Shirley Community Primary & Preschool

Learning for life

Nuffield Road, Chesterton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 1TF

01223 712252

office@shirley.cambs.sch.uk

Reception: Ladybirds & Dragonflies

Welcome to Reception!
 
The children in Reception will belong to Ladybird Class or Dragonflies Class. 
 

In reception we love to learn, play and explore. We love to be independent and curious learners as we progress at Shirley Primary School. We hope you enjoy finding out about what we do at school. 

We start our day with ‘Busy Fingers’ activities. The aim of this is to develop hand and arm muscles ready for writing and to focus on letter formation. The activities are interesting and fun and are often linked to a theme such as animals or under the sea.

Each day we have a phonics session in the morning. In reception we use 'Story Time Phonics'. This is a very fun and engaging way for us to learn our sounds which will enable us to read and write. Each week we are visited by special guests who bring us new sounds with a story, This week we met a chicken and went on an egg hunt to learn out 'ch' sound. We love learning our new sounds all we all get a chance to practice our reading and writing everyday. 

Forest School is very important to us at Shirley Primary School. Each week both reception classes visit the nature area on our school grounds. We love being outdoors! we put our wellies and waterproofs on and learn outdoors in all weathers. Pond dipping, bird food, digging, gardening and tree climbing are just a few of the activities we have tried so far this year.

In reception, we are always learning and exploring in our environment. We have focused learning time where the class teacher works with a group of children each day. We also have various challenges out in the classroom and outside area for our continuous provision, which we are able to access independently. These vary from writing to Maths as well as the small-world tray, roleplay area, reading corner, phonics table and creative station. We take into consideration the needs and interests of all children and have an inclusive ethos. We support each other and share each others successes. 

In Reception we follow our Golden Rules. These are: We are kind, We work hard, We listen, We look after our things, We are honest, We are gentle. When we follow our golden rules and make good choices, we get marbles. When our marble jar is full we have a 5 minute class treat with the teacher which we love! 

Classes and Teachers

Ladybirds - Miss Chowdhury
Dragonflies - Miss Burles
 
Support staff across Reception: Mrs Chambers, Miss Dennis, Ms Bougatef and Miss Morel