Reception
Dear Parent,
We are delighted to welcome you to our Infant School community at Clifton High School as your child joins our Reception Class. We strongly believe in the importance of working in partnership with parents to ease your child’s significant transition from a nursery or pre-school setting to our whole School environment. The assurance and commitment to offering an enriched learning programme, with a focus on individual growth and one that is based around a broad and creative curriculum, is at the forefront of a lifelong education at Clifton High School.
We take great care in ensuring that the new experiences your child will encounter, as they start our Reception Class at Clifton High School, are positive steps towards a new and exciting journey. Prior to children starting, we provide plenty of opportunities to support them emotionally as they build upon their curiosity and love of learning.
We pride ourselves on our exemplary teaching standards and resources that sit alongside our outstanding facilities, including child-focused classrooms, Swimming Pool, sports facilities, music room, outdoor environment, Gymnasium and Library. Our Reception Class children will be encouraged to discover their ‘individual brilliance’ as we challenge them in building upon future academic success but also on becoming confident, happy and motivated individuals through creativity and physical development, achieved both inside and outside the classroom, during and after School (through our co-curricular clubs).
We are extremely confident that your child will thrive in Reception Class and beyond, and we very much look forward to welcoming all our families in September.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Alice Taylor, Head of Infant and Juniors and Mrs Sarah Barker, Head of EYFS
PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR SCHOOL
A child’s ability to learn is paramount to their enjoyment and achievement during their School years. Evidence suggests that this ability to learn is more dependent on personal, rather than intellectual qualities. The personal qualities that enable a child to experience a good start to School are self-confidence, listening, curiosity, cooperation, sociability, independence and positive attitudes.
As parents, there are a number of things that can be achieved at home to help your child develop these qualities:
• Ensure that you are always positive when talking about School. If you are enthusiastic and confident then your child is likely to be too.
• Avoid negative associations with the School, e.g. “You’ll get into trouble at School if you behave like that.”
• Boost your child’s confidence by praising the things they do well and encouraging them to keep trying at the things they find more difficult.
• Avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your child with unrealistic targets, e.g. a child is not expected to be able to write his/her own name when they start School.
There are many useful skills you can practice at home to help your child become more independent and confident:
• Putting on his/her coat unaided, including fastening and hanging it on a peg.
• Changing into and out of School uniform, swimming costume/trunks and PE kit unaided.
• Taking shoes and trainers on and off, and fastening them unaided.
• Eating a small snack including opening all boxes and packages (note: please only provide healthy, non-messy food for snack times, that do not contain nuts).
• Eating a cooked meal using a knife, fork and spoon appropriately.
• Being fully toilet trained during the day, including wiping his/her own bottom.
• Controlling temper when frustrated.
• Taking turns in games.
• Sharing his/her toys with another child.
• Listening to other children who speak to him/ her.
• Separating from you and other carers without tears.
• Answering a question put to him/her by adults.
• Telling his/her name to another child or adult.
• Learning to be independent is very important and will foster confidence in your child.
SCHOOL INDUCTION PROCESS
Prior to your child entering Reception Class, the Admissions Team will inform you of a series of scheduled short induction sessions as well as welcoming you to an informative Parents’ Evening. These are wonderful opportunities to meet with Reception Class Teachers, familiarise yourself with the Reception classroom as well as socialise with other new parents.
THE FIRST DAY
It is incredibly helpful to talk your child through what will happen on their first day and be prepared the night before. Rest assured that our staff are experienced in welcoming nervous young learners so you can feel confident in leaving them to settle. Should there be prolonged tears, our caring staff members will contact you to put your mind at rest that they have settled.
Our intention is to build upon each child’s confidence so they learn independence in walking into School, to be welcomed by their teachers.
THE FIRST TERM
As teachers and parents, we should be fully aware and considerate to the fact that your child is absorbing a huge amount of information during the first few weeks of School life. We need to be understanding that they are coping with long days in a new environment, learning new routines, making friends, learning names, practising individual tasks, as well as embarking upon our School curriculum. We recommend that quality food choices and possibly, larger portions, together with earlier bedtimes can make all the difference in supporting their wellbeing.
BUDDIES
Our ‘Buddy System’ enables each child in the Infant and Junior School to be introduced to a buddy from an older year group. This affords a purposeful connection throughout the course of the year for these children to share reading books or activities. This simple community link is an integral element of Clifton High School life and, at the same time, grants children a sense of security and reassurance.
EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE
The benefits of small class sizes are at the forefront of Clifton High School’s education. Whilst Class Teachers are responsible for the dayto-day care of the children, they are assisted by invaluable Teaching Assistants. This enables an advantageous pupil to adult ratio that affords the insight into an individual’s talents and interests being realised and encouraged.
During the Reception Class year, children will follow the seven areas of learning to prepare them for the Year 1 curriculum.
1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development
2. Communication and Language
3. Physical Development
4. Expressive Arts and Design
5. Understanding of World Development
6. Mathematics
7. Literacy, including Reading and Writing
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Academic excellence is supported at Clifton High School through a range of co-curricular activities. We invite children to recognise their interests and strengths beyond the classroom to include Drama, Music and Sport. The Autumn Term culminates in all Reception to Year 2 children participating in a musical nativity play which they enthusiastically perform to family members in the Main School Hall.
WEEKLY ADVENTURE
‘Adventure’ is a highly successful outdoor learning programme. Devised around a carefully selected range of experiences and activities that connect with nature, children develop their seven areas of learning out of a traditional classroom setting. These may include making bird feeders from plastic bottles, collecting, and planting acorns and creating a hedgehog nest for children to eagerly monitor to see if anyone moves in! Every three weeks, children will also travel off-site on our School minibus, to explore the farm, the beach, the forest, the meadows and even partake in tobogganing. Further details will be sent to parents in advance of each session.
EDUCATIONAL VISITS AND OUTINGS
Excursions within the local area are designed to help Clifton High School children acquire a basic understanding of our traditions, the natural world and the importance of other cultures.
All trips will be scheduled on your child’s termly calendar with details being sent from the Main School Office.
DAILY ROUTINE
SCHOOL STARTS
School officially starts at 8.45am, although children are encouraged to arrive at least 10 minutes before this time to allow them to settle into the day.
Children who arrive after 8.50am are required to report to the School Office, via the entrance on College Road, to be registered before joining their class.
MORNING BREAK
Morning break is at 10.35am. Children should bring their own reuseable drinking water bottle and a small healthy, nut-free snack into School, on a daily basis. Suggestions include carrot batons, mini bread sticks, a satsuma, rice cake, cheese. Children will also be offered an optional glass of milk.
LUNCH
Lunch takes place from 11.50am–1.15pm where children collectively enjoy a healthy and varied meal cooked on the premises by our in-house Chef and catering team. We provide food of the highest quality which is freshly prepared using seasonal produce that encourages children to appreciate a balanced diet. Dessert is either fresh seasonal fruit or a traditional dish such as crumble, pie, milk-based pudding, flapjack, or cake. Weekly menus are made available to parents via our Parent Bulletin which is sent out each Friday.
SPECIAL DIETS
Parents of children who have special dietary requirements and have or develop allergies/ intolerances to any food product are required to notify the School by completing the Medical
Form which was provided in the offer pack. Our kitchen will endeavour to provide suitable meals for pupils using this information.
SCHOOL ENDS
School finishes at 3.30pm and we request that parents wait in the Infant Playground for the Class Teacher to hand over your child. Please note that children will only be released to those persons for whom written or verbal permission has been granted.
DROP OFF & PICK UP
School drop-off is at 8.30am and pick-up is at 3.30pm in the Infant playground. At morning drop-off your child will be welcomed by a School teacher and at afternoon pick-up, they will be dismissed by their own Class Teacher.
If an adult, other than a parent, is to collect your child, please email the Class Teacher in advance.
Please note that if you wish to drive to School, you are entitled to 30 minutes free parking with a ticket from the parking meters.
SAFETY
The safety of all children within the School grounds is of paramount importance to Clifton High School. It is our School policy that children do not go into or out of the School site without close supervision by staff. We also request that parents and carers ensure children in their care, are supervised at all times. For health reasons, dogs are not allowed within the School premises and the School and grounds are strictly ‘No Smoking’ zones.
All polices including our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies as well as the Safer Recruitment of Staff Policy, are available for parents to view in the ‘policy section’ of our website.
The Infant Playground outdoor facilities, available for the children’s learning and enjoyment can be used, under staff supervision, between 9.00am3.00pm. For safety reasons, we ask that children do not use these facilities before or after School.
WRAP AROUND CARE
BEFORE SCHOOL
Early Birds Club
Clifton High School opens at 8.00am, at which time we offer an Early Birds Club where children are welcomed and registered by Teaching Assistants. A variety of quiet, fun activities are available to engage children before School starts at 8.30am. They will then be taken to their classrooms to join their Class Teacher for the start of the School day.
No booking is required, however we do request that children are registered into the Early Birds Club by 8.20am. Children arriving after this time should wait in the playground with an adult to enter School at 8.30am.
AFTER SCHOOL
For full details, please refer to our Wrap Around Care booklet, linked here.
HOME AND SCHOOL LINKS
Effective communication is the key to a happy relationship between home and School life. Every effort is made by Clifton High School to keep you informed of your child’s development and activities. End-of-term reports, half termly class newsletters, Parents’ Evenings, and your child’s EYFS Profile also help to strengthen communication between home and School.
SCHOOL REPORTS & PARENTS’ EVENINGS
End-of-term written reports are sent to parents in December, April, and July to formally update you of your child’s progress. Twice-yearly Parents’ Evenings are held in the Autumn and Spring affording parents the opportunity to speak to the Class Teacher and view their child’s work. Both School reports and Parents’ Evening bookings are accessible through our Parent Portal. We also offer informal drop-in sessions during the School year as well as the Class Teacher and Teaching Assistants being available each morning and at the end of the day should parents wish to speak to them.
HOMEWORK
We feel it is essential that parents encourage daily reading and phonic work at home to support
Reception Class children with their homework. The ‘Supersonic Phonic Friends Parent Newsletter’ informs parents of the areas which are being focused on in class and we welcome children to bring in materials from home to support these class topics. From the start of Summer Term, spelling homework will also be given to children.
EYFS PROFILE
Throughout the School year, your child’s Early Years Foundation Stage Profile is completed by the Class Teacher. Parents are invited to discuss these at the end of the School year.
HANDWRITING
In Reception Class, children are taught to write in the style below, which is described as pre-cursive script. When they write at home we ask that you encourage them to use the same style.
Lower case letters: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n
p q r s t u v w x y z
Capital letters:
T U V W X Y Z
PARENT - TEACHER COMMUNICATION
TAPESTRY: ONLINE LEARNING JOURNAL
All children attending Clifton High Infant School have a personal Online Learning Journey. We use a UK based platform called ‘Tapestry’ which records photos, videos, observations and comments on secure servers. In line with the Early Years Foundation Stage, it enables us to build a record of your child’s experiences during their time with us which is securely shared with parents via an email address and issued password. In addition to viewing our in-School contributions, we encourage parents to enhance the journal by uploading photos and comments of their child’s experiences and development at home. This offers thoughtful starting points for discussions between your child and the Class Teacher.
What are the benefits to parents of having access to an online learning journal?
First and foremost, it promotes a strong partnership and open communication channels between Clifton High School and you, our parents. The Tapestry Programme means you will have immediate access to your child’s inSchool learning as well as allowing you to upload your own observations from home. Other family members, such as grandparents or older siblings who may have left home, are also able to access it using your individual login details. The programme is user-friendly, and an app is available to download on a smart phone. As all Tapestry accounts are managed by your child’s Class Teacher, please contact them directly should you require further guidance. A comprehensive guide to communications at Clifton High School can be found here.
UNIFORM
Clifton High School children are expected to dress smartly and appropriately at all times, aligned with our uniform code. Pupils are our ambassadors, and their dress is a direct reflection on the School. Having the correct uniform and sports kit also ensures pupils are prepared and ready for the variety of activities on offer every day at Clifton High School. Children in Reception Class are expected to wear full Clifton High School uniform and the appropriate Clifton High sportswear. We expect our pupils to take pride in their uniform and we are grateful to parents for ensuring that high standards are maintained.
The School has recently rebranded and with that comes a new uniform. From September 2025, this uniform is compulsory and the uniform policy and information pack will be communicated to parents in the Summer Term. All items are available to purchase from our provider: www.schoolblazer.com
LABELLING CLOTHES & EQUIPMENT
Please ensure all of your child’s items are clearly named. You may like to take into account that Schoolblazer provide a free and efficient name labelling service upon purchase.
Children are requested to take all their belongings home with them at the end of the day on Friday. This enables parents to check that their child has all the correct kit, wash it if necessary, and return any items belonging to other children. It is often the case that the wrong kit inadvertently slips into the wrong bag when changing from PE.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Clifton High School has a fully equipped First Aid Room where medical staff are able to treat minor ailments, cuts and bruises.
The School Medical Team and trained members of staff are qualified to administer First Aid at School. All staff dealing with First Aid for EYFS children hold a Paediatric First Aid Certificate.
Parents are required to complete and grant permission through a Medical Information Form for any medication to be administered to their child during School hours. A copy of this form has already been sent out in your offer pack, however, if this needs updating, please contact our Medical Team via medical@ cliftonhigh.co.uk.
In the event your child receives First Aid treatment during the School day you will receive either an email or a ‘bump’ note will be sent home with your child. Should more extensive medical treatment be required, the School will immediately contact parents.
ABSENCE
If it is necessary for a pupil to be absent from School due to illness, parents should either e-mail: absence@cliftonhigh.co.uk or telephone 0117 9730201 by 8.30am.
Similarly, absence from activities, PE, or playtime due to illness or injury should be accompanied by an email.
For the benefit and protection of all children, we ask that parents adhere to the following:
• Sickness and Diarrhoea – Children should not attend School at least 48 hours after their last episode.
• Chicken pox – Children should not be at School until at least five days from the appearance of the rash or until vesicles have crusted over.
• Measles – Children should not be at School until at least four days from the appearance of the rash.
• Mumps – Children should not be at School for five days after the onset of swelling.
• German Measles – Children should not be at School six days from the onset of the rash.
If a child is to be absent for any other reason than illness that extends beyond half a day, permission should be obtained in writing from Mr Luke Goodman, Deputy Head Pastoral: absence@ cliftonhigh.co.uk
THE SCHOOL COUNSELLOR
Our School Counsellor provides an invaluable support and counselling service that is integral in the pastoral care system for which Clifton High School is known. Whilst many children take growing up in their stride, others may find the changes more challenging, whether it be in their own physical or emotional development or due to the high expectations they face.
As domestic, personal or family problems can be cause for concern, our counsellor is fully qualified and experienced in supporting children through issues such as bereavement, family breakdown, depression and bullying. The service is completely confidential, and for appointments, which take place during the School day, parents should contact their child’s class teacher.
ANTI-BULLYING
Bullying is not tolerated at Clifton High School in any form and circumstance, as outlined in our Anti-Bullying Policy which can be found on our website. Pupils are consistently informed that any action designed to hurt or intimidate is considered bullying and will be dealt with swiftly.
SUN PROTECTION
During the summer months we encourage parents to apply a long-lasting, high factor sunscreen to their child before School and all children are expected to wear a sun hat/cap when outside in the sunshine. Parents may also send sunscreen in with their child, which the child can then apply themselves. Our guidelines are linked here.
THE CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION
Clifton High School’s dedicated Development Team manages the Clifton High School Foundation and Clifton Rosarians (Alumni). Throughout the School year, they arrange events for both pupils and parents, which contribute towards our sense of community and raise money to support School initiatives.
Through the Foundation, and thanks to the generosity of our School community, we have been able to support ambitious capital projects and fund life-changing bursaries and scholarships, which in turn have benefited thousands of pupils.
To find out more please visit www.CliftonHighFoundation.co.uk
CONTACT US
We understand that starting any school is a big step for children and their families. We hope that this Parents’ Information Guide will prove useful to you and your child for life at Clifton High School.
We look forward to welcoming your child and family to our community in September. If you have any questions prior to joining, please contact our Admissions Team on:
admissions@cliftonhigh.co.uk 0117 933 9087
For general enquiries, once your child has joined the School, please contact the School Office and a member of staff will be happy to assist: schooloffice@cliftonhigh.co.uk 0117 973 0201
Our website is full of useful information and we suggest you view the ‘Secure Parent Area’ of our website for term dates, useful information, parent communications, calendar, Parent Bulletin, clubs, fees, Parents’ Association and policies. The password will be shared with you at the start of the academic year: www.cliftonhigh.co.uk/our-parents
Reception Class Teachers should be your first port of call for anything personal to your child:
Miss Mulholland: CMulholland@cliftonhigh.co.uk
Mrs Andrews: DAndrews@cliftonhigh.co.uk
Teaching Assistant - Mrs Sophie Pullen
Teaching Assistant - Mr Alfie Light
As mentioned in earlier pages, other contact details to note are:
Notification of absence: absence@cliftonhigh.co.uk
Infant Hub: 07305 108044
