Welcome to Acorn Class
Reception at Willow Primary Academy is where your child will experience an engaging curriculum, based on real life experiences and their own interests. We value the importance of talk and new vocabulary, which is why our curriculum is driven by high-quality texts.
Our Early Years environment promotes curiosity; encouraging our pupils to be risk takers, problem solvers and critical thinkers. It supports children in learning about the world and exploring their surroundings to build on their knowledge and experiences. It is important that the environment meets the individual needs of all children and offers opportunities for engagement, investigation and exploration.
Our main aim is to ensure your child feels safe, happy and secure and that they have the building blocks to enable them to succeed as they begin their journey into Key Stage One.
We hope you enjoy finding out about all of the fun things we get up to in Reception.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO TELLING YOU ALL ABOUT OUR LEARNING.
To see all of the amazing learning in Acorn Class click this link!
Welcome to Acorn Class
Storybook
Download
Early Years and Key Stage One Leader and Reception Teacher
Lisa Simmonds
Early Years and Key Stage One Leader and Reception Teacher
Lisa Simmonds
My name is Miss Simmonds and I joined the Willow family just over a year ago. I have previously taught for 16 years in both Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. Most of my time has been spent teaching in Year 2, but I have a wide range of experience from EYFS to Year 4. However, my absolute passion is Early Years and I am so excited to be teaching in Reception again! I have also led English for 14 years and I look forward to bringing my experience of this to inspire all pupils to be readers and writers.
Learning Partner
Sophie Purveur
Learning Partner
Sophie Purveur
My name is Miss Purveur most children call me Miss P as it is easier to say. I have been working at Willow for 11 years. I love reading stories, art and playing with Lego.
Learning Partner
Fiona Fan
Learning Partner
Fiona Fan
Hi, I’m Ms Fan. I have been teaching for 20 years across Gloucestershire and have been at Willow since February 2022. I have a passion for working with EYFS and KS1 children. In my new role as a Learning Partner, I enjoy working with and supporting pupils on a 1 to 1 basis and scaffolding their learning but I especially love interacting with them in Continuous Provision. My favourite subjects are Art, DT, Music and PE as I enjoy being creative! In my spare time, I like going to the theatre and visiting new places with my daughter.
PPA Teacher
Abdul Hadi
PPA Teacher
Abdul Hadi
Hello, I’m Mr Hadi and I’m the PPA teacher at Willow. I have been working in education since 2011, in both mainstream and special educational needs settings, as both support staff and as a teacher.
Our Curriculum
Learning at Home
- Your child has a green phonics book in their book bag. Please practise the sounds dated on a regular basis. Your child could also practise the letter formation of the sounds taught, using the rhyme written in the book.
- Your child also has a lilac wordless book to help them develop their communication skills and their ability to hold a book and retell a story in the correct sequence. Please encourage your child to look at the pictures and explain what is happening.
- Don’t forget to read the book your child has chosen from the book corner. This is a book to read for pleasure and enjoyment. Use different voices to make it sound exciting or funny. Find somewhere cosy, snuggle up and enjoy reading to your child. They will love it!
- All reading needs to be recorded in your child’s yellow reading record, which will be checked weekly. Your child will earn Pride points when they read lots at home!
Useful Documents for Parents
Below are some documents which will help parents to support their child with phonics at home:
The links below provide parents with an overview of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Early Learning Goals that pupils are assessed against at the end of Reception.
There is also a link to activities you could try at home that are linked to the different areas of the Early Years profile. If you try any of these activities at home, please upload them to Tapestry for us to see!