New Reception
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Reception SEPT 2026
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Ashdon Primary School
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Early Years Foundation Stage
Early Years Foundation Stage Lead - Mrs Reynolds
CHALLENGE - What we teach in EYFS:
In Mars Class, we deliver a rich, ambitious curriculum based on the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework, carefully designed to meet the needs of our Reception children.
Prime Areas of Learning
We prioritise the prime areas as the essential foundations for all future learning:
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Communication and Language
We create a language-rich environment where children engage in rich conversations throughout the day. Through story time, role play, weekend diaries, and back-and-forth interactions with adults, children develop the vocabulary and communication skills essential for success across all areas of learning.
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Physical Development
As our PE Lead, Mrs Reynolds ensures children develop strong gross and fine motor skills through forest school activities, PE sessions, outdoor play, and carefully planned fine motor tasks. We understand that physical development underpins all learning, particularly early writing.
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Through My Happy Mind, supportive relationships with our key person, and daily opportunities to play and work cooperatively, children learn to regulate their emotions, build resilience, form friendships, and develop a positive sense of self.
Specific Areas of Learning
Building upon the prime areas, we teach:
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Literacy
Our systematic Monster Phonics programme teaches children to read and write. Handwriting is taught alongside phonics, ensuring children make strong connections between sounds, letters and writing. Daily story time, poetry, and access to our library bus foster a love of reading and develop comprehension skills.
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Mathematics
We build deep understanding of numbers to 10, exploring number bonds, patterns, and relationships through practical activities, manipulatives, and problem-solving. We provide rich opportunities for spatial reasoning across shape, space and measures.
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Understanding the World
Through our Safari sessions (forest school), community partnerships, visits from local clergy, hands-on experiences like hatching chicks, and exposure to diverse stories and non-fiction, children make sense of their physical world, community, and the wider world beyond Ashdon.
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Expressive Arts and Design
Children explore a wide range of media and materials, engage with music and songs, and develop their imagination through role play, storytelling, and creative activities.
Our Curriculum Drivers
Everything we teach is shaped by our four key drivers:
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Exposure, Opportunities and Aspirations – broadening horizons and igniting curiosity
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Reading and Oracy – developing strong communication and comprehension skills
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Physical Development – building the foundations for confident movement and early writing
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Resilience and Respect – fostering the characteristics of effective learning
CARE - How we teach in EYFS:
In Mars Class, we deliver our curriculum through warm, responsive relationships and enabling environments that nurture every child as an individual.
Our Teaching Approach
We embrace a balanced approach to teaching and learning:
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Child-initiated play
Children lead their own learning, exploring their interests and developing independence, creativity and problem-solving skills.
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Adult-guided learning
We observe children carefully, responding to their interests and guiding their learning through skilled interactions, questioning and modelling.
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Direct teaching
As children progress through Reception, we increasingly teach essential skills and knowledge explicitly, particularly in phonics, mathematics, and writing, preparing them for Year 1.
The Characteristics of Effective Learning
We support children to become effective learners by:
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Playing and exploring – encouraging children to investigate, experience things, and have a go
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Active learning – helping children concentrate, persist when facing difficulties, and enjoy achievements
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Creating and thinking critically – supporting children to develop their own ideas, make links, and develop strategies
Knowing Every Child
Our small school enables us to know every child exceptionally well. Each child has a key person who:
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Builds a warm, secure relationship with the child and their family
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Understands the child's individual interests, strengths and needs
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Tailors learning to the child's starting points
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Ensures the child feels safe, valued and confident to take on challenges
Enabling Environments
We create environments where children thrive:
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Outstanding outdoor learning
Our school grounds and surrounding countryside provide exceptional learning environments. Safari sessions, forest school activities, and daily outdoor play connect children with nature, support physical development, and provide meaningful contexts for learning across all areas.
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Language-rich indoor spaces
Our classroom is carefully organised to promote independence, encourage conversation, and provide access to high-quality resources that support learning across all seven areas.
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Routines that support learning
Consistent routines help children feel secure and develop self-regulation, whilst flexible planning allows us to respond to children's interests and needs.
Partnership with Families
We recognise that parents and carers are children's first and most important educators:
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Weekend diaries provide opportunities for children to share home experiences, strengthening the home-school link
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Regular communication keeps families informed about their child's learning
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We work in partnership with families to support children's development, particularly when additional support is needed
Supporting All Learners
We are committed to inclusion and meeting the needs of all children:
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Children with SEND receive personalised support, with our SENCO ensuring appropriate interventions and adaptations
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Pupil premium children benefit from targeted support and enrichment opportunities
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Children learning English as an additional language are supported to develop both their home language and English
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High achievers are challenged and extended to reach their full potential
Assessment that Informs Teaching
Our ongoing formative assessment is integral to our teaching:
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We observe children daily, using our knowledge to shape learning experiences
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We complete the progress check at age two and the EYFSP at the end of Reception
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Assessment informs planning, ensuring every child makes excellent progress from their unique starting point
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We avoid excessive paperwork, focusing our time on interacting with children
Safeguarding and Welfare
Care means keeping children safe and promoting their wellbeing:
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Rigorous safeguarding procedures ensure every child is protected
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Our key person approach ensures every child has a trusted adult
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We promote good health through nutritious food, safer eating practices, physical activity, and teaching about healthy choices
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We support children to understand and manage their behaviour, emotions, and relationships
CELEBRATE - What the pupils have learnt in EYFS:
By the end of their time in EYFS at Ashdon Primary School, our children have developed the knowledge, skills, attitudes and characteristics that enable them to flourish in Year 1 and beyond.
Achievement in the Prime Areas
Communication and Language
Children leave EYFS as confident communicators who:
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Listen attentively and respond with relevant questions and comments
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Hold conversations, taking turns and building on what others say
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Express their ideas and feelings using full sentences
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Use rich vocabulary acquired through stories, conversations, and experiences
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Ask questions to clarify their understanding and extend their learning
Physical Development
Children leave EYFS as physically confident individuals who:
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Move energetically and competently – running, jumping, climbing, hopping, and skipping
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Negotiate space and obstacles safely with consideration for others
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Demonstrate strength, balance and coordination
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Hold a pencil effectively using the tripod grip, ready for fluent writing
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Use a range of small tools with increasing accuracy and care
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Understand the importance of physical activity and healthy food choices
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Children leave EYFS as resilient, respectful individuals who:
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Show understanding of their own feelings and those of others
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Regulate their behaviour and emotions appropriately
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Set and work towards simple goals, showing perseverance
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Show confidence to try new activities and face challenges
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Work and play cooperatively, taking turns and resolving conflicts
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Form positive relationships with adults and friendships with peers
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Demonstrate independence in self-care and personal needs
Achievement in the Specific Areas
Literacy
Children leave EYFS as readers and writers who:
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Read words and simple sentences consistent with their phonic knowledge
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Demonstrate understanding of stories and texts through retelling and discussion
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Use newly introduced vocabulary in their play and conversations
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Write recognisable, correctly formed letters
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Spell words by identifying and representing sounds
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Write simple phrases and sentences that can be read by others
Mathematics
Children leave EYFS as mathematical thinkers who:
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Have a deep understanding of numbers to 10, including composition
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Automatically recall number bonds to 5 and some bonds to 10
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Subitise quantities up to 5
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Count beyond 20, recognising patterns in the counting system
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Compare quantities and use mathematical language with confidence
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Explore and represent patterns, including evens, odds and doubles
Understanding the World
Children leave EYFS with:
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Knowledge of their immediate environment and the natural world around them
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Understanding of similarities and differences between past and present
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Awareness of different religious and cultural communities
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Knowledge of important processes and changes in the natural world, including seasons
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Curiosity about the world and confidence to ask questions and explore
Expressive Arts and Design
Children leave EYFS as creative individuals who:
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Use a variety of materials, tools and techniques confidently
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Share their creations and explain their process
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Use props and materials when role-playing characters and narratives
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Sing nursery rhymes and songs with enjoyment
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Invent, adapt and recount narratives and stories
The Impact of Our Curriculum Drivers
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Exposure, Opportunities and Aspirations
Children leave EYFS with broadened horizons, having experienced Safari sessions, library bus visits, community events, and diverse learning opportunities. They understand that they can pursue any dream and have been exposed to possibilities beyond their immediate experience.
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Reading and Oracy
Children leave EYFS as confident speakers and readers. They communicate effectively, use rich vocabulary, and have developed a love of reading. Many children have been Pawsome Reader of the Week, building their confidence and fluency through reading to our school dog.
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Physical Development
Children leave EYFS with strong gross and fine motor skills. They are physically confident, understand how to keep healthy, and have the pencil control and hand-eye coordination necessary for fluent writing in Key Stage 1.
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Resilience and Respect
Children leave EYFS as resilient learners who persist when facing challenges, show respect for themselves and others, and demonstrate the characteristics of effective learning. They are ready to embrace the increased academic demands of Year 1 with confidence and enthusiasm.
Readiness for Year 1
Our EYFS provision ensures children are fully prepared for the next stage of their education:
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They have secure foundations in phonics, early reading, and writing
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They have deep understanding of early mathematics
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They are confident, independent learners with positive attitudes
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They have strong relationships with adults and peers
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They demonstrate the resilience and self-regulation needed for Year 1
Progress for All
We celebrate that every child makes excellent progress from their unique starting points:
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SEND children make meaningful progress with personalised support
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Pupil premium children achieve well and access all enrichment opportunities
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All children, regardless of background or ability, leave EYFS as confident, capable learners
Transition and Continuity
The impact of our EYFS provision extends beyond Reception:
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Our carefully aligned EYFS and Key Stage 1 curriculum ensures seamless transition
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Year 1 teachers receive comprehensive information about each child's development
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The foundations built in EYFS enable children to thrive throughout their time at Ashdon and beyond
Celebrating Success
We celebrate children's achievements in multiple ways:
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Friday celebration assemblies where children share their learning
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Stars of the Week and Pawsome Reader of the Week awards
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Displays showcasing children's work across all areas
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Regular communication with families about children's progress
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Annual events including performances, music festivals, and showcase evenings
At Ashdon Primary School, we challenge every child with an ambitious curriculum, care for them as individuals through responsive teaching and nurturing relationships, and celebrate their remarkable achievements as they develop into confident, capable learners ready for the next stage of their educational journey.
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Mrs Reynolds is our dedicated EYFS Lead, bringing over two decades of specialist early years experience to Ashdon Primary School. Her passion for this crucial stage of education stems from her extensive background across all phases of EYFS, from nursery through to Key Stage 1, and her deep understanding of how young children learn and develop.
Beginning her career as part of pilot programmes for early phonics teaching and the Numeracy Strategy in Luton, Mrs Reynolds has remained at the forefront of early years pedagogy throughout her career. She spent four years leading a nursery class in Chelmsford and taught extensively in EYFS settings in Great Dunmow and Henham before joining Ashdon 15 years ago – a testament to her commitment to our school's ethos.
Mrs Reynolds has a comprehensive understanding of the EYFS curriculum framework, encompassing both the prime areas (Communication and Language, Physical Development, and Personal, Social and Emotional Development) and the specific areas of learning. She has successfully led our staff team in aligning the EYFS framework with our Key Stage 1 curriculum, ensuring seamless progression and continuity as children transition through school.
Her dual role as PE and Science Lead further enhances her effectiveness as EYFS Lead. She has exceptional knowledge of physical development – understanding how gross and fine motor skills underpin all learning – and brings the curriculum to life through forest school experiences and outdoor learning that foster curiosity and scientific thinking from the earliest age.
What makes Mrs Reynolds exceptional in this role is her holistic approach to early childhood education. She champions oracy as the foundation of learning, embeds systematic phonics and handwriting instruction, and ensures children are exposed to rich, varied experiences that broaden their horizons. Her philosophy perfectly embodies Ashdon's values of Caring, Celebrating and Challenging, recognising that young children flourish when they feel safe, have their achievements celebrated, and are appropriately challenged to reach their potential.