Reception 2026 - 2027

Miss Stritch

Reception Teacher

Reception at Middleforth C of E Primary School

Welcome to Reception at Middleforth C of E Primary School.

My name is Miss Stritch, Reception Teacher and EYFS Lead. I am supported by our wonderful team, Mrs Makepeace and Miss Monk. Together, we create a nurturing, ambitious and inclusive environment where every child feels safe, valued and ready to learn.

We recognise that children join us with a wide range of experiences, interests and strengths. Through strong relationships, high expectations and a deep understanding of child development, we ensure every child is supported to thrive and achieve their full potential.


Miss Stritch	Mrs Makepeace	Miss Monk

Our EYFS Vision

At Middleforth, we believe every child deserves the very best start to their education.

Rooted in our Christian vision to 'Let Your Light Shine', we provide a nurturing and ambitious environment where children develop the confidence, knowledge and skills they need to flourish.

We are committed to ensuring that every child succeeds, regardless of their starting point. Through high-quality teaching, meaningful learning experiences and carefully tailored support, we remove barriers to learning and help children make strong progress throughout their Reception year.

Our Learning Environment

We are proud of our calm, caring and purposeful learning environment.

Our classroom is carefully designed to promote independence, curiosity and a love of learning. Children learn through a balance of child-initiated play and adult-led teaching, enabling them to develop knowledge and skills across all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Both our indoor and outdoor environments are thoughtfully organised to encourage exploration, creativity, communication and problem-solving. Carefully planned provision and high-quality resources allow children to revisit, practise and deepen their learning over time.

A particular strength of our provision is our extensive outdoor learning environment. Children benefit from free-flow access throughout the day, supporting physical development, wellbeing, resilience and a curiosity about the world around them.

Our Curriculum

At Middleforth, we deliver an ambitious, carefully sequenced curriculum that builds on children's prior learning and prepares them for a successful transition into Year 1.

Our curriculum is designed around what we want children to know, remember and be able to do. Learning is carefully planned across all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is underpinned by the Characteristics of Effective Learning:

Playing and Exploring
Active Learning
Creating and Thinking Critically

Communication and language sit at the heart of our curriculum. Through story-rich experiences, purposeful conversations and high-quality interactions, children develop the vocabulary, language skills and confidence needed to become successful learners.

We provide rich first-hand experiences that broaden children's understanding of the world, develop cultural capital and help them make meaningful connections in their learning.

Inclusion and Belonging

Every child at Middleforth is known, valued and celebrated as an individual.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all children can access, participate in and enjoy every aspect of school life. High expectations, alongside appropriate support, challenge and adaptation, ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed.

By working closely with families and external professionals, we identify needs early, respond effectively and provide the support children need to thrive both academically and personally.

Knowing Every Child

Each child belongs to a Key Worker group, helping us to build strong relationships with children and families and ensuring every child is exceptionally well known.

Our Key Worker groups are:

Rowan Rangers – Miss Stritch and Mrs Millroy ( Mondays )
Pine Pioneers – Mrs Makepeace
Oak Explorers – Miss Monk

Through ongoing observation, assessment and professional knowledge of each child, we develop a detailed understanding of children's strengths, interests and next steps. Our bespoke progression document, informed by Lancashire EYFS guidance, Development Matters and Birth to 5 Matters, supports us in carefully monitoring learning and ensuring strong progress for all.

Working in Partnership with Families

We believe that strong partnerships between home and school are fundamental to children's success.

We work closely with parents and carers throughout the year, sharing achievements, celebrating milestones and supporting learning both at home and at school. Through open communication and shared experiences, we build positive relationships that help children feel secure, confident and successful.

Class Dojo is our main communication platform and enables us to share learning, celebrate achievements and keep families informed about life in Reception.

A Nurturing Start to School Life

Our experienced EYFS team is passionate about helping every child feel happy, secure and excited about coming to school each day.

Through nurturing relationships, high-quality learning experiences and carefully planned provision, children develop the confidence, independence and resilience needed for future success.

By the end of Reception, our children leave as confident, capable and enthusiastic learners who are well prepared for Year 1 and ready to continue letting their light shine.