"Do everything in love” 1 Corinthians 16:14

Learning to love, loving to learn

Welcome to Reception

Spring Term 2026

Welcome back Reception and we wish you all a happy new year.

Mrs Whittall and Mrs Robertson are excited to welcome you back to St Mary’s. This term we have some exciting topics and experiences in store. We look forward to a fantastic term. The following information tells you a little more about the coming term in Reception.

General information

• Please tie up long hair.
• Please have a bottle of water at school everyday. This can be refilled as necessary.
• Reading diaries will be checked on a Friday. Please ensure your child has read at least 3 times.
• All school uniform should be named.
• A full PE kit should be in school at all times.

PE will be outside whenever possible so please account for this when sending in your child's PE kit.

 Our Aims

We offer a curriculum rich in wonder and memorable experiences. We provide a stimulating environment that provides exciting opportunities, promotes challenge, exploration, adventure and a real love of learning.
It is our intent that all children develop physically, verbally, cognitively and emotionally in an environment which values all cultures, communities and people. We aim for our children to be confident and independent, to believe in themselves and interact positively with others.
Play is an integral part of learning. A mix of adult directed and uninterrupted child-initiated play ensures the best outcomes for pupils.
Warm and positive relationships between staff and children, consistent routines and strong relationships with parents are key.

Our Christian Values

During the spring term, our Christian values are 'Respect' and 'Courage'.

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you., I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

 

Reading

This half term we will begin phase 3 of the Little Wandle scheme.

We will use the Little Wandle scheme of work for our Phonics lessons and to develop reading and spelling strategies. Our we daily routine will include phonics and reading sessions.

Your child will bring home a ‘Phonics Reader’ and a ‘Love of Reading’ book. Regular reading at home is essential and we ask that you read the ‘Phonics Reader’ book with your child, at least 3 times per week. We suggest that you question your child regularly about the book they are reading to develop a deeper understanding of a range of texts, to develop new vocabulary and to strengthen writing skills.

Our class books for this half-term include 'Let's All Creep Through Crocodile Creek.' and 'The Pirates Are Coming!'

                           

Writing

We will continue developing our fine motor skills in order to support our writing skills and pencil control. We will continue to utilise our phonics skills to write simple CVC words and captions and continue to focus on our letter formation.

 

Maths

As mathematicians, the children will learn through concrete experiences moving onto pictorial and abstract methods as their confidence builds. They will also be expected to use their learning to reason about maths and solve problems. 

During the spring term pupils will build on previous learning and  further develop their subitising and counting skills. Pupils will explore, compare, compose and represent numbers upto 10. They will
begin to identify when two sets are equal or unequal and connect two equal groups to doubles. They will begin to connect quantities to numerals and look at simple addition and subtration skills. We will continue to look at shape, space and measure including exploring capacity and comparing the height and length of things and studying 3D shapes.

 

Understanding of the World

 

The Natural World 

Exploring everyday materials using our senses. 
Observing and discussing the characteristics of winter and exploring the changes we see as winter evolves into spring. 
Exploring ice melting/freezing 
Looking at and drawing information from simple maps. 
Investigating 
Discussing hibernation and nocturnal animals 
Learning about forces - pushes and pulls and how things work. 
Introducing Life cycles 
Finding out about landmarks in other area e.g) London 
Making and plotting simple maps 

Past and Present 
Comparing characters from stories including figures from the past. 
Investigating how things grow/evolve over time 

Technology 
Continuing to use computers and iPads to complete simple programs and access the internet to find out information. Thinking about and discussing how technology is used daily in the home - washing machines, cookers etc. We will help the children to identify and deal with potential Online Bullying and Managing Online Information.

 

 

RE

For RE we will use the Questful RE planning. 

This term we will explore the Easter story, and look at places where people from different cultures and religions worship.

 

Justice and Responsibility

As we continue to live our lives and act out the teachings of Jesus, we will continue to focus on justice and responsibility and will challenge big questions.

PE

Our PE will continue to develop fundamental skills. We will take part in the following topics:

Fun Games with Friends (Outdoor Adventure)
Dance Fictional Characters – Julia Donaldson
Bats and Balls at the Circus (Net Games)
Gymnastics – Stretching Shapes

 

Art and DT

Using a wide range of construction materials and tools and encouraging an appropriate selection of resources and techniques.
Creating things with moving parts
Using junk modelling to create landmarks
Expressing ourselves through dance, music and role-play.
Further improving our scissor skills to cut intricately.
Using paint and other media to make more detailed art work.
Using different media to make papier mache models.

As artists, we will be influenced by the work of famous artists to inspire our creativity.

                                  

PSHE

In PSHE, we will follow the Heartsmart scheme and introducing the Heartsmart principles of 'Too much Selfie Isn't Healthy' and 'Don't Rub it in, Rub it Out'. We will be guided by Boris, the Heartsmart mascot and learning about the importance of loving ourselves and thinking of others.

Music

As musicians, we will be using Charanga to explore different music genres and new terminology. We will be using instruments to express ideas and feelings and developing understanding of pulse and rhythm

We will also be learning lots of new songs and rhymes .

 

Visits

Local area walk and trip to the library

 

 

Here are some links and videos to support your child's learning .