Yew Tree Community School

Reception 

At Yew Tree Community school, we have three Reception classes. The children have daily phonics, maths and literacy lessons which follows the EYFS framework guidance. They then have opportunities to access the wider curriculum by looking at RE, expressive arts and Understanding of the world, which all link to the specific themes of the half term. This allows the children's interests to flow through the provision as it all connects. The children also have access to an outdoor classroom. In this area, the children explore outdoor learning with direct links to all of the prime areas and  specific areas of the EYFS curriculum.  The children also have access to The Rainbow Room. In this room, the children have further opportunities to build on the prime areas with a greater focus on art, DT, music and role play activities linked to the topics for that half term. 

Literacy

At Yew Tree Community School, we have developed our own literacy curriculum based on the EYFS framework. Each half term has a key theme with high quality texts linked to each theme. The children will then frequently revisit this text across the year. It is crucial for children to develop a life-long love of reading. At Yew Tree, we follow the Little Wandle phonics scheme to support the children with their reading skills.  

We model the application of the alphabetic code through phonics in shared reading and writing, both inside and outside of the phonics lesson and across the curriculum. We have a strong focus on language development for our children because we know that speaking and listening are crucial skills for reading and writing in all subjects. This enables the children to become fluent and confident readers. We teach phonics for up to 25 minutes a day. In Reception, we build from 10-minute lessons, with additional daily oral blending games, to the full-length lesson as quickly as possible. Each Friday, we review the week’s teaching to help children become fluent readers. Children make a strong start in Reception: teaching begins in Week 2 of the Autumn term. Children in Reception are taught to read and spell words using Phase 2 and 3 GPCs and words with adjacent consonants (Phase 4) with fluency and accuracy. 

Maths

At Yew Tree Community school, we follow White Rose Maths. This is a scheme that we use throughout the school. As they learn about numbers, counting, problem solving, pattern, shape and spatial reasoning through fun games and activities, children develop positive attitudes towards maths and an enthusiasm for learning. They will then continue with this scheme in KS1 & KS2.

Please read our curriculum overview that outlines what your children will be learning in Reception. 

Please read our knowledge mats that outline what your children will be learning in each half term.