Welcome Video
Download: Welcome Letter – Reception 2026 [PDF]
Welcome to Reception – September 2026
We are delighted that your child will be joining our Reception class in September 2026. Starting school is a very special milestone for both children and families, and we are committed to making this transition as positive, supportive and exciting as possible.
At our school, we believe that being school ready is about much more than academic skills. It is about children feeling confident, independent and ready to engage with new experiences. The Department for Education highlights that school readiness provides children with the essential foundations for future success, including communication, independence, self-regulation and the ability to build relationships.
Recent guidance from the Department for Education (2026) places strong emphasis on children being supported through a shared partnership between home and school, recognising that the best outcomes are achieved when families, early years settings and schools work closely together.
Working Together: Home and School Partnership
We know that parents and carers play the most important role in a child’s early development. Research shows that a child’s relationship with their family has the greatest influence on their learning and wellbeing.
By working together, we can ensure your child feels secure, confident and ready to thrive. Throughout the transition process, we will:
- Get to know your child as an individual
- Share important information with you
- Support your child’s emotional and social development
- Provide opportunities for you to engage with school life
The DfE guidance also highlights the importance of building strong relationships with families and offering opportunities such as home visits and transition activities to support children starting school.
What Does “School Ready” Look Like?
Being school ready includes a range of skills that help children settle happily into school life. These include:
- Communicating their needs and feelings
- Listening and following simple instructions
- Developing independence (e.g. toileting, dressing, eating)
- Playing and interacting with other children
- Managing simple routines
These skills develop over time and every child is different. Our role is to support each child from their own starting point.
How You Can Help at Home
There are many simple and enjoyable ways you can support your child at home, including:
- Encouraging independence, such as putting on coats or opening lunchboxes
- Talking together regularly and building vocabulary through conversation and stories
- Practising listening and following simple instructions through play
- Providing opportunities to play with other children
- Establishing routines, such as bedtime and morning routinesv
Small, everyday activities can make a big difference in helping your child feel confident and prepared for school.
A Warm Welcome to All Families
We are proud to be an inclusive school where all families are warmly welcomed and valued. Every child and every family is unique, and we are here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions, concerns or additional needs, please do not hesitate to speak with us.
Transition Information
Copies of key paperwork will be shared with families either:
- During your home visit prior to your child starting in September, or
- At the New Reception Parents Meeting on 29th June
- Please look out for further details.
Take a Look Around
We have included a short video on this page which gives you a tour of our Reception provision. This will help you and your child become familiar with the environment and begin to feel excited about starting school.
We look forward to meeting you and working with you to educate your children.
Headteacher’s Message
Dear Parents / Carers,
Let me introduce myself to those families new to St Matthew’s; my name is Mrs Claire Sime, I have the privilege of being Head teacher across the primary school of St Matthew’s. I am delighted that you have decided to send your child/ children to our school.
In St Matthew’s we understand that choosing the right school for your child is important, each child is unique and has their own characteristics and needs. Parents/ Carers must be confident that the school will suit their child. Our school is warm, friendly atmosphere, Gospel Values are embedded in everything we do. We have incredible happy children, a dedicated staff who provide a comprehensive curriculum which is exciting and fun, enriched through first hand experiences. We are very well supported by our parents, governors, friends and the parish community.
Our mission statement “Love, Learn and Shine, together with Jesus” firmly underpins our aims and values for developing the whole child at St Matthew’s. We ensure our learning is irresistible, challenging, fun and purposeful and aim to give our children a fulfilling Catholic education which stays with them for life.
Children are at the heart of all we believe, we have high standards of all our children and ensure that each child reaches his/ her maximum potential. St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School gives all children the chance to be well taught, well-mannered children.
Your child’s experience will be most successful when there is a real partnership between home and school: we value all contributions from parents/ carers and know that you know them best. Our team of highly trained professionals will do everything to ensure that your child/ children have the very best start in school and that they are happy and secure. Communication is essential and we encourage you to get to know the EYFS staff when dropping off and picking up.
Please return all the paperwork in this list below to school at your earliest convenience. I look forward to a long successful relationship, looking forward to meeting you all.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Claire Sime
Headteacher
Information
View our School Prospectus on our Prospectus page
View our Term Dates on our Term Dates page
Download: Reception Information Booklet 2026-2027 [PDF]
Download: School Uniform 2026 [PDF]
Download: Preparing Your Child for School [PDF]
Download: GSPS – Use of Childcare Vouchers [PDF]
Download: Wraparound Care Leaflet [PDF]
Useful Information
Download: Ready for School – BSR Hub [PDF]
Download: Scavenger Hunt [PDF]
Download: Starting Reception Conversation Cards [PDF]
Important Forms
Download: Emergency Contact Form 2026-2027 [DOCX]
Download: Home Visit Form 2026 [DOCX]
Policies
You can view our policies on our Policies page.