Curriculum in the Early Years Foundation Stage at Westminster
SLT link: Debbie Elliott Phase Lead: Rebecca Dugdale
Our Teachers
We have a wonderful team of teachers dedicated to supporting your child's learning journey:
- Mrs. Riches: RP Classroom Teacher
- Mrs. Barr: RW Classroom Teacher on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Mr. Memory: RW on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
- Miss Baldwin: Higher Level Teaching Assistant
- Miss Howard: Level 3 Teaching Assistant
- Miss Staff: Teaching Assistant
- Miss Pittaway: Specialist Learning Support Assistant
- Mrs Hill: Level 1 Teaching Assistant
The Reception Curriculum
In Reception, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory curriculum. This framework guides children toward the Early Learning Goals they are expected to achieve by the end of the year. Our planning is flexible and child-led, built around the interests and curiosities of the children in the class. We start with a baseline assessment for all children to help us understand their current skills and plan their next steps effectively. We use a play-based approach to encourage children to be resilient, take risks, and embrace new challenges.
Children will have continuous access to both the indoor and outdoor environments, allowing them to freely choose activities that interest them. They will participate in a mix of whole-class, small-group, and one-on-one activities, all designed to support their individual growth.
Phonics and Reading
Read Write Inc. (RWI) is a systematic synthetic phonics program designed to teach children to read and write. The program works by introducing children to 44 common sounds in the English language and their corresponding letters or letter groups, which are called "Special Friends" (e.g., sh, ch, th). Children learn to "sound out" or "Fred Talk" words by saying the individual sounds and then blending them together to read the whole word. The program emphasises a structured approach, with daily lessons and reading books that are carefully matched to the sounds a child has learned, helping them build confidence and fluency early on.
Communication with Parents
We believe in a strong partnership between home and school. We have an open-door policy and encourage you to speak with us if you have any questions or concerns. We will also provide updates on your child's progress and school events through our communication platform ClassDojo.
Key Notes
- PE Day: PE day is on Tuesday. For safety, long hair should be tied back and all jewellery must be removed.
The Curiosity Approach at Westminster Primary Academy
In our Reception classes, we're excited to announce that we are working toward becoming a 'Curiosity Approach' accredited setting. This educational approach focuses on promoting a sense of "awe and wonder" in learning. It encourages our staff to become reflective practitioners and to plan through the eyes of the child. This allows children to explore a diverse range of resources and activities, many of which they may not have encountered before.
At Westminster Primary Academy, we believe that children are born with a natural curiosity. They have an innate desire to discover, explore, and be active participants in their own learning. Our goal is to inspire, nurture, and create an open-ended love of learning. We strive to support all children in a safe, secure, and child-centered environment where they can take pride in every one of their achievements.
For more information on The Curiosity Approach, please click the link below: https://www.thecuriosityapproach.com/parents
Reception Curriculum Overview Autumn 1 2025
Please click through the pages to see all of the information shared by the team
(Please note that this may vary due to the developing interests of the children)
Reception Information Booklet 2025
Useful Websites / Reading
Bug Club (Reading) - Personal login given
Top Marks - https://www.topmarks.co.uk/
Please click here for a link to the 'Development Matters in the EYFS' document.
Suggested books for your child