Reception Intake 2026

We are currently preparing to welcome our new Reception cohort who will be joining us in September 2026.

Parents and carers will be informed of their child’s school allocation on 16 April 2026.

Following this, we will contact families by email within two weeks of the allocation date to ask you to confirm your child’s place at St Peter’s.

Our Parent Welcome Evening for new Reception families normally takes place in June. While this year’s session will be confirmed closer to the time, we have uploaded the information from last year’s Welcome Evening below for you to view in the meantime.

We also have updated guidance for parents on helping your child get ready to start school. This includes tips on building independence, establishing routines, and supporting a smooth and confident transition into Reception.

 

Getting ready for school

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Phonics and Early Reading at Our School

Children begin learning phonics early in their Reception year. To support this important stage, we warmly invite all parents and carers to attend our Introduction to Phonics and Early Reading workshop once your child has settled into their new class. This session will provide valuable insight into how we teach phonics and how you can support your child’s reading journey at home. Therefore, we kindly ask that you do not feel the need to begin teaching phonics before your child starts school, as we will guide them step by step through this exciting learning process.

 

The Importance of Reading Together at Home

Sharing stories, rhymes, and books with your child at home is one of the most powerful ways to support their early learning. Reading together helps build language skills, sparks imagination, and strengthens your bond. Whether it’s a bedtime story, a favourite picture book, or spotting words in everyday life, these moments create a strong foundation for communication, curiosity, and a lifelong love of reading.

 Top 10 Books for Ages 4–5 to Read at Home with Parents

  1. "The Gruffalo" by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
    A rhyming classic with a clever mouse and a not-so-scary monster.

  2. "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" by Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury
    A rhythmic adventure that’s perfect for acting out together.

  3. "Owl Babies" by Martin Waddell & Patrick Benson
    A gentle story about separation anxiety and reassurance.

  4. "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle
    Repetitive and colourful – great for early readers and pattern recognition.

  5. "Peace at Last" by Jill Murphy
    A humorous bedtime story that parents and children both relate to.

  6. "The Tiger Who Came to Tea" by Judith Kerr
    A charming, imaginative tale that sparks curiosity and conversation.

  7. "You Choose" by Pippa Goodhart & Nick Sharratt
    A brilliant book for developing language and imagination through choices.

  8. "Each Peach Pear Plum" by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
    A rhyming “I spy” book that introduces fairy tale characters.

  9. "Come on, Daisy!" by Jane Simmons
    A sweet story about listening, independence, and staying safe.

  10. "Look Up!" by Nathan Bryon & Dapo Adeola
    A modern, inspiring story about a girl who dreams of being an astronaut.