When your child attends Thornborough, their first year is in the Reception class.  The children follow the EYFS curriculum, where the learning is both adult led, with quality input, positive relationships and language rich conversations; and child initiated, though meaningful play, pupil voice and interests. The teaching and learning in our Early Years class is knowledge rich to ensure our children get the best start to their learning to fulfil their potential.

We embrace the following overarching principles as set out in the DfE statutory framework:

• Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured
• Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships
• Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.
• Importance of learning and development. Children develop and learn at different rates.

A typical day for a child in our Reception class consists of reading and a phonics activity, as well as Literacy and Numeracy input.  Children have the opportunity to flourish in their learning environment and dependent on our theme or topic, we set up and facilitate the classroom to enrich both adult and child lead activities.   Our children spend their day in the Willow Room, but also access the adjoining class, Oak Room, when appropriate.  The Willow classroom is a calm and spacious environment, where children feel safe and happy. Outside learning is as important as inside, and we have a large outdoor space for the children to explore and to embrace the natural world.

We are passionate about Early Years education and our children thrive at Thornborough.  Our teaching and learning in the Early Years equips each child with knowledge and enrichment that they carry with them ready for their next step into KS1.

Our children have the most wonderful start to their education through the EYFS curriculum.  They are enriched with activities and opportunities.