Odd Socks Day
Monday10th November - Friday 14th November - World Nursery Rhyme Week
Tuesday 11th November - Remembrance Day
Tuesday 11th November & Wednesday 12th November - Parents Evening
Friday 14th November - Children in Need
Sunday 16th November - 22nd November - Road Safety Week
Monday 1st December - Christmas Decoration Day
Wednesday 10th December - Reception Trip to Lawrence Batley Theatre
Thursday 11th December - Christmas Jumper Day
Thursday 11th December - Christmas Dinner
Wednesday 17th December - Reception Nativity
Thursday 18th December - Last Day of Term
Friday 19th December 2025 - INSET Day
Monday 5th January - Children will return to school for Spring 1
What will we be learning in Reception?
Topic Overview - Autumn 2
This half term our topic is “Helping Hands.” We will begin by sharing the beautiful story “Beautiful Hands” and exploring all the wonderful things our hands can do to help ourselves and others. The children will think about the different people who help us at home, at school and in the wider community. Through stories, role play and creative activities, we will learn about real-life superheroes — from doctors and firefighters to teachers and postal workers. We will also think about how we can all be helpers in our own special way.
Throughout the half term, the children will take part in a variety of exciting events and celebrations including Bonfire Night, Remembrance Day, World Nursery Rhyme Week, Anti-Bullying Week, Children in Need, a trip to the pantomime, and our Reception Nativity performance. These experiences will be woven into our learning across all areas of the curriculum, providing rich opportunities for creativity, discussion and reflection.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
This half term, we will continue to build strong friendships and learn how to work and play cooperatively. Through circle time and group discussions, we will talk about kindness and how we can use our “helping hands” to support others. We will think about how to look after ourselves, manage our emotions and develop independence in our routines. Children will also learn about keeping safe both in school and in the community.
Communication and Language
We will enjoy a range of key texts related to our topic, such as Beautiful Hands, Superworm and People Who Help Us stories. Children will be encouraged to share their ideas during class discussions, ask and answer questions, and use new vocabulary linked to helpers and community roles. Through storytelling, songs and role play, we will develop our confidence when speaking and listening in groups.
Physical Development
In PE, we will develop our coordination, balance and control through games and movement activities, learning how to move safely and confidently in different ways. In the classroom, we will strengthen our fine motor skills through cutting, threading, building and mark-making activities to support our handwriting and pencil control. We will also discuss how to keep our bodies strong and healthy.
Literacy
We will explore a variety of fiction and non-fiction books linked to our “Helping Hands” theme. Children will begin to read simple words and captions using their growing phonic knowledge. We will continue practising correct letter formation and writing simple labels, lists and captions linked to our topic — for example, writing about people who help us or making thank-you cards for local heroes.
Mathematics
In Maths, we will be deepening our understanding of numbers to 5. The children will explore how numbers are made up of smaller parts, compare quantities, recognise simple patterns and shapes, and use mathematical language in practical, hands-on activities linked to our “Helping Hands” topic. We will also use daily routines to reinforce our understanding of the days of the week, months of the year and the seasons.
Understanding the World
We will explore our local community and learn about the important people who help us every day. Through visits, stories and discussions, the children will find out about the roles of doctors, firefighters, police officers and other community helpers. We will also compare different types of homes and families, talk about our traditions and begin to understand how people live and work in different ways. As we prepare for Christmas, we will learn about the Nativity story and how people celebrate around the world.
Expressive Arts and Design
In art and design, we will experiment with different tools, textures and materials to create artwork linked to our “Helping Hands” theme. The children will enjoy making handprint art, designing superhero capes and creating thank-you cards for local heroes. We will also continue to express ourselves through music, singing and dance, especially as we prepare for our Reception Nativity and festive celebrations.
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:
Autumn 2 - Phase 2 Sounds
Previous Overviews:
Autumn 1 - Phase 2 Sounds
Support for Parents:
Literacy Core Texts for Autumn 2
Author of the Half Term
Our Author for Autumn 2 - Sue Hendra
Sue Hendra is a British author and illustrator best known for her bright, funny and imaginative picture books that young children love. Her stories are full of colourful characters, humour and adventure, making them perfect for early readers.
We will be exploring some of her much-loved stories including Supertato, Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell and Barry the Fish with Fingers.
These fun tales will help us think about friendship, helping others and using our own “superpowers” to make good choices.
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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