If you want your child to develop a love of learning, be comfortable stretching themselves, develop resilience and instil good work habits – you need a school that gets it right, right from the start… …Reception! 

At Brontë House, we have two Reception classes, each typically comprising of 12–16 pupils, with a Form Teacher and an experienced Early Years Teaching Assistant. All the children are known as individuals and are gently challenged to achieve their full potential – whatever that may be.  

At Brontё, we understand the importance of consistency for children of this age, so our Reception children spend the vast majority of their day with their Form Teacher, with specialist subject teaching limited to music, PE, swimming and Spanish. 

The first lesson of the day is at 8.30am and is always English. After an initial input by the teacher on the carpet, children will go off to access reading, writing and phonic activities in the classroom provision areas. Teachers and TAs will work on a 1:1 or small group basis with children on elements of their reading and writing.  

We follow the Pathways Literacy Curriculum for English, which separates reading and writing into discrete lessons and provides engaging texts as stimulus for each. The children love it! 

After a well-earned break and snack, we move on to Maths. After some time all together with the teacher on the carpet, children will undertake complementary activities in the provision areas and work in small focus groups with an adult.  

The White Rose Maths curriculum was a new venture for us in 2023 and is based on the Singapore Maths for Mastery approach. We are very pleased with the results!

The final lesson of the morning is Phonics. Children and teachers alike enjoy the Twinkl Phonics Programme and the accompanying Rhino Readers phonetically decodable books. New sounds are introduced to the children and they then embed these through regular reading practice at home and school.  

After phonics, it’s time to let off steam with lunch and some time playing outside. Our 2 bright and spacious Reception classrooms are based on the ground floor of the main school building. They offer a seamless transition into a brand new, bespoke, outdoor play area just for Reception children, including a sandpit, reading and music huts, a playhouse, adventure playground equipment and a mud kitchen. 

In the afternoon, teachers lead topic-based learning, which covers all other areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum; Science, Geography, History, Art, Design Technology and Religious Studies.  

We use the online Tapestry platform in Reception to compile an electronic journal of the children’s progress against the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Parents receive regular photographic evidence, matched to the Early Learning Goals, of their child’s achievement. It is our aim to ensure that all families have a clear understanding of their child’s progress and the next steps required in their learning. 

Parents also receive a formal report at the end of every term and there are 2 Parents’ Evenings each year. But most importantly, we have an open door policy – if parents have any concerns or queries, they are welcome to come and talk to us any point. 

What does all this mean? 

It means that, right from the start, Brontё children are offered a head start to a happy and successful school journey. They leave Reception as confident, positive and independent learners, eager for the challenges that await in Year 1! 

Whether you are beginning to explore your school options or already have Brontë House in mind, we would love to welcome you to one of our Discover Reception sessions on: 

Monday 7th December,
Friday 22nd January,
Monday 8th February. 

I am my unlocked potential. 

I am Grovian.