Frequently Asked Questions about this Reception Curriculum for English schools
What is the overview of the curriculum?
The curriculum covers the whole Reception year, divided into twelve unit-plans of three weeks. Each week is supported by a recommended text, to be read five times a day. The units are designed to cover the Understanding of the World education programme, with explicit links to the Year 1 foundation subjects. In short, the curriculum is information-rich; effectively fills the gaps where there has been limited support and has shown itself to be engaging and fun for Reception children.
What does this curriculum cover?
The twelve units cover history, geography, the sciences, seasons and design technology. They also include suggestions for art and artists. They do not cover computing, music, PE or RE as these tend to be covered in whole-school schemes. Whilst it does not directly tackle mathematics, the curriculum for reception teachers also provides guidance for how the teaching of numbers, shapes, space and measurements can be planned.
Why would I need a curriculum for my reception class?
This reception curriculum for English schools is designed to take all the worry and stress out of planning the Reception Curriculum. It has been created with Reception teachers, for Reception teachers. Instead of scrambling to do your own research, construct your own materials and find a way to coherently link the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to the Year 1 National Curriculum, all you need to do is put this curriculum into practice. You stand to remove all the worry and stress from planning your own Reception curriculum. The themes covered and the texts used are common to Reception classes; the crucial difference is the sharper approach to underpinning knowledge, without compromising on the ‘fun’ factor. In short, this curriculum for reception teachers will make your life easier and save you hours of time all while getting your children ready for Year 1.
Are there any additional costs?
No – You will be provided with everything you need in a single one-off payment. There are no hidden fees, subscriptions or upsells.
What is this curriculum for reception teachers based on?
The structure, tools and models are sourced from my 40+ years of experience as a teacher and headteacher, including nearly 20 years as an HMI and Senior HMI with Ofsted. They are based on numerous consultations with Reception teachers with whom I worked after I left Ofsted and include proven strategies used by some of England’s highest performing Reception classes. The emphasis on reading five times a day, for example, is attested to in an Ofsted report for Starbank School: “Older primary pupils’ success is supported by the secure start they get in the primary phase. Whether it is a ‘three-a-day’ in nursery, or ‘five-a-day’ in Reception, staff bring books to life in a way that hooks children into reading’. The use of clear vocabulary routines is equally attested to in an Ofsted report for Thornbury Primary Leadership Academy: “Adults model high standard of literacy. They carefully introduce children to important vocabulary. Children copy this in their own play. Clear routines help children develop the skills they need to begin Year 1.”