Reception General report comments
Reception reports are often a child's first ever school report, and parents read them with a lot of emotion and hope. These comments are written to be warm, honest and focused on the whole child rather than just academic progress.
8 example comments across 3 levels, plus 6 next steps. Type a name below to fill in every comment.
Strong progress, securely at the expected level
[Pupil] has had a truly wonderful first year at school. They have settled brilliantly, made lovely friendships and approach every part of the day with curiosity and enthusiasm. It has been a real joy to have them in Reception.
[Pupil] is a bright and curious learner who has made outstanding progress this year. They love books, take an interest in everything around them and ask the kind of questions that tell you there is a very active mind at work.
[Pupil] has blossomed this year in every sense. Academically they are well ahead of where we would expect at this stage, but what stands out even more is the kindness and warmth they bring to everything they do.
At the expected level of development
[Pupil] has had a really positive first year at school. They have settled well, grown in confidence and are making good progress across all areas of learning. It has been lovely to see how much they have come on since September.
[Pupil] has had a happy and productive year in Reception. They enjoy all areas of learning, particularly creative activities and outdoor play, and are developing well both academically and socially.
[Pupil] is a cheerful and willing learner who has made good progress this year. They are building confidence in their reading and beginning to write words and sentences independently, which is a really exciting milestone.
Emerging: still working towards the expected level
[Pupil] has had a happy year in Reception and has grown in confidence. They are making progress with the support they receive and always come into school with a smile. We look forward to seeing them continue to blossom in Year 1.
[Pupil] has settled into school life really well and approaches everything with a positive attitude. They are making steady progress and are well supported. Continuing to share books and practise letter sounds at home will make a big difference over the summer.
Reception general next steps
Finish a comment with one specific, achievable target. Parents find these the most useful line in a report.
- Grow in independence with dressing and tidying up.
- Take turns and share with friends.
- Practise letter sounds every day.
- Count objects carefully, touching each one once.
- Talk about their feelings and ask for help.
- Share a story at home every day.
How to use these comments
Replace [Pupil] with the child's first name and adjust any detail that does not fit your class or school style. These comments are designed to be a solid starting point, not a finished product. The best report comments are the ones where you have added something specific about that child: a particular achievement, a moment you remember, a challenge they have worked through.
If you want to generate comments that are already specific to your pupils, Staffroom does exactly that. Add your notes about each child, choose a tone, and the comments it generates will be genuinely personal rather than adapted from a template.