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Reception - Lion Class

In Reception, we follow the curriculum set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage, which covers all areas of children’s learning and development from birth to five years old.  The EYFS divides the curriculum into seven areas of learning and development – the ‘prime areas’, Communication and language, Physical development, and Personal, social and emotional development, and the ‘specific areas’, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the world and Expressive arts and design. These lead to 17 Early Learning Goals, which summarise the knowledge, skills and understanding that children should gain by the end of the Reception year. As well as what children learn, the EYFS curriculum sets out how children learn, the ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning’. So we encourage good attitudes to learning, like curiosity, willingness to ‘have a go’, determination, persistence, and concentration, in everything we do.
We provide a balance between adult-led and child initiated experiences. Children are supported in their development through play and exploration opportunities, short carpet sessions, and adult guided work.


We  have a large, well-equipped outside area, with many exciting learning opportunities, including a builders' site, a play house and a mud kitchen.The environment and activities inside and outside are carefully planned to promote learning, so while it may look as though the children are ‘just playing’, actually they are learning all the time.
The classrooms and outdoor space are organised so that children can access most resources by themselves, and they can extend their own learning independently. These are called ‘enabling environments’. We follow children’s interests and provide ‘hands on’ experiences to engage the children. Our resources are ‘open ended’, and can be used flexibly so that the children are not restricted and can follow their interests and ideas creatively.  Our timetable allows for long periods of ‘free flow’ independent play, inside and outside, which enables children to become deeply involved in their learning.


An important part of teaching in Reception is through ‘interactions’. Adults observe the children closely as they play, and join in at appropriate times to support them and move their learning on, extending their language and thinking, and helping to develop their skills. We support the ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning’, for example, encouraging children to keep going though difficulties, and to be creative and follow their own ideas.  Our aim is that the children leave Reception as confident, independent learners, ready for the challenges of Year 1 and beyond.

Atlas Lions' Eyes Burn Brightly, but Their Future May Be Dark - New Lines  Magazine

Get in touch

Sissinghurst (VA) Church of England
Primary School
Common Road
Cranbrook
Kent
TN17 2BH

01580 713895