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Reception

Miss Liz Thompson

Director of Early Years

I have worked in Early Years education for over 10 years, and I feel incredibly lucky to work with children as they start they life-long journey into learning. My role is to ensure that all of the children in Reception have a happy, safe and engaging time when they are with us. Each child is always a complete unique and interesting individual, and it is a privilege to get to know them and watch them develop over the year. I also enjoy working with the families to help make sure everyone has a wonderful first year at school.

Mrs Nicola Robinson

Class Teacher

I have been teaching at West Jesmond for 20 years and for the past two years, I have loved my role developing Continuous Provision in the Year 1 Learning Garden and I am excited to join the Early Years Team this year. I am passionate about providing children with lots of opportunities to develop their creativity through play and really enjoy teaching children to read, write and develop their vocabulary. I enjoy going for long walks, cooking and reading in my spare time.

Mrs Dianne Sanderson

Class Teacher

I have taught at West Jesmond for over 30 years now and I still love it just as much as when I started. I particularly enjoy teaching the children how to read and write. Outside of school, I enjoy Zumba and tap dancing. I also really enjoy going for walks on the beach.

Miss Lauren Stenhouse

Class Teacher

This is my second year teaching at West Jesmond Primary School. I love teaching science and helping young children to discover and explore the incredible world around them. Some of my hobbies include reading, cooking, baking and travelling.

Mr Euan Stenhouse

Class Teacher

This is my first year as a Class Teacher at West Jesmond. I particularly enjoy teaching Maths and PE, I love seeing the children engaged and being active whilst learning. Outside of school my passion is sport, I play hockey, cricket and golf.

Welcome to Reception!

We understand how important your child's first year at school is, and in Reception we want to get all of our children excited about coming to school, and interested in learning all about the world around them.  We ensure that all children are given a curriculum which is broad and balanced, promoting their emotional, social, physical and intellectual needs. We create a stimulating and inviting learning environment where all children’s interests and learning are built upon, with a focus on play-based learning supported by adults. Our aim is for all our children to feel safe and secure in their environment, as we promote self-confidence, independence, self-esteem and an eagerness to learn. We hope to work in partnership with you as parents and families, promoting the very best relationship to support learning.  We will support all our children in developing their ‘school readiness’ by the end of Reception, equipping them with a broad range of skills and knowledge to take them into Year 1.

 

Key Information 

  • Tapestry - This is our online learning journal for all children in Reception. The staff regularly upload photos and observations of your child's day at school. We very much welcome you as parents to not only read the observations but comment back and to post your own observations and photos of what you have been doing at home.
  • PE - Our PE days are Tuesday and Thursday, please bring your children dressed in their PE kit. If it is colder weather the children can wear jogging bottoms and their school jumper to keep them warm. 
  • Homework - Our homework will be sent every Wednesday via Tapestry. Please complete your homework and upload a photo or comment to Tapestry by the following Monday so we can respond.
  • Reading packs - Your child will be given their own reading pack. This will go home and should be returned on their allocated day. Inside the pack will be your child's reading book (children will be allocated a reading book when ready), a Tricky Word book to practise high frequency words and letter cards to practise blending the sounds we have learnt.
  • Milk - If you would like your child to have milk, please sign up via the 'Cool Milk' website. Milk is free when your child is 4, once they have turned 5 you will need to re-register and pay for the milk.
Drop off - 8:30am - 9:00am
Pick up - 3:15pm - 3:35pm
Autumn 1
Working Together; Beginning Reading
 
Below you will find a video explaining how we teach reading at West Jesmond and how you can support your child at home with reading. There is also a Reading and Phonics guide for parents you can read through to further explain our strategies for teaching reading. Supporting your child at home with their reading is one of the most important homeworks you can do, and a little bit of practise everyday makes a huge difference.