We are thrilled to be named
Independent School of the Year 2025
and Independent School of the Year for Outstanding Educational Partnerships
Independent School of the Year 2025
When pupils join us in Reception, they begin their Habs Girls journey and immediately become an integral part of our vibrant community.
From the very start, we nurture curiosity and independence, fostering the awe and wonder that comes from discovery. Pastoral care is at the heart of all we do, ensuring every girl feels supported and empowered. We encourage our pupils to explore the world around them, so that by the time they leave Habs at the end of Upper Sixth, they are fully prepared to make a meaningful impact on the world.
As a school, we are exempt from the EYFS Framework. While we continue to uphold its core principles and ensure all children meet the required learning and development criteria, this exemption gives us greater flexibility to personalise our curriculum. This means we can offer additional stretch and challenge for the more able children in our community, helping them to thrive and excel.
Reception children wear full school uniform and enjoy a dedicated drop-off lane located in front of the Senior School.The school day officially begins at 8:35am with the sounding of the whistle, but you are welcome to drop your child off anytime after 8:00am. During this time, they can settle in and enjoy time in the Reception garden.
Each day is carefully structured to provide a balance of learning experiences. Children take part in whole-class sessions, small-group activities led by our teachers, and child-initiated learning opportunities. Learning happens both indoors and outdoors, ensuring a rich and varied experience every day.
Across the week, Reception pupils are taught by specialist teachers for the following subjects:
At the end of the school day, Reception students must be collected from their classroom door.
Below is an example structure of the day:
| Time | Lesson |
|---|---|
| 7.30am | Breakfast club |
| 8.00am | School grounds open |
| 8.35am - 8.45am | Registration |
| 8.45am - 9.15am | Period 0 |
| 9.15am - 9.45am | Period 1 |
| 9.45am - 10.15am | Period 2 |
| 10.15am - 10.35am | Break |
| 10.35am - 11.05am | Period 3 |
| 11.05am - 11.40am | Period 4 |
| 11.40am - 12.10pm | Period 5 |
| 12.10pm - 1.20pm | Lunch |
| 1.20pm - 1.25pm | Registration |
| 1.25pm - 1.55pm | Period 6 |
| 1.55pm - 2.25pm | Period 7 |
| 2.25pm - 2.55pm | Period 8 |
| 3.00pm - 3.30pm | Period 9 |
| 3.30pm - 5.30pm | Afterschool care available with Premier Education |
Throughout the day, your daughter will benefit from regular nutritious meals and snacks:
Please see the wraparound care section for information on our breakfast club.
There is no designated break time in Reception as the school day is child-led. However, you may send your daughter to school with an approved snack, and we also provide fresh fruit every day.
Your daughter will have lunch in our Performance Space, where they are provided with a nutritious school meal from a range of choices prepared to meet a wealth of dietary needs.
Each Reception student receives a coloured wristband. Some may wear more than one, indicating their dietary requirements:
Lunch is provided and is part of the school fees.
Before enrolling your child in any wraparound care, please speak with your child’s class teacher. They will confirm whether your daughter is ready for this step and has settled into school routines.
Our breakfast club is available from 7.30am to 8.15am in a section of the dining room. Please drop your child off at the dining room entrance at the back of the building.
If your daughter will need a school breakfast, she must arrive by 7.45am. We will then make sure she eats a suitable amount of breakfast. There is an additional charge for Breakfast Club.
Reception students can attend free after-school care in the Junior School between 3.30pm and 4.00pm. After 4.00pm after-school care is run by Premier Education and available at an additional charge and finishes at 6.00pm. There are no after-school clubs for Reception pupils.
Reception are paired with a ‘buddy’ from Year 5, who will support and help them in their first term at Habs Girls. We arrange a series of activities to help our littlest ones get to know their buddies.
Your daughter could also talk to their buddy about any worries they have.
Throughout the Junior School we use the Habs App to keep you all updated. Parents are kept informed by the newsfeed about what is happening in the classroom and across the school.
