Oak Class – Reception

Oak Class – Reception at St Julian's Church School

In Oak class we enable our Reception children to thrive through play-based learning, outdoor exploration and challenging opportunities in preparation for life's adventures!

Welcome to Oak class!

In Oak class we believe that the classroom is the second teacher and that with carefully thought out planning and set-up, children become autonomous learners; the children are the leaders. It is then our job as practitioners to support them in their exploration. We also have a wonderful outdoor learning area so that pupils have the choice of whether they explore new concepts inside or outside. They can design and build elaborate bridges to walk across; explore under the sea creatures at the water tray; cook interesting meals in the mud kitchen; become pirates using costumes and props or create a piece of artwork.

Through play based activities and challenges we teach the Early Years Curriculum in a way that inspires and encourages our children to ask deeper questions as well as providing a learning journey full of nurturing and enriched opportunities. With the opening imminent of our new adventure area, we can’t wait to see their imaginations set free as they explore the larger and exciting area!

Over the academic year we will have a broad range of topics. These topics will be  planned, taking into account, the interest of the children and ensuring we create both a wide and diverse curriculum that engages and excites.

Term 2

Celebrations Oak Class Medium Term Plan ‘Celebrations’ Autumn 2 .docx

This term we are exploring different celebrations from a historic Bonfire night and Remembrance day , personal birthdays to religious celebrations of Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas to name a few!

In RE we will explore different faith festivals and celebrations and learn about the Christian meaning of Christmas.

Term 2’s core value is  – Resilience – What does resilience mean ? How are we resilient?

If you have photos of any celebrations your child has been part of , please feel free to add these to your childs ClassDojo  profile page . We will be able to talk about these in the afternoons.

With Christmas this term we will begin to practice for our Christmas Nativity. Please keep an eye out for school newsletters as they will inform you of the dates for our Nativity  and  Christmas Letters afternoon .You will be invited to come and join us and share in what has become two very memorable and happy occasions.

Reading for pleasure we will be exploring The Snowman (based on the Raymond Briggs story) and Santa Claude as well as a range of books through Drawing club and story times.

Phonics ,Reading, Writing and Maths

We will continue to teach  Phonics using Little Wandle , Literacy using Drawing Club and Maths using White Rose and NCETM with both adult led sessions and continuous provision. As well as the adult led activities children will also have Explore time which follows the individual interests of the children.

All children  have a school reading book which will be based on teacher assessment and phonics. Books will be  given out on the Wednesday and must be returned to school on the following Monday as they are often rotated between groups. This book will be familiar as we will have read the book three times in school before going home. They should be reading the book fluently, with 90% of the words being read without the need to segment. As a result of this increase in fluency, speed and accuracy, comprehension improves as cognitive overload is reduced.

The second book the children will bring home will be a ‘sharing book’. This is a book chosen by your child to encourage a love of reading and can be changed at any time.

Please ensure you sign the purple home-school contact book/reading record each time you read with your child. The expectation is to read daily even for five minutes.

Click here for the  overview of our phonics learning in EYFS and Year 1  

Click here for access to the Little Wandle Revised Letter and Sounds Parents Support 

Please note:

  • PE lessons are on Wednesdays. Please send your child to school wearing their PE kit.
  • All children require a water bottle in school everyday.
  • Children must have in school every day a spare pair of wellies for our outdoor classroom and paddock area as well as spare clothes in case they get wet.
  • It is important that children always have a waterproof coat  and wellies in school all term as we will be outside as much as possible in all weathers.
  • Contact books/reading records are required in school every day.

Reception 

It is really important that children spend some time at home each week consolidating their learning at school and it is helpful if they have a quiet space to do so. You can find a copy of our Home Learning Expectation on the policies section of our website. In our class the expectation is:

  • Weekly phonics to practice through practice reading book including a phonics folder. 
  • Daily reading or sharing of a book for pleasure.

Sometimes our home learning might include

  • Occasional themed work linked to learning at school 

Play Numbots

Play Doodle Maths

 

 

To contact Mrs Parker please use messaging on Class Dojo, purple contact book (if not urgent ) or on pick up or drop off if urgent.  

 

Class Teachers:

Mrs Parker (Full Time with Reception and Year 1 (Year 1 Mornings only)

Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA)

Miss Lyndsay (Every morning working between reception and Year 1)

Teaching Assistants

Mrs Tiley (Monday – Wednesday  all day)  Mrs Winchester  (AM every day) Mrs Ward (Thursday / Friday All day)   Mrs Kerton (1:1 AM every day)

 

 

 

 

 

Latest News

Beech class and Mrs Stepan have had great fun experimenting with our new wildlife camera. See below a still from one of the videos we captured this week. Can you spot the two animals exploring …

Read Article

An enormous thank you to our PTA for contributing towards the transport for our Theatre Trips this term to enable every child in the school to go on the trip for free. The children all …

Read Article

Thank you to all the parents, carers, family and friends who came to watch our Harvest Service last week. The children felt so proud to share their hard work and some of their favourite songs.

Read Article

© Copyright 2025 St Julians C of E Primary School | Privacy Policy