Hello and welcome!
Starting school is an exciting step in your child’s life. We understand that it can also be scary – and so we have designed this page with you and your child in mind – to help to give you a feel for our school and help your children familiarise themselves with the setting and key staff as much as possible before they start with us.
Background
Buckstones Primary School was opened as a one-form entry primary school in 1976 and was originally designed as an open plan school. In recent years the school has had extensive internal alterations and extensions which have resulted in a more traditional classroom layout for the majority of the school. The school has a purpose built I.T. suite, large hall/dining area which also serves as a gymnasium and a centre for extra-curricular activities.
Reception
Children start their school journey with us in the Reception class. We have a lovely big open-plan Reception classroom with lots of different areas and activities to choose from. We also have our own outdoor area joined to our classroom, which the children can access freely throughout independent learning times.
Meet the staff:
There are two full-time members of staff in Reception:
Mrs. Pearson (class teacher) Mrs. Hall (teaching assistant)
Meet Patch, our wonderful Reception class mascot: Here is Fudge, our beautiful school pet:
Video messages from the key staff in school for the new children:
Watch a video of our wonderful Reception class in action:
In addition to the regular learning opportunities and experiences, the children in Reception also take part in weekly Forest School sessions, where they build confidence and independence skills and a respect for nature and for each other.
The Outdoor Areas
The school has large grounds, including three hard surface play areas, a grass field, nature paths and a nature area and pond. We also have covered areas in the Infant playground and the Junior playground. The children have a trim trail, seating areas, a fast play area, a stage, football walls and nets, and basketball nets to play with.
Video of the outdoor space
Lunch Times
Nutritious, hot meals are cooked on-site and served to the children in our school hall (free to all children in Reception and key stage 1).
*Starting school, transition arrangements*
During week 1 and 2, whilst the children are attending on a part-time basis, they will enter and exit through the main school entrance,
at the front of school.
From week 3, when the children are in full-time, they will use our own Reception class entrance, around the side of school,
through the infant playground.
Frequently Asked Questions:
*Does the uniform have to have the official school badge on it?
No. School uniform can either have the school badge on it or it can be plain.
(Royal blue cardigan/jumper, yellow/white polo shirt, grey trousers/skirt/dress, blue/yellow checked summer dress (optional), grey socks/tights, black velcro shoes.
* Do the children need an indoor and an outdoor P.E. kit?
Yes please. Both are kept in the same pump bag on their peg in school and we will send them home at the end of every half term to be washed.
*Is there a set uniform/colour for the outdoor P.E. kit?
No. The outdoor P.E. kit can be any colour, They just need to have a tracksuit top/hoody, a pair of tracksuit/jogging bottoms and a pair of velcro trainers. Please make sure everything is labelled with their name! 🙂
*What do the children need to bring with them each day?
Every day the children just need to bring with them their book bag and a water bottle (containing WATER ONLY please).
Please make sure it is clearly labelled with the child’s name.
*We will NOT be doing P.E. or forest school during the first two weeks in September as this will purely be a settling in period. Please just make sure that P.E. kits and forest school kits are sent in prior to the children being in school full-time (week 3). Thank you 🙂
For further information click on the links below:
School Prospectus
Reception Booklet For Parents 2022
We can’t wait to meet you!
If you have any questions please contact the school office and a member of staff will get back to you as soon as possible: leanne.marsden@buckstones.oldham.sch.uk
Thank you 🌈