A Guide to Your Child’s First Year in School

Children usually start school during the academic year (September 1st to August 31st ) in which they turn Five. This first year in school is called the Reception Year but is also the final year of the Foundation Stage. The Government says that, “the emphasis at this stage should be on fun and learning through play. These children are very young! A great many skills can be learnt without any apparent lessons. For instance, using scissors and gluing pieces of card develops coordination”

The National Curriculum does not start until the beginning of  year 1, but the government has laid down Early Learning Goals that children should reach by the end of the Reception year (see page 2).

At this very young age, it is normal for children to develop at different speeds and to be further ahead in one area than another. The Early Learning Goals are designed to guide activities in schools and not to put these very young children under pressure.

At Glebe House School we support all of the above ideas and beliefs but at the same time we are more than aware that a number of children are in fact ready for that little bit more. The children do undertake specific lessons in literacy, numeracy, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, French, Music, PE, Swimming, PSHE and Art.   However, we ensure that these lessons are enjoyable and only take the children as far as they are capable; we do NOT put the children under unnecessary pressure. Our small classes and smooth transition from nursery (with visits by our Reception teacher prior to entry) enable us to get to know the children extremely well and we are able to cater for their needs both educationally and socially. We also work in close partnership with parents to ensure that they are kept in close touch with how their child is getting on.

The Early Learning Goals

Planning in Reception is based around the Early Learning Goals which cover six broad areas:

• personal, social and emotional development:
  this includes knowing the difference between right and wrong, sharing, being able to dress and undress, taking an interest in others and in a variety of activities and having the self-confidence to try new things.
• communication, language and literacy:
  children will be expected to talk clearly and confidently, to enjoy listening to stories, poems and songs, to repeat new sounds, name and sound the letters of the alphabet, write their own name and read some simple common words (and, look, up, I, you, go, etc.)
• mathematical development:
  count, understand and recognise numbers up to ten, understand terms like 'greater', 'smaller', 'heavier', 'lighter', be aware of shapes and space and start to understand the concepts of adding or taking away.
• knowledge and understanding of the world:
  children will be expected to show an interest in exploring their world, finding out about the past, about different cultures and about everyday technology and how it is used.
• physical development:
  children should be able to move about confidently and with reasonable coordination.
• creative development:
  children should use colours and shapes to make things, learn how to tell stories, sing simple songs from memory, make music and dance
  
  
  

The Foundation Stage Profile
At the end of the Reception year at Glebe House children will have completed the government's Foundation Stage of education and those who are ready have often covered much of the  Year 1 National Curriculum targets. There are no formal tests at this stage but we do undertake the PIPS baseline assessment on entry into the school and towards the end of the Reception year to gauge how the children have progressed throughout the year. 

What We Can Offer You and Your Child at Glebe House School:

·         Small Classes, Maximum 20 Pupils

·         Reception Class supported by Qualified teacher and Assistant Teacher.

·         Regular communication between home and school

·         Single year groups

·         The opportunity to develop at their own pace

·         very full curriculum whilst at the same time paying special attention to Literacy and Numeracy

·         Jolly Phonics programme in literacy

·         children significantly ahead of a large majority of their peer groups in some other settings by the end of the Reception year

·         Differentiated Teaching Practices

·         Seamless Education through to Thirteen Years for Boys and Girls

·         Support when choosing a Senior School for your child which best fits their needs and potential.

·         Sporting Opportunities for all with Extensive Playing Fields and 25 Metre Heated Indoor Swimming Pool

·         Performing Arts as Part of the Curriculum

·         French Taught from Reception

·         Members of staff who are all extremely dedicated and keen to ensure that the children are happy and motivated to learn at all times.

What Next?

If you are interested in Glebe House School for your child we would be delighted to meet with you again to show you around the Reception class and the Pre Prep Department. We are sure you would soon see that this is a truly happy place to be and that you would enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the safe, secure and supportive environment that is Glebe House.

Children are also most welcome to come along for a taster day so that they have an idea of what happens during a typical day at Glebe House. Once a place has been allocated we encourage you to bring your child along for one afternoon per week during the term prior to entry so that the transition into Reception is as smooth as possible.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Mrs Allison Skipper

(Head of Pre-Prep Department)