Starting School







Give your child an outstanding start to their education at Christleton Primary School. We are incredibly proud that our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is judged Outstanding, providing children with a happy, nurturing and highly effective start to school life. Our school is also recognised for Outstanding Behaviour and Personal Development, reflecting the importance we place on helping children to feel safe, confident, valued and ready to learn. A very warm welcome to Christleton Primary School. We are delighted that you are considering our school for your child. Choosing a primary school is an important decision. You want somewhere your child will feel happy and secure, be known and valued, enjoy coming to school and receive an excellent education. At Christleton Primary School, this is at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to provide a welcoming, caring and ambitious school environment where children are encouraged to be the best they can be.
Starting School in reception?
For families choosing a Reception place, we know how important those first experiences of school are. Our Outstanding EYFS provision is designed to ensure that children settle quickly, develop confidence and independence and become enthusiastic learners from the very beginning. Children learn through an exciting combination of purposeful play, high-quality teaching, exploration and first-hand experiences. Our experienced staff get to know every child as an individual, building strong relationships with children and families and ensuring that each child receives the support and challenge they need to thrive. We want children to leave Reception with happy memories, strong foundations and a genuine excitement for learning.
	Come and See Our Outstanding EYFS
	The best way to discover whether Christleton Primary is the right school for your family is to come and visit us. A visit gives you the opportunity to: see our Outstanding EYFS provision in action; meet our staff and children; explore our classrooms and learning environment; discover more about our curriculum and opportunities; experience the atmosphere and ethos of the school; and ask any questions that are important to you and your child. There is nothing quite like seeing the school for yourself. We want families to feel confident and excited about choosing Christleton Primary School, and we are always delighted to welcome prospective parents and children. To arrange a visit or find out more: Tel: 01244 455288 Email: [email protected]
A School Where Children Can Thrive
Every parent wants their child to have the very best possible start to their education. At Christleton Primary School, we combine high expectations and ambition with a warm, supportive and nurturing environment. Our Outstanding Behaviour and Personal Development reflect the positive culture across our school. Children are encouraged to be kind, respectful and responsible, while developing the confidence, resilience and independence they need to succeed. We want every child to feel that they belong. Our staff take the time to know our children well. We celebrate their successes, support them when they find things difficult and encourage them to aim high.
	Learning That Inspires
	We provide a rich, engaging and ambitious curriculum designed to inspire children and develop a genuine love of learning. Children experience a broad range of subjects, activities and opportunities which enable them to explore their interests, develop new skills and deepen their understanding of the world around them. Wherever possible, learning is brought to life through meaningful experiences, practical activities, visits, visitors and opportunities beyond the classroom. Alongside strong academic foundations, we place great importance on developing the whole child. We want our pupils to become kind, confident, curious and responsible young people, well prepared for the next stage of their education.
	Outstanding Personal Development and Behaviour
	We believe that children's success at school is about much more than academic achievement. Our Outstanding Personal Development and Behaviour demonstrate our commitment to creating a school where children can flourish. Throughout their time at Christleton, children are supported to: develop confidence and independence; build positive relationships; understand the importance of kindness and respect; become resilient when faced with challenges; develop their talents and interests; contribute positively to school life; and become responsible members of their community. We want our pupils to enjoy coming to school and to feel proud to be part of Christleton Primary School.
More Than Just a School
Primary school is an incredibly important part of childhood and we want children to look back on their time at Christleton with happy memories. Our aim is for every child to leave us having: achieved well; discovered their strengths and interests; developed confidence and independence; built strong friendships and positive relationships; experienced a wide range of opportunities; and developed a love of learning that will stay with them throughout their lives.
Come and Discover Christleton Primary School We hope this website gives you a flavour of life at Christleton Primary School, but nothing replaces seeing the school for yourself. Most importantly, a school where children are known, valued and encouraged to be the best they can be. We would be delighted to welcome you and your child for a visit and show you what makes Christleton Primary School such a special place to learn and grow.

Comments from Current Reception Parents We are so pleased how our children have settled into reception. They love to go to school every day and have been involved in such a variety of different learning opportunities so far. The staff have been fabulous in ensuring their transition into school life has gone so well and we are truly grateful for this I feel very fortunate to live within the catchment area of such a lovely school. I have been very happy with my child's progress and with the nurturing ethos I have witnessed in the overall school environment and in the attitudes of the staff whom I've met. Thankyou. Keep up the good work It is a wonderful school and thank you for everything you have done to keep our children safe during such unprecedented times! I can see why this school is listed as outstanding, when compared to some of our peers’ kids in other schools the contact and engagement coming from the school is fantastic My child has absolutely loved the first half term and is already so settled in school which is testament to the amazing teaching and support staff. So happy with the school so far

Reception FAQs
How many children will be in my child’s class? Christleton Primary School is a one-form-entry school, with up to 30 children in each year group. This means children benefit from being part of a close-knit class community where staff are able to know them well, understand their individual strengths and needs, and support them as they settle into school life. Who will work with my child in Reception? Our Reception children are supported by an experienced Early Years team. There is a full-time class teacher and teaching assistant working within our EYFS provision. Our EYFS Lead, Mrs King, is supported by Ms Speed. Strong relationships are at the heart of our Outstanding EYFS provision. Our staff take great care to get to know each child as an individual and to ensure that children feel happy, safe, secure and confident from the very beginning. How do you teach children to read? Developing confident, enthusiastic readers is a key priority from the moment children join us. We use Read Write Inc. as our systematic phonics programme. Phonics is taught every day, helping children to develop the essential skills they need to read words accurately and fluently. In Reception, phonics teaching is supported by at least three members of staff, enabling children to receive teaching which is closely matched to their stage of development. Alongside phonics, children are surrounded by stories, books, rhymes and opportunities to enjoy reading throughout the school day. We want every child to develop not only the ability to read, but also a genuine love of books and reading. How will I know how my child is getting on? We see parents and carers as an essential part of their child’s education and place great importance on building a strong partnership between home and school. We use Seesaw throughout the school to share learning and support regular communication between families and the class teacher. Our approachable staff are always happy to communicate with parents, and we encourage families to speak to us whenever they have a question or concern. Throughout the year, there are also a range of opportunities for families to become involved in school life, including: parents’ evenings; information meetings; performances and celebrations; opportunities to share in children’s learning; and regular updates about school and classroom life. Whole-school information is also shared through School Spider, email and our social media channels. We want parents to feel well informed, involved and confident about how their child is progressing.

	Will you visit my child’s nursery or preschool before they start? Yes. A positive transition into Reception is extremely important to us. As part of our transition programme, we visit children in their nursery or preschool setting before they start at Christleton Primary School. These visits allow us to speak with the adults who already know your child well, learn more about their interests, strengths and individual needs, and begin preparing for a smooth and successful start to school. We also work closely with families throughout the transition process so that, by the time September arrives, children are already becoming familiar with their new school, staff and routines. Our aim is simple: we want every child to feel happy, excited and ready to begin their journey at Christleton Primary School.
How will my child be assessed? Assessment in Reception is an ongoing and natural part of children’s learning. Our experienced EYFS team carefully observes children as they play, explore, talk, read, write, investigate and take part in activities throughout the day. This helps staff understand what each child can already do, identify their next steps and make sure learning is appropriately matched to their needs. At the end of Reception, children are assessed against the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, in line with national requirements. We use Seesaw to help capture and share aspects of children’s learning. This may include photographs, comments and examples of activities or achievements. We see education as a genuine partnership between home and school, and Tapestry gives families an opportunity to see some of the experiences their child has been enjoying and to contribute to their learning journey. Alongside this, parents receive regular opportunities to discuss their child’s progress with the Reception team throughout the year. What if my child has SEND or additional needs? Christleton Primary School is an inclusive school and we are committed to helping every child feel happy, secure and successful. If your child has a special educational need, disability or any additional needs, we encourage you to share this information with us as early as possible. Knowing about your child’s needs before they start school allows us to: work closely with you and your child’s current nursery or preschool; put additional transition arrangements in place where appropriate; involve our SENDCo and other professionals if required; make any reasonable adjustments that may be needed; and ensure that staff are well prepared to support your child from their very first day. Every child is different, and we will work in partnership with families to understand what helps their child to feel confident, included and ready to learn. Our aim is to make the transition into our Outstanding EYFS provision as positive and successful as possible for every child.
	Do I need to pay for school meals? No. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are currently entitled to a free school meal each day through the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme. Our school meals are provided by EdSential, with children offered a choice of balanced, nutritious meals. For many Reception children, lunchtime is another important part of becoming independent, developing social skills and enjoying time with their friends. Our staff are on hand to help children become familiar with lunchtime routines and provide support where needed. Further information, including current menus, is available on our school website. My child has a food allergy. What should I do? Please do not worry. We are experienced in supporting children with a range of allergies and medical dietary requirements. Before your child starts school, you will be asked to provide us with full information about any allergies or medical needs. This enables us to make appropriate arrangements and ensure that relevant staff are fully informed. Where necessary, our school catering provider can arrange specialist menus so that children with allergies or particular dietary requirements can continue to enjoy a school meal safely. Wherever possible, children with allergies take part in lunchtime in exactly the same way as their friends, sitting with their classmates and enjoying the same social experience. Christleton Primary School is allergy aware, and we ask all families to be mindful of the needs of other children when bringing food into school. If your child requires emergency medication, such as an adrenaline auto-injector or inhaler, we will work with you to ensure that the appropriate medication and information are available in school. Our priority is that every child is able to take part in school life safely, confidently and fully included.
What happens if my child needs medication or cream during the school day? If your child needs medication while they are at school, we will work with you to make sure the appropriate arrangements are in place. Parents and carers will be asked to complete the relevant medical form, providing us with clear information about their child’s needs. Once the necessary consent and information have been received, authorised school staff can administer or support children with medication in accordance with our school procedures. This can also include supporting children who require prescribed creams or treatments during the school day, for example for eczema. If your child has an ongoing medical need, please speak to us before they start school. This gives us plenty of time to understand their needs, put any necessary arrangements in place and ensure that relevant staff are fully informed. Our priority is always to ensure that children are safe, comfortable and able to enjoy their school day. What happens if my child has a toileting accident at school? Please do not worry. We understand that toileting accidents can happen, particularly when children are settling into Reception and becoming familiar with new routines. As part of our new starter information, parents are asked to provide consent for staff to support their child with intimate care should this be needed. If your child has an accident, staff will deal with it quickly, sensitively and discreetly. Your child will be helped into clean clothes and reassured so that they can return to their activities without feeling embarrassed or worried. Any wet or soiled clothing will be placed securely into a bag and returned to you discreetly at the end of the school day. Our experienced EYFS staff understand that every child develops at a different pace. Children will always be treated with kindness, dignity and reassurance.
	Do you offer before and after-school care? Yes. We offer wraparound childcare both before and after the school day, helping families to manage work and other commitments. Our on-site provision is operated by S4YC and is available from: Breakfast Club: 7.45am until the start of the school day After-School Club: from the end of the school day until 6.00pm Children are cared for within the familiar surroundings of Christleton Primary School and have opportunities to relax, play, socialise and take part in a range of activities. Having wraparound care available on the school site also means children can move smoothly between their childcare provision and the school day. Further information about sessions, booking arrangements and current charges is available from the school or S4YC.
Still have a question? Starting school is a big milestone for both children and their families, and we want you to feel completely confident about choosing Christleton Primary School. Whether you have a question about Reception, the application process, transition arrangements, wraparound care or what our Outstanding EYFS has to offer, please get in touch. Even better, come and see us for yourself. We would be delighted to welcome you into school, introduce you to our staff and children and show you why Christleton Primary School is such a special place to begin your child’s education. Telephone: 01244 455288 Email: [email protected] Outstanding EYFS. A caring start. An exciting journey
For further information regarding the application and admission process at Christleton Primay school please see our admissions page. This can be accessed by clicking below: Admissions What do parents think about transisiton from pre-school / nursery into Christleton Primary School. We understand the importance of ensuring a smooth transition between pre-school / nursery settings and our school setting. We plan a thorough transition process, which can be viewed on our transition page by clicking here. Our considered approach ensures that our children start school prepared and happy, which is vital. Each year we ask the parents their views on how well their children have settled into our school. The results of this questionnaire can be found on our parent feedback page by clicking here.