Junior School Early Years

at Bradford Grammar School

Reception and Year 1

From September 2024, Bradford Grammar Junior School has started to welcome Reception and Year 1 pupils.

 
Welcome to our Clock House Early Years building, an exciting expansion of the Junior School which welcomes children from Reception to Year 1.

Our fantastic Early Years building, completed in Summer 2024, transformed our natural outdoor spaces for all pupils and includes a mud kitchen, construction area, woodland exploration area, treehouse, and outdoor performance space.

We believe that the foundation of a lifelong love for learning begins in the Early Years. Our dedicated Early Years building is a vibrant, nurturing space designed specifically for Reception and Year 1 children. Here, your child will take their first steps into formal education in a supportive and engaging environment tailored to their unique developmental needs.

Year 1 Junior School development

Frequently Asked Questions

Our fantastic new early years building is purposefully located between the existing Clock House building and our woodland zone and is home to our pupils in Reception (age 4-5) and Year 1 (age 5-6).

The new building is spacious, light, and modern, while remaining in keeping with the existing campus. It comprises two purpose-built classrooms, a lobby with an entrance space, a multi-purpose area for dining, a kitchen, and wrap-around care. It also features a designated play space with free-flow access to an EYFS outdoor provision. The building’s close proximity to Clock House ensures strong connections across the entire Junior School.

In Reception, our curriculum is based on the Early Years Framework and includes areas of continuous provision for the children to use every day. Firm roots are planted for academic growth with a focus on high-quality English and maths development, while ensuring a broad curriculum is maintained. Reception children at Clock House also benefit from specialist teaching in areas such as music, languages, and sport.

Our Year 1 children benefit from a thematic approach that nurtures and develops the seeds of learning sown during the previous school year. The themes change each term, enabling an innovative and creative approach to learning that engages and enthuses our youngest learners. Year 1 pupils enjoy the full array of National Curriculum subjects, with some, like mathematics, delivered discretely. Specialist teaching, which is a hallmark of Clock House, continues to be a regular part of the Year 1 timetable.

Extra-curricular activities are a huge part of Clock House life and are available to all pupils in the Junior School including Reception. The number of clubs will increase as pupils move up through the School to allow for important developmental play. Clubs for our youngest children include sports, creative and special interest provision. The majority of our clubs take place within the school day and are included in fees. The activities on offer change termly to allow pupils to experience a range of opportunities.

Our specialist catering team offers a range of balanced meals throughout the week, with plenty to tempt even the pickiest of eaters. Dietary requirements are carefully considered, and children in Reception and Year 1 enjoy their lunch in their own allocated dining space with their own adapted menu within the new building. Families can choose a school meal at a small additional cost, in line with our competitive fees, or children may bring their own packed lunch to enjoy alongside their friends.

Our high-quality wrap-around provision continues to offer flexible support for families of pupils from Reception to Year 6. Early morning care operates from 7:30am to 8:30am, free of charge. During this time, children are supervised by a dedicated team of primary specialists in age-appropriate spaces. Breakfast is available at a small charge in the new Reception/Year 1 building for younger children. Meanwhile, Year 5 and 6 pupils continue to enjoy breakfast in the main school dining hall, as part of their preparation for Senior School life.

After Care is available from 3:20pm to 6:00pm during term time. The service is open to all Clock House children and is free until 4:00pm, to support families with children across the school. After 4:00pm, a charge is applied.

Children enjoy a range of engaging activities, including indoor and outdoor play, crafts, and games. Children staying beyond 4:00pm are provided with a drink and snack and are supported with their homework, as appropriate.

Clock House is an academically selective setting which understands that young children demonstrate potential in a range of ways. Assessments for our youngest children will be carried out by an experienced Early Years professional and be tailored to their age and development. Our assessment process is designed to evaluate a child’s aptitude for learning, potential for academic growth and personal and social development. We will also liaise with the child’s current school or setting.

Children will be invited to attend school with their parents/carers, predominantly in the spring term, although on a needs basis individual assessments are welcomed at other points in the school year.

In line with our current offering, our Key Stage 1 and Reception children will benefit from our lowest fee. For further details on fees please visit our admissions and fees and assisted places page.

Early Years Gallery

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