spelling tests in reception

[doughnut44]

is this normal? my ds doesn't have them but my friends ds does. I find it strange because a lot of the children can't read yet.

[MaybeBentley]

Is a Independent or a super competitive state school? Seems very at odds with Early Years curriculum.

[hels71]

My DD has them (state reception) She has 5 words a week. She is brialliant at learning them for the test...usually gets 5/5 but rarely rememebers to use the correct spelling in her own writing...

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

DS1 has spelling tests and he is in reception. Normal - but good - state infants school.

[MaybeBentley]

I'm especially after all the research quoted on tes about how tests don't improve spelling and most infant schools have a policy of not testing.

[AuntieStella]

None of mine did (and two were before roll out of EYFS).

All of them started in year 1, with 10 words a week.

[mrz]

I'm also shocked that some schools still work this way ... what a waste of time!

[simpson]

Yes DD has spelling tests each week.

10 words a week to learn and not the easiest of words either for a reception child.

[numbum]

Spelling tests are a complete waste of time! Spelling tests in reception

[tanfastic]

Nope, none here but he would really struggle if he did.

[simpson]

Not sure if they are a waste of time, I am kind of on the fence with this as DS (yr3) started weekly spelling tests in yr1 always got 10/10 and then promptly forgot them afterwards....

But DD does seem to remember her words she has been tested on and will spell them correctly in her everyday writing.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

Yes, 10 words a week here, 6 words a week for some I gather. Seems to be ok. DD1 does alright at it anyway. Being new to schools I just assumed it was done everywhere. We're at a very good state school.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

DS1 remembers his spellings after he has done them.

When we practise at home I use it as an opportunity to talk about the sounds and think about how different words are spelt, so that it is more about the process of learning how to spell rather than the specific words, and also to practise handwriting.

So not a waste of time for us.

[FossilMum]

DS started getting them about a month ago; 6 words a week. He informs me that not all his class have them yet; I have no idea whether any of the others started getting them before him.

State 'Outstanding' school.

[BabiesAreLikeBuses]

No tests for reception in our state school, glad they don't am finding it hard enough to do the reading and short weekend homework!

[IrenePollack]

Yes sort of, but they are set for literacy, and so not all of the cohort. The children are given spellings to learn associated with their topic which they are expected to learn so that they can use them in future.

[miffybun73]

Why a waste of time?

My DS has them, only 5 simple words a week. State primary.

[chauffeurmummy]

My dd started having spellings for the last few weeks of Reception - however this was an introduction ready for yr 1 so the children were used to them and knew what was expected - she goes to a prep school.

[IvanaCake]

Yes they started giving them spellings after half term to prepare them for year one. It's only 4 words a week.