Most importantly...

Reception is a year for amazing discoveries, exciting academic developments and new challenges! Before children can engage with all the opportunities presented to them, they need to feel happy, safe and connected with those adults around them.

Every day on arrival, the children engage in a wellestablished routine. They are greeted by their teachers and sign themselves in, adding their face to the feelings board, showing what their mood is today. A useful learning task, this is also important for staff to know so they can keep an extra eye out on an unsettled or tired child.

All staff strive to create connections with the children as quickly as possible. Mrs Gisbey and Mrs Witthuhn welcome the children each morning. One or the other of them is with the pupils throughout the day, even when they have their specialist teaching. We want them to know that they have lots of key people they can rely on and connect with. Happy and secure children learn best.

After the first few weeks, pupils will learn about our safety circles. They choose three key adults that they feel that they could turn to if they ever have a worry or just need a bit of reassurance.

Mrs Macfarlane is our School Nurse & Mental Health Lead. She is always around to support the children, from greeting them at morning dropoff to supporting positive relationships at playtime.