Guide to Starting Reception Burhill Primary School

Welcome to

Burhill Primary School Guide to Starting Reception

Table of contents 3.

Headteacher’s Message

4.

Classes

5.

Transitions

6.

The EYFS curriculum

10.

Daily timetable

11.

My classroom & environment

17.

My school uniform

19.

People my child will meet

20.

If your child is absent

21.

Drop off and collection

22.

Healthy school

23.

Voluntary contributions

24.

Parent helpers

25.

Useful information

26.

Contact information

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Welcome to Reception

Headteacher’s Message Thank you for choosing our school and I am delighted to welcome you to Burhill Primary School. The staff and l look forward to working with you and your child throughout the exciting journey of their learning.

I know at this time, many of you are excited about your child starting school, and some may feel a little anxious.

This guide is designed with you in mind. It gives you the details you need for supporting your child with starting school.

I am confident, that by working together in partnership, your child will have a very successful and happy first year at Burhill Primary School.

Mrs Gemma Adams 3

Classes Your child will be allocated their class with an opportunity to meet their teacher in advance of joining Burhill.

Our Reception year consists of three classes: 

Cygnets



Ducklings



Goslings

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Transitions We aim to provide as smooth a transition as possible to our school. We do this by: 

A virtual tour of Reception

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A welcome meeting in the form of an online presentation to explain how Reception classes run

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Starting from the child, taking into account previous pre-school experience

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Using the ‘Get to Know Me’ document to plan activities that interest and motivate them during the first weeks of their learning journey here at Burhill

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Using a ‘Chatterbox’ as a first “Show and Tell’ of what and who is special to them

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Holding ‘Stay and Play’ sessions as well as home visits which support the transition from home to school

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Parent consultations in the autumn term to discuss how your child has settled

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The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum Our Reception curriculum builds upon what the children have learnt in our Nursery. The transition is very smooth and the majority of our children enter Reception classes with children they already know.

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Prime areas 1. Communication and Language We believe this is a fundamental life skill which is embedded in all aspects of school life. We aim to equip children to be able to express themselves creatively and imaginatively. We offer a rich language environment so children develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves and have the opportunity to speak and listen in a range of situations.

2. Personal, Social and Emotional Development This area involves helping children to: 

understand their feelings and those of others



develop a positive sense of self, set themselves simple goals and have confidences in their own abilities

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understand appropriate behaviour in groups and how to ask and wait for what they want

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learn how to look after their bodies, eat healthily and manage their personal needs independently

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develop confidence and resilience to become lifelong learners.

3. Physical Development Physical development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive and to develop their core strength, stability, balance, spatial awareness, co-ordination and agility. Gross and fine motor skills allow children to develop proficiency, control and confidence.

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Specific areas The prime areas are supported and strengthened by specific areas. These are: 

Literacy Literacy development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. The children in Nursery have daily phonics.

Children are given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems, and other written materials) to ignite their interest in books and reading. We use Letters and Sounds systematically across Nursery, Reception classes and into KS1.



Mathematics Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measure. It is important that children develop positive attitudes in mathematics, look for patterns and relationships, spot connections, ‘have a go’, talk to adults and peers about what they notice and not be afraid to make mistakes.

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Specific areas 

Understanding the World This area involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment. Enriching and widening children’s vocabulary will support later reading comprehension.



Expressive Arts and Design Expressive Arts and Design involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role- play, and design and technology.

The school considers the practical needs, interests and stage of development of each child in the EYFS, and uses this information to plan a challenging and enjoyable experience in all of the areas of learning and development. In planning and guiding children’s activities, staff reflect on the different ways that children learn and reflect these in practice with weekly planning meetings and interventions for those in need of additional support.

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My daily timetable

08:45-08:55

Drop off at classroom door

08:55-09:00

Registration

09:00-12:00

Teaching and learning time

12:00-1:00

Lunchtime

1:00-3:00

Teaching and learning time

3:00

Home time

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My classroom & environment

This is the door I will use to come into my classroom and leave from at the end of the day.

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This is where I will put my water and fruit.

This is the cloakroom where I will put my coat.

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I will learn in the classroom and role play with friends.

This is the book corner where I will be able to choose and read books.

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I will have lots of space outside to learn and play, both in the courtyard….

...and in the back yard.

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This is where I will sit to have carpet time.

This is the dining area where I will eat my lunch each day.

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I will have my own tray which is where I will keep my things safe.

This is where I will go to the bathroom.

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My school uniform White polo shirt from any retailer Burhill sweatshirt available from AlleyCatz Grey pinafore dress, skirt, trousers or shorts available from any retailer White or grey socks/red winter tights available from any retailer Sensible black school shoes available from any retailer Red and white checked school dress (worn in warmer weather only) available from any retailer Optional - Burhill fleece available at AlleyCatz - also available in showerproof version

Optional - Burhill cap - available from AlleyCatz Burhill book bag available from AlleyCatz (please note the Burhill rucksack is for children in Year 3 and upwards) Wellies (to be left in school)

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My school uniform Children will require the following PE kit: Burhill PE bag available from AlleyCatz Red Burhill PE t-shirt available from AlleyCatz Red PE shorts available from any retailer Optional - Plain black jogging bottoms (for colder weather) available from any retailer Trainers for outdoor PE (non-laced please until children can do their own laces) Bare feet for indoor PE The PTA (FoBS) will be selling good quality second hand uniform during the ‘induction’ sessions.

Jewellery is not allowed in school. Please do not have your child's ears pierced during term time. If they have earrings they should be small studs.

Parents should remove their child’s earrings before they come to school on PE days.

Please label all clothing clearly.

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People my child will meet 

Headteacher:

Mrs Gemma Adams



Deputy Headeacher:

Mrs Emily Webb



Inclusion Manager:

Mrs Shona Waller

(Mrs Waller supports children and parents with individual needs)



Administrative staff: Mrs Virginia Connor Mrs Jayne Duddy Mrs Genevieve Hewitson Mrs Kay Roberts

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If your child is absent Burhill Primary School has an efficient and secure system called Studybugs for reporting your child’s absence due to illness and to let us know about upcoming appointments.

Please get the free Studybugs app, or register on the Studybugs website, and use it to tell us whenever your child is ill and unable to attend school or has an appointment (e.g. doctors/ hospital etc.).

Get the app or register: https://studybugs.com/ about/parents Studybugs is integrated with our systems so we know right away if your child is unaccounted for.

It is quick and easy to register and use and automatically reminds you to keep us posted.

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Drop off and collection Please use the Reception Classes Entrance (brown gate) via the Main Entrance on New Berry Lane to drop off and collect your child.

What to do if you arrive at school after 8:55am If you arrive at school after 8:55am, either because you are running late or because you are bringing your child to school following an appointment, you will need to come into school through the main school office entrance in New Berry Lane.

Please sign your child in at the school office so that we know they have arrived in school. After 8:55am you will not be able to accompany your child to class and your child will be taken to their classroom by a member of the office staff as the school day will already have started.

Collection from school If a different adult (18 years or above) is collecting your child, you need to inform the school that day or inform the class teacher at the classroom door. If there is another adult picking your child up regularly, please complete the ‘Permission to Collect my Child’ form. If we have not met the adult before, providing a photograph is very useful.

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Healthy school Your child can bring in a healthy snack each day (fruit or vegetable only please); however, fruit and vegetable snacks are provided in Reception.

Please make sure they bring a named water bottle in everyday.

For birthdays, instead of buying sweets or plastic gifts, we suggest purchasing a book for the class library if your child would like to give a gift to their class.

Lunch PLEASE NOTE WE ARE A NUT AND SEED FREE SCHOOL All children are entitled to a free school meal from Reception, which is cooked freshly on our premises every day. Alternatively, you may wish your child to bring in a healthy packed lunch every day. Please contact the school office for further information on lunches.

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Voluntary contributions As a school we ask for a termly voluntary contribution towards any workshops, visitors and educational visits organised. The amount will vary, depending on the events organised which will be listed in the termly contributions letter.

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Parent helpers We welcome parents (or grandparents) to help in school as it can make such a difference to the children’s learning.

Parents help in so many ways, for example; taking children to the library, accompanying us on school visits, cooking, sewing, arts and crafts, gardening, painting sheds, hearing readers, sharing their expertise or assisting with administrative jobs. All help is gratefully received and parents always talk about how valuable they find these experiences, and the children love it too.

You need to be DBS checked before you can help.

Details of this can be found on our school website under the Online Disclosures and Barring page. DBS clearance can take a little while to come through so please apply early – once your child has started at school.

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Useful information  Report an absence: If your child is absent for any reason, including illness, please register this on the Studybugs app. https://studybugs.com/about/parents  Scopay: We use Scopay to make payments to school, for example termly contributions and school trips, etc. You will be given further details after your child starts: www.scopay.com  Book an appointment: Parent Evening and other bookings are also made on this system: www.scopay.com  Parents’ Document Library: We keep a library of parent communication and important documents on our website. Login details will be provided at the beginning of term. https://www.burhill.surrey.sch.uk/1208/parents-document-library  School uniform: Branded school uniform items can be purchased from Alleycatz. Please contact them for further information: https://www.alleycatz.co.uk/ Good quality second hand uniform can be purchased from our PTA, Friends of Burhill School  Breakfast and After School Club: Burhill provides an Breakfast and After School Club. There are waiting lists in place. For further information, please see our website or email reception@burhill.surrey.sch.uk.

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Contact information Welcome to the Burhill family!

Address:

Burhill Primary School New Berry Lane Hersham Walton on Thames Surrey KT12 4HQ

Telephone:

01932 225 836 (8:45am - 4:30pm)

School website:

www.burhill.surrey.sch.uk

Office email:

office@burhill.surrey.sch.uk

Headteacher:

head@burhill.surrey.sch.uk

Class teacher:

yearR@burhill.surrey.sch.uk

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