Welcome to our F2 Class page

We are The Wrens!

Here are our teachers who help us learn through playing, exploring, being active and creative, both indoors and out:

Mrs Royston – Class Teacher

Mrs Ratcliffe– Teaching Assistant

Mrs Palfreyman- Teaching Assistant - afternoonspL

Please see our long term curriculum plan at the bottom of this page

The Wrens Class

Our Foundation Stage 2 (FS2) class are called ‘The Wrens’ at Springvale school, fitting in with our British bird themed class names. This year group is also commonly known as ‘Reception’ class and it is the first year of compulsory education for children aged 4-5 years.

To enable a smooth transition into class, we offer pre-school visits and a number of sessions for children to come and visit us before September. We also a parent information evening during the summer term. Our first days in September are also carefully planned with a staggered start, building up the children’s time with us. This enables us to begin developing strong relationships with the children and support their needs appropriately.

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and have planned topics each half term, ensuring we cover all 7 areas of learning:

*Communication and language

*Physical development

*Personal, social and emotional development

*Literacy

*Mathematics

*Understanding the world

*Expressive arts and design

Our summer topics will be ‘We’re going on a bug hunt’ and ‘Water, water everywhere!’

F2 learning is very much play-based and interactive, both indoors and outdoors. The day has a balance of short whole class directed teaching sessions, as well as both child-led and adult-led learning. The EYFS Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning describe how children learn rather than what they learn. The three core, interconnected aspects are:

*Playing and exploring (investigating and "having a go")

*Active learning (concentration, resilience, and motivation)

*Creating and thinking critically (developing ideas, making links, and strategies).

We support this by providing an environment with engaging resources, which prompt curiosity and interest. The adults’ role is crucial in supporting, encouraging and promoting children’s exploration.

Our children love meeting special visitors at school and it is great for them to build confidence when trying new experiences. We have recently enjoyed a drama workshop focusing on journeys and transport, welcomed some amazing parents into school who have shared their professions with us, an Indian dance workshop and a woodwork day with HeppDT!

How parents / carers can support their child

Getting ready to start school is both an exciting and daunting time, for adults and children. It can be really helpful for the children when adults talk positively about school, practise your journey to and from school, attend our summer taster sessions and help children practise getting dressed and undressed (ready for PE days!)

Sharing books is a very enjoyable experience and a treasured time children love. It can often be built into a bedtime routine, but we know many children will request stories being read throughout the day! Daily, regular reading is developing a child’s love for stories and desire for them to be like you and be able to read independently once they have the skills needed. Focus on talking about pictures, using silly voices, and encouraging participation by letting them hold the book, turn pages, and predict what happens next. Repetition is beneficial, so embrace reading favourite stories again and again to build vocabulary and imagination.

Our school follow the phonics scheme ‘read, write inc’ and we begin this in September. We will send ‘homework’ with your child, such as letter recognition, letter formation, building up to reading materials each week. We will also be able to share QR codes, which link to short videos supporting your child’s phonics journey. Spending five minutes each day completing and practising these tasks will have a massive impact on your child’s progress and attainment.

Useful websites

www.oxfordowl.co.uk – a free resource to access learning at home with a free e-book library

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbWIujM1WGM -How Read Write Inc. Phonics works - a parent/carer’s guide

www.topmarks.co.uk – free online games supporting maths, stories, rhymes and letters

www.cbeebies.co.uk  - games, shows, songs, crafts and parenting support

www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/children-young-people-and-families/family-hubs/ - links to local family hubs, activities, support and specialists

www.beststartinlife.gov.uk - advice and support for your child’s development