Mackie Hill School

Welcome to Reception Class 

Welcome to our Reception class at Mackie Hill School - a year full of excitement, growth and new possibilities. Guided by our school ethos of Kind Hearts, Ambitious Minds, we support every child to feel confident, capable and ready to embrace learning as they take this important step into school life.

Our Reception provision is firmly rooted in the EYFS and reflects the government guidance in Strong Foundations in Reception. This means we prioritise what matters most: strong relationships, high-quality communication and language, early reading and number, self-regulation and positive learning behaviours. Through carefully planned play, exploration and adult-led learning, children develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to thrive.
 

Children continue their journey with our Mackie Hill Learning Mascots, which help bring learning behaviours to life. From perseverance and curiosity to kindness, focus and bravery, the mascots support children in understanding how they learn, not just what they learn. Alongside this, the Zones of Regulation are embedded throughout Reception, helping children recognise emotions, manage feelings and develop strategies to stay calm, focused and ready to learn.
 

We have high expectations for all children in Reception. We encourage pride in our classroom and school environment, with clear routines for tidying, caring for resources and developing independence in self-care and hygiene. These consistent routines help children feel secure, build confidence and develop responsibility as learners.
 

Relationships remain at the heart of everything we do. Our relational approach ensures that children feel known, supported and valued, enabling them to take risks and challenge themselves. We strongly believe that the best outcomes are achieved when school and home work together, and we value close partnerships with parents and carers.
 

We hold regular open days, but also warmly welcome visits at other times. If you would like to see our Reception class in action or talk to us about your child’s start at Mackie Hill School, please get in touch – we would be delighted to welcome you. 

 Mrs Ellis

Reception in Pictures