In Reception and throughout the Prep School, a comprehensive programme of phonics underpins our learning.  This approach to teaching literacy supports the children to become fluent readers, confident speakers and willing writers.  Phonetic understanding is integrated into our work on comprehension, writing, grammar, spelling and handwriting, using engaging partner work and drama to bring the curriculum alive.  We believe that an early love of reading fires a child's imagination and helps to inspire a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

Along with phonics, we follow a challenging maths programme based on the Singapore approach to mathematics.  This helps to instil confidence in early number skills and a passion for maths as well as offering opportunities to explore and master concepts such as shape, space and measurement.  We know that a secure understanding of number will give the children a strong foundation from which to thrive as they grow.

Our aim is to support the children to become happy and resilient mathematicians who relish the challenge of maths throughout their Prep School life and beyond.  We believe that, with the right approach, children can not only become confident to use maths, but they will appreciate its beauty and feel great pride when solving difficult problems.

Children today are growing up immersed in a world of new technologies.  At Radnor House, we prepare our children for a technically diverse global economy and what better time to start than Reception?  As part of our Reception class computing curriculum, your child will be taught push button activities; remote control devices; simple, programmable robots such as Bee-Bot; musical keyboards; digital cameras; interactive books; as well as using desktop computers and mobile devices.  We also teach them online safety and support families with up-to-date information on how to educate and keep children safe online.

Taking part in PE and sport enables your child to build determination, passion respect, self-belief and teamwork. 

Our sports grounds include Football and Rugby pitches, a cricket green, a 25-metre swimming pool, indoor sports hall, tennis courts and basketball courts and the future prospect of a multi-purpose hockey astro-turf.

Through PE we aim to encourage a lifetime love of sport and keeping fit. In Reception the children are taught through multi skills PE lessons to improve their throwing, catching, agility balance and ball skills.  Athletics is a key feature of the summer term and we encourage you to attend our sports day.

Swimming is one of our most popular sports. Our Reception children have weekly swimming lessons all year round and by the spring term take part in our school swimming gala.

Dance and Drama

We have a wonderful drama specialist teacher who teaches the Reception children every week. They will start to develop confidence through teacher lead activities focusing on developing characters and dance actions along with working with others and performing to the class. You will get to see your child perform in class assemblies and in the Nativity play.

In Reception, pupils can sign up for Ballet lessons once a week, starting with basic ballet steps and then following The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance syllabus.

Music

Our Reception children receive Music lessons with our specialist Music teacher, once a week. We sing a varied mix of songs to encourage language, pitch and diction and which prepare the children for their seasonal performances.  There are a variety of instruments designed for little hands. We do make a great deal of noise and have a marvellous time doing so!  

We recognise the importance of outdoor learning as a tool to develop resilience, perseverance and mental toughness for our children alongside a love for the natural environment around them.

Pupils in Reception take part in Forest School every week within our 30-acre estate. Our children have the freedom to explore, play, build, create, imagine, and use their senses to experience the outdoor environment and engage with one another in sessions led by our specialist Forest School leader. 

Children sing around the fire, learn to use and make tools, build dens, dig in the mud, identify bugs and build their own bug hotel. This is where they learn the skills that they can then use in the reception garden and woodland area during other lessons and playtimes.