Starting Reception

Starting Reception is an exciting milestone for your whole family. We know you probably have lots of questions about what to expect, from practical details about school day timings to how we'll support your child's transition into their first year of formal education.

We've gathered the questions families most often ask about beginning Reception at Sefton Park, along with detailed information to help you prepare – including key dates, stay-and-play sessions, and our settling-in process. If you can't find the information you need here, don't hesitate to contact our office team. We're here to support you through this important next step.

Start with our FAQs or jump straight to: Getting Ready for Reception

FAQs

Who will be in my child's class?

We try to keep friendship groups together based on the information you provided on your Bristol City Council application form. If your child attends Sefton Park Nursery, we'll also consult with you about their friendships – the children will be split equally into two groups by the Nursery team.

We can't share class lists due to privacy requirements, but if you have any specific requests about your child's placement, please let us know as soon as possible. While we'll do our best to accommodate these, we may not be able to fulfil all requests, particularly for late applications.

Who will be my child's teacher?

We know that this is really important for families, and we'll let you know as soon as possible! The process of organising classes, teachers, and support staff across the school is complex and takes time. We receive our Reception list from Bristol City Council around mid-May. You'll receive a letter soon after to inform you whether your child is in Class 1 or Class 2. You'll then be able to book in for stay-and-play sessions and one-to-one meetings in June. We'll let you know the name of your child's class and who your child's teacher will be at the induction evening in mid-June.

How many classes are in the school, and what is the class size?

We have two classes of 30 children in each year group. The nursery class is slightly larger as some children attend part-time. Including our nursery provision, we have around 405 children in our school.

What are the times of the school day?

Reception to Year 6 pupils are in school from 8:45am to 3:30pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am to 3:00pm on Fridays. Classroom doors open at 8:45am, and we ask families to arrive by 8:55am when registration begins. After 8:55am, late arrivals must sign in at the main office. The Happy Lane entrance will be open for pick-up and drop-off.

Is there before and after-school care?

Yes, we partner with Premier Education to offer after-school care for children in Reception to Year 6. This runs from 3:30 until 6:00pm Monday to Thursday (no Friday provision as school finishes earlier), and provides supervised care while children complete homework, play, and have a snack. For full details about costs and booking, please visit our Wraparound Care page.

Do you have a school uniform?

The Infant School has no uniform. Children can wear comfortable, practical clothes suitable for play and learning. Your child will also need weather-appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear.

We recommend labelling all your child's clothing, as items frequently get left behind – this will help us return them to the correct owner. Your child will also need a labelled water bottle.

What happens at lunchtime?

Reception children are entitled to a free school lunch and eat in the school hall, with support for each class from their teacher and a lunchtime supervisor. You'll be able to help your child choose their lunch before they come into class each day. For more information and menu details, visit our School Meals & Lunch Options page.

My child is not yet toilet-trained. Can you support this in school?

We'll help your child with whatever their individual needs are. We can provide support with toilet training – please let us know in advance if your child is still in nappies so that we can prepare accordingly. Being toilet-trained helps them feel more confident and independent at school.

The ERIC website has some excellent tips to help you get started.

How will I know how my child is getting on?

We have two face-to-face parent consultations per year and provide a written end-of-year report. Your child's teacher is also happy to arrange a meeting whenever you'd like to discuss your child's progress.

We use Tapestry, our online learning platform, to share photos and videos of your child's learning throughout the year. You'll learn all about Tapestry at our welcome evening in September. We also hold literacy and maths curriculum evenings in Terms 1 and 2.

How do I contact the school?

Contact us via the school office email seftonpark@bristol-schools.uk or call 0117 377 3290. You'll receive your child's teacher's email address once class assignments are confirmed.

We'll send you links to set up essential school systems that will need to be completed before September. Arbor is our main communication and payment portal where you can report absences, update personal details, and make payments for things like school trips.

What do I do if I am worried about my child?

Your child's class teacher is always the first point of contact, but phase leaders and members of the Leadership team are also available to discuss any concerns. We have an open-door approach. You're welcome to speak briefly with your child's teacher at drop-off or pick-up, or you can arrange a longer meeting if needed.

What if my child has a learning difficulty or disability?

If your child has additional needs, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. We'll offer your child an enhanced transition, supported by the phase leader and the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) team. If your child's nursery has identified your child as needing additional support, then we'll also include them as part of our enhanced transition. You can read more about SEND support at Sefton Park on our Supporting SEND page.

At Sefton Park, we understand that all children are unique. We aim to meet their needs, wherever they are on their learning journey. This includes children who may need additional support or children who may be working above their age-related expectations.

Are there extracurricular activities?

We offer a wide variety of activities before school, during school, and after school. The clubs range from paid clubs to free clubs run by teaching staff. These include dance, musical theatre, sports activities, creative clubs, wellbeing sessions, and outdoor activities that vary by term. After-school clubs are available from Reception upwards. You can see our current offerings on our Extracurricular Clubs & Activities page.

Do children automatically move into the Junior school if they attend the Infant school?

Yes. There is no need to apply to move from the Infants to the Juniors.

What is the current Ofsted grading?

The Infant School was visited in April and was graded as "good" with an "outstanding" Early Years provision (Nursery and Reception). The Junior School was visited in February 2023 and was graded as "good."

Do I need to do anything with my child before they start?

We know this is a big transition for the whole family. Stay positive and talk to your child about all the things they're looking forward to. It might be good to look at some books about starting school. We also recommend that you get your child's eyes and ears checked. We really encourage our children to be independent from the start, so chat with your child about how they're going to help get ready for school and how you're going to say goodbye in the mornings.

We'll send some more information before the holidays to support with this.

Getting Ready for Reception

School is closed over the summer holidays, but we're here to answer questions until the end of Term 6 and again from the start of Term 1.

Key Dates

Late April to early May: All families must accept a school place on the Bristol City Council website
Mid-May: Final lists from Bristol City Council sent to schools
Late May: Letter sent confirming child's class and settling in group
Mid-June: Induction evening for all reception families
Late June: Stay-and-play sessions and one-to-one meetings
Early September: Settling in timetable begins

Stay-and-Play Sessions & One-to-One Meetings

We aim to provide a range of options to best support you during this transition. We work closely with local nurseries to ensure a smooth transition for everyone.

You’ll have the chance to come and meet your child’s teacher and some of the other families at a stay-and-play session on Friday afternoons in June from 1:45 to 2:30pm. Up to two adults can accompany your child, and we kindly request that adults remain with their children throughout the session. Once you’ve received your letter confirming your child’s class (Class 1 or 2), you can book a session by calling the school office. Alternatively, you can also book your slot during the induction evening.

Children Attending Sefton Park Nursery

For children already at our Nursery, we’ll arrange a series of visits to the Reception classes during school hours in Term 6. Mr Swindale will meet with the Reception teachers to hand over key information about your child. If you feel a one-to-one meeting would be helpful, you’re more than welcome to sign up for one.

Children Attending Other Settings

If you’d like us to visit you and your child at home or at your current setting, this can be arranged with the class teacher – just let us know your preference. If it’s easier, you can book a one-to-one meeting at school instead, which children are also welcome to attend. These meetings will be held after the stay-and-play sessions in mid-to-late June and can be booked once you know your child’s class. If you already have a child at Sefton Park, please feel free to arrange a meeting directly with the Reception teacher at a time that works for you.

Settling In

At Sefton Park, we want your child’s first experiences of school to be positive and supportive. We strive to be flexible and tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of each child and family. Through our ongoing communication, visits, and meetings, we strive to ensure a smooth and open transition. We follow the Birth to 5 Matters guidance, which says:

“When transitions in the early years are managed sensitively, it lays the foundations for positive feelings towards the many other transitions children will face through life.”

For settling in, both Reception classes will be split into two groups. Your child may attend a half-day (8:45am–12:00pm) or a full-day (8:45am–3:30pm) during this time. Please speak with your child’s class teacher to determine what will work best for you. While you may feel your child is ready for full-time from the very beginning, starting in smaller groups helps all children get the extra support they need as they settle in. You’ll receive a letter confirming your child’s class and group soon.

Settling-In Schedule

Weeks 1 and 2: Both Reception classes are split into two groups (Group A and Group B). The groups attend on alternate days, with one group attending three days and the other attending two days in the first week, then switching in the second week. The exact days depend on which day of the week the term begins. We'll confirm exact days in your welcome letter.

Week 3 onwards: All children attend full-time. If your child needs more time to settle in, we can work with you to extend the gradual settling-in process until the end of the first term if needed.