"Do everything in love” 1 Corinthians 16:14

Learning to love, loving to learn

Welcome to Reception

 

Autumn Term 2026

Welcome back Reception!

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.

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 summer Term, our Christian values are Love and Courage

 

 

Reading

This half term we will begin phase 2 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 'Peace at Last' and 'The Three Little Pigs.'

                            

Writing

We will be encouraging children to give meaning to their mark making. We will focus on developing our fine motor skills in order to prepare our hands for writing. Children will begin to learn to write their name and how to form the letters correctly. We will use our phonics to begin to write simple CVC words and then will move onto simple captions.

 

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 autumn term pupils will build on previous experiences of number from their home and nursery environments, and further develop their subitising and counting skills.

They will explore patterns and the composition of numbers within 5. They will begin to compare sets of objects and use the language of comparison.

 

Understanding of the World

People Culture and Communities

Looking at how people celebrate and gather together.

Exploring how other cultures celebrate traditions e.g. Lunar New Year. Looking at diversity, how we are all different and learning how to treat each other with respect.

Looking at people in the community and the jobs they do. Talking about the jobs that they might like to do when they are older.

 

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.

 Helping the childre

Natural world

We will be exploring the natural world by:

Exploring materials, looking at similarities and differences and natural and man-made. Thinking about how seasons and climates change and how this influences lifestyles.
In particular, we will look at autumn and explore its characteristics.
Observing and researching different animals/insects
Exploring our local area and landmarks

Past and Present

We will be exploring the past and present day by:

Ordering daily routines / events
Visual timetables
Story maps
Exploring historic stories
Considering how people evolve from a baby to an adult.
Exploring our family Exploring some familiar events from the past e.g. Bonfire Night

 

RE

For RE we will use the Questful RE planning. 

We will explore the creation story, and the story of the first Christmas. We will also look at how people from other cultures and religions celebrate.

 

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 concentrate on fundamental skills. Bean Bag Skills (Invasion)
Ball skills at the Zoo (Invasion) . we will also work on our balance in our gymnastic sessions.

 

Art and DT

As artists, we will be influenced by the work of Vincent Van Gogh and Andy Goldsworthy and produce our own self portraits and use things we find in nature to create artwork.

                                  

PSHE

In PSHE, we will follow the Heartsmart scheme and introducing the Heartsmart principles of 'Get Heartsmart' and  'Don't Forget to Let Love in!'  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 also be learning lots of new songs and rhymes and preparing for our Harvesty Festival, Christingle and our Christmas Nativity performance.

 

Visits

Local area walk, St Mary's Church and Halton Castle. We will also have a few surprise visitors around the festive period. I wonder who they may be?

 

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