At St George’s Junior School, Reception is the beginning of a carefully designed educational journey, where children are given the strongest possible foundations for future success.

Capture even one typical day in our Reception classrooms, and you will see that every moment is thoughtfully structured to support both academic development and personal growth.

From the moment children arrive, they are welcomed into a nurturing and stimulating environment where they feel secure, valued and ready to learn. The day begins with activities such as Dough Disco, developing fine motor skills and coordination, before children move into a blend of play-based and teacher-guided learning.

Learning through play is a central part of the Reception experience at St George’s. Through carefully planned activities, children develop confidence, independence and strong social skills, while also laying the groundwork for critical thinking and problem-solving. These early experiences are key in fostering a genuine love of learning.

As the day progresses, more structured sessions in phonics, literacy and maths provide the essential building blocks for reading, writing and numeracy. Our approach ensures that children develop these core skills with confidence, supported by expert teaching and a curriculum designed to challenge and inspire.

A defining strength of Reception at St George’s is the level of individual attention each child receives. Every class is led by an experienced teacher and supported by a dedicated Teaching Assistant, resulting in a maximum pupil–teacher ratio of 9:1. This ensures that every child is truly known, supported and appropriately challenged from the very start of their school journey.

What also sets St George’s apart is the breadth of the curriculum from the earliest years. Reception pupils benefit from specialist teaching in Sport, French, Music and Computing, alongside a rich programme of classroom learning, outdoor exploration and creative activity.

Each class also takes part in a dedicated weekly Forest School session, giving children the opportunity to learn in a natural environment, develop resilience, build confidence and deepen their connection with the world around them. These experiences play a vital role in supporting both wellbeing and independent learning.

Central to this experience is the strength of our classroom environment. As Reception Class Teacher, Mrs Jo Hall, explains:

“Our class sizes are just right - small enough that every child is truly known and supported, and large enough for them to benefit from friendships, collaboration and shared learning experiences.”

This carefully considered balance allows our teachers to build meaningful relationships with each child, ensuring that they are both nurtured and challenged as individuals.

The Early Years are a critical stage in a child’s development, shaping not only academic ability but also confidence, resilience and a sense of self. At St George’s, we take this responsibility seriously. Our Reception programme is designed to ensure that every child leaves with the skills, confidence and enthusiasm needed to thrive as they progress through the school.

By providing a supportive and inspiring start, St George’s Junior School equips children with the foundations for a lifelong love of learning, and the confidence to embrace every opportunity ahead.