Reception Classes

At Knaphill Infant School, we believe every child deserves a happy, safe, and secure start to their educational journey. Our two Reception Classes, Turtle Class and Panda Class offer caring and nurturing environments where children thrive from the very beginning.

We promote independence and creativity through wide and varied activities which the children find enjoyable, interesting and challenging. We adapt the EYFS curriculum to suit the needs of each individual child, providing them with the skills and love for lifelong learning.

Each class benefits from a thoughtfully designed Early Years classroom, inspired by the latest research from Early Excellence. These spaces promote high-quality interactions and learning through play, tailored to the developmental needs of our children.

We also share access to our engaging outdoor classroom, which has been transformed over the past year to support physical development, creativity, and exploration. A large canopy ensures year-round use, allowing children to enjoy activities such as den building, role play, large-scale construction, water and sand play, and climbing. Our garden area encourages discovery and a love of nature, where children observe seasonal changes and learn to care for the environment.

Inside, children participate in whole-class learning, small group work, and one-to-one sessions. Daily activities both adult-initiated and child-led are inspired by the children’s interests and ideas, fostering independence and creativity.

Reception children also enjoy access to shared school facilities including the Hall for PE, Woodland Enclave, Trim Trail, Piazza, Playground, Field, Learning Resource Centre, Sensory Room and Sensory Garden.

We are proud that children in the early years get off to a flying start. Our school fosters a strong sense of belonging, creating an inclusive environment where pupils and staff feel valued. The mission to empower pupils to have a bright future is at the heart of the school, and this is reflected in our broad and ambitious curriculum.

Our staff are trained well to deliver the school’s ambitious curriculum, and there are high expectations for behaviour throughout the school. Pupils talk about why tolerance is important and ways to celebrate difference, developing positive character traits such as kindness, resilience, and integrity.

Playtimes are happy occasions where children love to play together and share equipment. They are happy and enjoy playing with their friends and are delightful to talk to; polite, confident, and articulate.

We provide a welcoming environment where staff have positive relationships with pupils, and our community is often described as a ‘fantastic school community which feels like a family.’ We set clear expectations for behaviour, helping children to meet them in a caring and compassionate manner.

At Knaphill Lower School, we are determined that every pupil will learn the knowledge and skills they need to be well prepared for their next steps. Pupils enjoy coming to school and attendance is high, reflecting the joy and enthusiasm that fills our classrooms every day.