Reception

Welcome to St John Vianney’s Reception Classes! We are delighted that you have chosen SJV for your child and the Reception Team are having a wonderful year teaching your 4 and 5 year olds!
WelcomeThe Early Years at SJV - Intent Statement

Welcome to Reception

Welcome to SJV Early Years and Class RM!

 

My name is Mrs Manning, and I am delighted to be your child’s Reception teacher. Alongside my role in Class RM, I lead EYFS, Phonics and Early Reading, and Maths across the school. My name is Mrs Manning, and I am delighted to be your child’s Reception teacher. Alongside my role in Class RM, I lead EYFS, Phonics and Early Reading, and Maths across the school. Having taught children from Reception through to Year 6, I understand the importance of building strong foundations from the very start of a child’s school journey. In Class RM, children are nurtured within a warm, engaging, and inspiring environment where they feel safe, valued, and excited to learn.

Reception is a truly special year, filled with opportunities to explore, discover, create, and grow. Every child is unique, and our curriculum is carefully designed to provide rich learning experiences that develop confidence, independence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. 

Our classroom is a place where curiosity is celebrated, achievements are recognised, and every child is supported to reach their full potential. A strong emphasis is placed on communication and language, early reading, writing, and mathematical understanding, whilst ensuring that learning remains enjoyable, meaningful, and inspiring. Children are encouraged to take risks, solve problems, ask questions, and develop the confidence to become independent learners.

A strong partnership between home and school helps children feel happy, confident, and ready to learn. By working together, we can celebrate successes, overcome challenges, and support every child to thrive. I look forward to working together with you and your child throughout the year, sharing achievements, celebrating milestones, and creating many happy memories as they grow in confidence and develop a love of learning during this special and important stage of their school journey.

 

Class RG – Mrs Greaves

I am delighted to be your child’s reception class teacher as they start their exciting new journey at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School. This is my third year of teaching here and I am excited to share in your child’s learning and growth.

 

I am truly passionate about nurturing, supporting and caring for your children and developing them in a positive, safe and inclusive environment. We will learn through play, creativity, imagination and curiosity. I pride myself on being an open communicator who builds strong and positive relationships with the children in my classroom, which is a safe space for all. I believe this will enable children to thrive and be confident to fully express themselves, using their own voice to convey their thoughts, feelings and opinions. I also look forward to working alongside you to ensure these relationships are kept strong and that your child is fulfilled in all aspects of school life.

Outside of the classroom, I am a mum to my two daughters and an avid musicals fan! I love to sing, dance and act as well as spending days on the beach or having a picnic with my family. I also absolutely love to bake! I can’t wait for this exciting year ahead and making a lasting impression on your child’s journey.

Early Years Curriculum

At SJV, we deliver a rich and engaging Early Years curriculum that is fully child-centred, placing each child’s interests, needs and development at the heart of everything we do. Our continuous themes—such as “Me and My…”—run throughout the year and are carefully designed to grow with the children, supporting their progress in communication, understanding and self-awareness. We follow a mastery approach in maths, embracing the philosophy of “go slow to go fast”, which allows children to build deep, secure knowledge before moving on. Our phonics teaching uses the Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme, with children taught in ability groups to ensure targeted learning and rapid progress. In Religious Education, we follow a series of branches that reflect the journey of the liturgical year, helping children connect with faith and values in a meaningful way. These approaches nurtures confident, curious learners who are well-prepared for the next stage of their education.

Reception Gallery