Admissions: 01206 217116
General Enquiries: 01206 573389

RECEPTION CLASS

Ready to learn

Choosing a school for your child when they approach five years of age can be a daunting time. But at Colchester Prep & High School we are here to hold their hand – and yours!

We pride ourselves on giving our Reception pupils the best start to their educational journey. Within our warm and welcoming Reception classroom, your child will develop, flourish and become a happy, confident and independent learner with a curiosity about the world around them.

Discover Reception

If your child is starting school in September, please arrange a personal tour to learn how we can give your child the best start to their education.

- Meet our dedicated, experienced staff and watch our pupils in action
- Explore our warm and welcoming Reception classroom
- Learn about our Reception curriculum and why we are rated double 'Excellent' by independent school inspectors and our parents!

With limited Reception places available for September 2024 entry, book today!

OUR APPROACH

An individualised approach

With class sizes typically under 15 pupils, our excellent teachers truly get to know each and every child and are able to tailor their learning journey to their individual needs. They understand how they learn best, when they need challenging and equally, when they are struggling but afraid to ask. Giving them the confidence and self-belief to be the best that they can be.

Our happy, confident and independent children

CURRICULUM

An enhanced curriculum

Our Reception pupils benefit from a varied and exciting immersive curriculum supplemented with specialist lessons in PE, Computer Science, Music and Modern Languages and weekly Forest School.

They also enjoy access to a wide range of fun and exciting extra-curricular activities and clubs, allowing them to broaden their knowledge, discover new talents and explore the world around them.

Lessons include:

Discovering the joy of reading

Our children are all encouraged to look at and share books with each other, listen to stories and engage in role play. They enjoy a daily structured phonics programme and are listened to read daily.

It is a huge advantage for the Nursery children to be able to read as they start School and we are very proud that at the end of Reception, the Hertfordshire Reading Tests results show that our children are on average 2 years ahead of their chronological reading age.

My little boy can't wait to go to Colchester Prep & High School each morning and the way he has developed and grown since he joined has been wonderful to see.

– Parent, Colchester Prep & High School

OUTDOOR LEARNING

Learning in the great outdoors

Our Early Years outdoor area provides the children with opportunities to explore the outdoor environment, equipment and resources. Contributing to their knowledge of the world around them and their physical development, the Early Years Garden is used as an extended classroom to provide a different dimension to the pupil’s learning.

Our Reception children attend weekly Forest School lessons where they can have fun in the great outdoors climbing, exploring, running, jumping, balancing and searching for insects. This is what the children call “getting muddy” and we call “hands on learning” opportunities.

ACADEMIC RESULTS

Our excellent results at the end of Reception

By the end of Reception, the vast majority of our pupils exceed their Early Years Learning Goals, placing them one year ahead academically. Most importantly though, our Reception children are confident, happy thoughtful children who come to school each day with a smile on their faces and a spring in their step, excited to learn.

“Excellent progress is made in Early Years, in preparation for their entrance into the Prep School.”

– ISI inspection 2022

WHAT NEXT?

We are here to help

We can provide your child with the best possible start to their educational journey and look forward to talking to you about your child and their needs.

If you would like to learn more about our Reception provision, please contact our Admissions Team on 01206 589998 or email joinus@colchesterhighschool.co.uk.

You can also read our blogs on What to Look for in a Primary School? and Preparing your child for Reception.

Admissions:01206 217116
General Enquiries:01206 573389