Oak Class – Reception

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.

Welcome to Term 6!

Oak Class Term 6 Wonderful World 2025_2026 MT P

We have a fantastic, busy term ahead filled with outdoor adventures, hands-on learning, and exciting trips. Here is a quick snapshot of what we will be exploring:

Knowledge of the world – We are taking our learning outdoors to study animals and habitats. The children will also explore world maps and create local maps of our school, village, St Julian’s Church, and Longleat.

Literacy – Through Drawing Club, we will explore Oliver’s Vegetables (linked to our trip to Wagamama), plus Dear Zoo and We’re Going on a Safari (linked to our trip to Longleat).

Mathematics – We are mastering adding two numbers (using facts and number lines), finding missing numbers to 20, and deepening our understanding of odd and even numbers, number bonds to 5 and 10, and telling the time.

Physical Development – We are practising Maypole dancing for our evening Duck Race performance, fine-tuning skills for Sports Day, and trying out archery and parachute games.

Expressive Arts – We are exploring collage through the style of artist Alma Thomas and creating a wildlife piece for our Bath in Bloom entry.

In RE, we are looking at Bible stories and making good choices. In PSHE, our theme is “Changing Me,” focusing on how our bodies grow and change.

This terms Core Value – Aspiration . We will be thinking about what it means to be aspirational at home, at school, and in the world. We are also focusing on resilience and the power of “Yet”—remembering that new challenges just take time and practice!

Celebrating Success – We love hearing about your child’s achievements outside of school! Please feel free to share any home successes with us so we can celebrate them in class.

Phonics, Literacy, and Maths

This term, we continue to teach Phonics using Little Wandle, Literacy through Drawing Club, and Maths using White Rose and NCETM. Our days are balanced between adult-led sessions and continuous provision. Alongside structured activities, children enjoy Explore Time, which allows them to follow their own individual interests.

In Term 6, we are focused on embedding previous learning and closing individual gaps. In Phonics, we are completing Phase 4. While there are no new sounds, we will focus on trickier consonant blends (such as scr, spl, st, pt) and put a big focus on reading and writing tricky words.

School Reading Books – All children have a school reading book matched to their teacher assessment and phonics level.

Handout Day: Wednesday
Return Day: Monday (essential for group rotation)

This book will be familiar to your child, as we will have already read it three times in school. They should be able to read it fluently, recognizing about 90% of the words without needing to sounding them out. This boost in fluency, speed, and accuracy reduces cognitive overload and greatly improves their reading comprehension.

Sharing Book – The second book your child will bring home is a sharing book. This is a book chosen entirely by your child to encourage a love of reading, and it can be changed at any time for you to enjoy together.

Reading Records – Please ensure you sign the purple home-school contact book/reading record each time you read with your child. Our expectation is for children to read daily, even if it is just for five minutes. Thank you for your continued support!

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 will be Monday and Wednesday. Please send your child to school wearing their PE kit.
All children require a water bottle in school everyday, as well as a hat and waterproof coat for showers.
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.
Contact books/reading records are required in school every day.
As the days get warmer , children need to apply sunscreen before school. They can bring in named sunscreen which will be stored safely within the classroom and reapplied at lunchtime if required.

Important Dates

Monday 1st June – First day of Term 6
Wednesday 3rd June – Wagamama Trip
Monday 8th June – Magic Box visit PM
Tuesday 9th June – New Reception 2026/7 Stay and Play
Wednesday 10th June – Sports Day
Wednesday 10th June – Mobile Library
Wednesday 17th June – BACK-UP Sports Day
Monday 22nd June – Longleat Trip
Wednesday 24th June – Mobile Library
Wednesday 24th June – New Reception 2026/27 Stay and Play
Thursday 2nd July – Move Up Day (tbc)
Friday 3rd July – Duck Race
Monday 6th July – Magic Box Visit (Poss AM tbc)
Monday 6th July – Oak Class Assembly PM
Wednesday 8th July – Mobile Library
Friday 10th July – End of Year Reports sent home (tbc)
Sunday 12th July – Wellow Village Show
Friday 17th July – Last day of Term 6

Home Learning

Here are a few ways in which you can support your child’s progress and confidence at home.

Regularly spend 5 mins on the Home learning phonics sheets
Read a share book or book of your child’s choice at bedtime or a quiet moment and chat about the story, characters, whether they liked the story or how the story could change.
Practice the new words in their class reading book , read a few pages, play games with the new words or chat about the text.
Doodle maths (logins are in the front of your child’s contact book).

Sometimes our home learning might include