Reception - Curriculum Information for the Spring term 2025

This first half term we will be learning all about Antarctica and the Arctic, with a focus on penguins and their habitat. The children will be using The Blue Penguin, by Petr Horacek, as a key text to inspire their writing and self-directed play.

We will also be looking at celebrations and traditions including Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day before half term.

After half term, we will be reading the wonderful Bog Baby by Jeanne Willis. We will also be working on collages of the bog baby using a variety of materials. 

Reading

Please do continue to encourage your child’s reading at home – reading their book on multiple occasions each week to increase fluency. We change books every Friday if your child’s yellow reading record has been signed and the book returned.

We will continue to read stories to the children every day, to develop a reading for pleasure culture – please continue to share story books at home as it is a fantastic way to develop vocabulary and understanding. We send home a library book every Friday for those who return them.

Maths

This term we will be looking at composition of numbers to 10 – with addition and subtraction facts as the key focus. This includes building rapid fluency in knowing number facts for each of the numbers 5-10.

Continuing to play board games at home is a fantastic way to build numeracy skills and jigsaws are a fantastic special awareness tool.

PE – physical

We have started the term with our Gymnastics unit of work – with balances, methods of travelling and core skills to be developed over the term. We will follow this with exploring dance and enjoying movement and music.

The children will continue to work on fine motor skills, particularly with handwriting development over the term (letter formation and size).

Understanding the World

Each week we continue to cover PSHE and RE topics including Dreams & Goals in PSHE and Celebrations from different religions in RE.

We will be looking at comparing contrasting environments through our work on Antarctica and animals which live in the North and South Pole. We will also be exploring the concept of freezing and melting.

Visits and visitors

We are really excited to be heading to Birdland for our first trip of the year – this will really help develop the children’s understanding of animals and their habitats (as well as dinosaurs – which is a Birdland bonus!)

We are also planning to visit the Cheltenham Library this year.

We will be asking for parents who would like to share their jobs in the Summer Term when we celebrate people who help us.

As ever, please do get in touch if you have any questions regarding your child’s learning so we can work together to ensure your child is thriving. We love seeing their learning and special moments from home on Tapestry, so please feel free to send these through.

Many thanks, 

2025 Reception Team

RU- Miss Underwood, Mrs Hall, Mrs Forster (mornings) and Mrs Calder

RR- Miss Richards, Mrs Musto and Mrs Van der Velde

PPA teachers:

RU- Mrs Flood (PPA teacher Wed PM)

RR- Mrs Van der Velde (PPA teacher Wed PM) and Mrs Perrett (Teaching partner)

Lions at Large

10 Apr 2025

Our final design has been created by school Mum, Noush Duroe-Richards, Thank you Noush!

Supporting the Little Princess Trust

04 Apr 2025

Flossie Masters, a thoughtful and compassionate Year 5 pupil, has selflessly cut 11 inches off her hair to support the Little Princess Trust....

Dunalley Pantry

02 Apr 2025

We would like to remind our families about Dunalley Pantry.
Set up to help families who are struggling with the cost of living crisis.

Lions at Large - Cub Lion Design

31 Mar 2025

Our final design has been created by school Mum, Noush Duroe-Richards by  amalgamating our favourite entries and the themes that arose throughout...

Winter Coats - Does your child need one?

03 Jan 2025

We have warm, winter coats for children of families struggling with the cost of living.
Please contact us for more details.

Celebrating Exceptional Learners

20 Dec 2024

We have enjoyed celebrating children from across the school who have consistently demonstrated outstanding behaviour and attitudes to learning. 

Positive Play Partners

06 Dec 2024

Our PPP children are relishing supporting our OPAL play initiative, ensuring children have role models to help resolve issues and have happy...

Coffee, Cake, Cheese & Wine - Thank you

18 Nov 2024

Thank you for joining us to discuss the work of Jonathan Haidt and his book The Anxious Generation, more information can be found HERE.

Donations for OPAL

25 Oct 2024

If you are thinking of having a pre-Christmas sort out please keep OPAL in mind for the usual donations.

OPAL Stay & Play

27 Sep 2024

We would like to invite all of our families to join us for an OPAL Stay & Play on Saturday 5th October from 10am - 12pm.