1. School Structure and Timings
Reception is part of Pre-Prep (Reception–Year 2). Pre-Prep sits within the wider Prep School with most lessons taking place in the children’s classrooms in the Underhill building.
Weekly Routine for Reception
2. Getting Ready For School
In the Morning
• Named water bottle (daily) – please note that if it comes home empty, it is because staff may empty them to avoid risks of spillage. We always try to ensure that your children drink regularly throughout the day.
• No stationery required.
• No personal items, toys or valuables unless specially requested by the teacher.
• Clearly named clothing.
• Check the timetable and the weather for uniform!
In the Afternoon
Reading Check the reading diary – you should try to read daily (5–10 minutes at least – more ideally!) with a focus on fun, phonics and creating early reading habits.
Micro Duke – Check the handbook and the booklet for any tasks to complete at home.
Why Don’t You – Why Don’t You tasks are set in the newsletter for your child to complete if they are keen.
3. Communication
The Weekly Friday Newsletter is essential reading. Make sure that you also have access to the Parent Handbook, the SVS App and the School Portal.
Contact:
• School Office: 01622 845200 - prepoffice@svs.org.uk
• Class teachers are available for a quick chat at pick up and drop off. However, they might not be able to hold long conversations so feel free to book a
• meeting with them if you need to. You can also contact Ms Champanhet, Head of Pre-Prep, for any matter that might need escalating.
For Absence Procedures, Illness Guidance and medical information, please check the handbook.
4. Events for Reception
Your first week, at a glance
Weekly Super Hoot Assembly – you will receive an email by Wednesday, wherever possible, inviting you to attend Super Hoot Assembly if your child has received a certificate that week. Super Hoot Assemblies take place in the Pre-Prep Hall.
Key Dates for the rest of the first half-term (subject to change)
• Monday 21st September – Reception Coffee Morning
• Wednesday 23rd September – Flu Immunisations
• Friday 25th September – European Day of Languages / Open Morning
• Friday 16th October – Book Share 3pm / Half Term
Mrs Glover – Class teacher
Hello everyone! My name is Mrs Glover and I am so excited to welcome you to Reception. I am really looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you and helping you settle into your new classroom. In my spare time, I love reading books, spending time with my family, and going for long walks with my dog, Buddy. I can’t wait to find out all about you, your favourite games, books, toys, and the things you enjoy doing most. We are going to have a wonderful year together, and I am so happy that you will be part of our Reception class.
Mrs Empson – Class teacher
My name is Mrs. Empson. I think I have met most of you already, and I am so excited to see you all in Reception. Early Years is my passion, and I love helping children learn, grow, and develop through fun and engaging experiences. We are going to have lots of fun together! I love reading, especially books about history and autobiographies. Another of my favourite hobbies is going to the gym, where I enjoy lifting weights, taking part in spin classes, and keeping active. I can’t wait to get to know you all and have a fantastic year together!
Miss Kerry - Teaching Assistant
My name is Miss Kerry, and this is my dog Woody he is 5 years old. Apart from walking my dog, I like to go running and reading books. I am really looking forward to being with you in Reception. We are going to have lots of fun and laughter. Enjoy your summer break and I will see you in September
Mrs Lordon - Music teacher
My name’s Mrs Lordon. I can’t wait to meet you all and get to know you when we have our Music sessions. We’ll have fun listening and moving to music, singing songs, playing games and having a go on some musical instruments. You have so much to look forward to - see you in September!
Mdme Albert – Specialist teacher Bonjour à tous.
My name is Madame Albert, and I am delighted to be joining the Sutton Valence community for the upcoming academic year. I am very much looking forward to getting to know the children and fostering their curiosity for French culture and language! I wish you all a wonderful summer break before our journey begins.
À bientôt !
Mr Trachonitis (Mr T.) - PE teacher
I’m Mr. Trachonitis, and I’m really looking forward to seeing you in Reception and having lots of fun together in PE! We’ll be running, jumping, throwing, catching – and most importantly, smiling and learning as a team. I can’t wait to get started!
6. Getting Ready For School
Starting Reception is an exciting milestone. At Sutton Valence, we place a strong emphasis on play as the foundation of learning, both in school and at home. Inspired by approaches such as Greg Bottrill’s, we believe children learn best through play, talk and imagination. From this foundation, confidence, language and early writing naturally grow.
The Importance of Play
Play sits at the heart of our Reception provision. Through carefully planned opportunities, children develop:
• language and vocabulary
• creativity and imagination
• problem-solving skills
• relationships and collaboration
Time spent playing, exploring, drawing, building, listening to stories and talking about ideas is the most powerful preparation for school.
Uniform – please ask the office for any information on our new uniforms.
Our Approach: Talk, Draw, Write
We follow key principles inspired by Greg Bottrill, including our use of Drawing Club:
• Wonder comes before writing – children need rich experiences and imagination first
• Language is key – talking and storytelling underpin all learning
• Talk first, draw next, write later
• Creativity and confidence come before correctness
In Drawing Club, children explore stories, share ideas, draw their own interpretations and begin to add marks and early writing in a meaningful and engaging way.
Supporting Readiness at Home
Independence
Children benefit from managing simple tasks such as toileting, dressing with support and looking after belongings.
Play and Curiosity
Imaginative play, creativity and exploration—at home and at school—are central to learning.
Communication
Talking about experiences, listening to instructions and asking for help support a smooth transition.
Relationships
Learning to take turns, share and play with others helps children build early friendships (which naturally change and develop over time).
Physical Development
Running, climbing, drawing, cutting and building all support coordination and early learning.
Routines and Wellbeing
Consistent sleep, mealtimes and morning routines help children feel ready for each day.
Being there for Your Child
Starting school is a big step. Some children may feel tired, unsettled or overwhelmed at first—this is completely normal and quickly improves.
You can help by:
• talking positively about school
• maintaining consistent routines
• celebrating small successes
• prioritising play, conversation and shared stories
Champanhets@svs.org.uk
Working in Partnership
Strong communication between home and school is key. Please share any important information about your child and do not hesitate to ask questions—we are here to support every child and family.
We hope your child has a wonderful start to their time at SVS.
If you have any questions before the start of term, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office or Ms Champanhet. During the summer holidays, emails will be monitored; however, we appreciate your patience as responses may take a little longer.
7. Appendix A - Readiness C
