28th November 2025

Reception - Concept Cat

This school year, we are very excited to be introducing Concept Cat to our children in Reception. The project is supported by the Educational Endowment Foundation and the Department of Education.

‘Concept Cat’ is a whole class method for teaching early verbal concepts. It was developed by two leading experts in the field Stephen Parsons and Anna Branagan and is part of their ‘Word Aware’ approach. The teaching process involves acting out a short story (with a toy cat), singing songs and providing play based opportunities for children.

Families are encouraged to be involved too - please look out for our concept of the week.

The Early Years are when children learn so much about the world around them. Talking and understanding are the bridge to this development, allowing children to interact with others and learn more. For example, when a child learns a word such as ‘first’, they can talk about how objects, people and letters can be placed in order.

This week our word is ‘over’. The children have enjoyed acting out the word in a variety of ways.

“Concept cat is jumping over the elephant.” Neriah

“I am stepping over Isaac.” Kenzo

“I love Concept Cat, he teaches us new words” Summer

Year 2 - DT

Year 2 are excited to have recently started their new Design Technology topic all about puppets! We have been exploring different materials and styles of puppets and connecting our learning to our science work. This week, the children began designing their own creations, inspired by the story characters we’ve been reading in English. Here we are in action, exploring different materials!

This week’s Book Recommendations

We are delighted to be welcoming Dr Opoz to the Governing Body as our new Parent Governor. Dr Opoz is father to Ahmet in Year 5 and Fatima in Year 3, and so is very familiar with life in Four Oaks from a parent perspective. He is also an experienced University Lecturer and will be able to bring an exciting perspective to our school. At our next Governors meeting we have asked some Year 6 representatives to talk to the Governors, including Dr Opoz, about their experience of attending ‘Into Uni’ and what they have learned about University opportunities they can explore in future life.

We believe that it is never too young for children to start exploring study and career opportunities, so in addition to Into Uni, we invite visitors into school such as a dental nurse to talk to Reception and our Year 3 are always excited to invite an archaeologist to share his role and his findings from the Stone Age to Iron Age.

We encourage ‘Curious Minds’ in Four Oaks. Members of our Pupil Leadership team will be researching interesting information to share. Look out for our ‘Curious Minds in Four Oaks’ posters that will be displayed on the family noticeboards at the front and back of school. They will cover careers, an inspirational quote, a recent news article and a picture to make you wonder!

Have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Robinson

Absence: It is your responsibility to phone the school office by 9am each day your child is absent. Please leave a voicemail if there is no answer.

TERM TIME HOLIDAYS WILL RESULT IN FINES.