Reception
Our Reception class has a more formal feel and is located on the first floor of the castle. It benefits from two inter-linked classrooms with plenty of room for the children to spread out. Learning continues to balance both formal elements and play.
The classroom computer is used to build understanding of Information and Communication Technology and develop keyboard skills. 
Building concentration is a key feature of the Reception year and is a skill that will serve each child well as he/she progresses through school life. A different child becomes ‘class leader' each week and is asked to take responsibility for leading the class whenever it moves about the building, as well as returning the class register to the School Office each morning, a responsibility that is much prized! A small amount of homework is set. In practice, this consists of a little reading and other small tasks such as practising letter and word formation and spellings.
Children are encouraged to borrow (and return!) a library book each week. This seeks to build a love of books and reading as well as a sense of responsibility for loaned items. Children read with their class teacher individually every day. We encourage parents to listen to their child reading for a short period each day.
Group discussion on topics such as days of the week, weather, letters, numbers and news.
10.00 Free play session with a wide range of activities to choose from and explore.
10.30 Milk and snack time.
10.45 Outdoor play (weather permitting).
11.00 Literacy and numeracy skills and work on the current topic.
11.45 Singing, Drama, French or Assembly.
12.15 Children are accompanied to Austen Hall for lunch, followed by outdoor play.
13.45 Art and craft activities, or Music and Movement.
14.45 Playtime
15.00 Storytime or Music, instruments and movement.
15.45 Home Time
On leaving our Upper Nursery it is anticipated that each child will:
* have learnt to work with a degree of independence
* be able to recognise and form letters, and
* be proficent in handling numbers up to ten