Welcome to the Reception Page
Providing an inclusive and nurturing learning environment where a high-quality curriculum, diverse enrichment opportunities, and personalised development empowers every child to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Reception at Fairfield Primary School is a vibrant, inclusive and nurturing environment where our children begin their exciting journey during their first year at school. Our Reception team focus on creating a welcoming space that encourages curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning through purposeful play and engaging activities. Through positive relationships with children, our dedicated team supports each child’s social, emotional, and academic development, helping them build strong foundations for future learning in a safe and stimulating setting.
Our Reception Unit comprises of two classes: Mrs. S. Johnston (EYFS Lead) teaches one class (called the 'Busy Bees') and Mrs. L. Crelin teaches the other class (called the 'Curious Cubs'). We have fantastic support from Mrs. K. Ritson, Mrs. E. Gallagher, Mrs. J. Austin and Mrs. L. Wood our Teaching Assistants.
Meet the Reception Team
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Mrs S Johnston
Reception Teacher
EYFS Lead
Mrs L Crelin
Reception Teacher
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Mrs E Gallagher
Reception Support
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Mrs L Wood
Reception Support
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Mrs K Ritson
Reception Support
Mrs J Austin
Reception Support
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum and classrooms are designed to give the children opportunities to learn new skills, acquire new knowledge and demonstrate their understanding of concepts and skills taught by an adult in a play-based activity. Our timetables are divided to give children the maximum time in provision; working alongside skilled staff to support, extend and challenge their thinking and development. Children in Reception have daily Phonics (Little Wandle), Literacy and Maths sessions. In addition, children also have weekly P.E, Music, Creative (Art) and Understanding the World sessions to provide a broad range of enriched learning experiences for the children.
In Reception, we explore a range of themes across the year through adult-led and child-initiated activities. Some of these are: Traditional Tales, Under the Sea, Journeys and Festivals! For more information on our curriculum themes and topics, please see our Reception Overview 2024-2025.
We provide an exciting and broad curriculum which lays the foundations for all future learning in Year 1 and beyond. Our curriculum is rich in stories and songs to support our spoken language and provides a love of reading through a range of themes, topics and hooks which inspire curiosity and wonder! Our curriculum is planned and sequenced to ensure all children build upon previous knowledge and are given the opportunity to thrive across all 7 areas of learning - leaving Reception with the knowledge and skills that are required in preparation for later learning.
Children are given activities and teaching to support their development in the prime areas as this underpinned all other future learning. These are:
- Communication and Language;
- Physical Development; and
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas:
- Literacy;
- Mathematics;
- Understanding the World; and
- Expressive Arts and Design.
Mystery Reader
To support the children’s love of reading and to develop home-school links, we invite parents, older siblings, grandparents, relatives, or other special people to surprise your child by being a ‘Mystery Reader' each week! The aim of mystery reader is to show children that adults love reading too. The children LOVE having their family, friends and relatives visit their class to share in their learning by reading a favourite story aloud to their class.
Reading is highly valued in our classrooms and inviting parents into our community of readers strengthens the home-school connection that is so important in helping the children grow as readers. If you, or someone in your family, would like to participate, please contact your child’s teacher on Class Dojo and we can arrange a suitable time.
Remember… Keep it ‘top secret’ until your big day arrives!
Rainbow Challenges
Reception love to find out what their rainbow challenges are going to be each week. The class teachers plan different challenges for around the unit, including in our outdoor classroom. These challenges cover all areas of the curriculum.
Once a challenge has been completed the children get to put the corresponding coloured stick into their very own pot and when all challenges are completed, the children are rewarded for ‘making their rainbow’.
If all the rainbow challenges are completed then additional gold challenges are available to extend the children’s learning further.
At the end of the week we celebrate the children’s successes and share personal reflections.