Hello from me!
Just a little introduction, I am the Deputy Head of The Wroxham Primary, in Potters Bar. We are a one form entry Primary School with a Nursery. We work on the principle that our children are the most important part of the school and as a result, we include them in their learning. For example the children help work out where we are going to go with our topics and they select the challenge of work they feel confident with, which makes for a great learning environment and one where the children feel valued. The school has moved from Special Measures in 2003 to Outstanding in in 2006, where it has stayed ever since.
That is just a little bit of background information, now onto the main event! I emailed Rowan Davies, who suggested that I posted on here, so I hope that is ok?
As some of you know the Government has decided to bring in a new test for our six year olds in England, to check their phonic knowledge. We at our school and many other organisations (see list below) are against this idea, as it goes against everything that we believe in.
We feel that this test, which will be reported to OFSTED, will narrow the curriculum for the children in Nursery and Reception, as some schools will feel pressure to ensure that the children are ready for the test in Year 1. This is not a good thing as it will result in putting some of our children off reading, as not every child accesses reading through this method.
We have started a campaign, which is gathering momentum, with our base being readingshouldbefun.wordpress.com
On the Blog you will find lots of information about the test, in addition to this you will find a short video showing the real meaning of reading (which does include phonics, just not only phonics).
We would love to have the support of Mumsnet, as we know that you are key to our children's learning (we only have them 6 hours a day!).
I would be interested to hear from people and try to answer any of your questions. I will also direct some of the people who are backing the campaign to this site, as they have additional information to myself.
Below is a statement from The Cambridge Primary Review, which details their position, but I would like to emphasise that we do not have a problem with the teaching of phonics, just the fact that our 6 yr olds don't need to be tested, or have the data sent to OFSTED.
Thanks in advance
Roger Billing
One of the key recommendations of the Cambridge Primary Review, the most comprehensive research into English primary education for the last forty years, recommends that children should have an entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. Research evidence in this country and internationally shows that talking to and with young children is of great developmental importance. Telling stories, listening to stories and enjoying books is a vital part of learning throughout primary school. The following video clip shows that enjoying high quality literature at primary school is essential and that learning to read should be a varied and rewarding process.
Some of the Groups backing the Campaign
David Reedy ? President, UKLA
John Coe ? Chairman, National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
Alison Peacock ? National Network Leader for the Cambridge Primary Review (CPR)
John Hickman ? Chair, National Association of Advisers for English (NAAE)
Russell Hobby ? General Secretary, National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT)
Christine Blower ? General Secretary, National Union of Teachers (NUT)
Professor Trisha Maynard ? Chair of The Association for the Professional Development of Early Year Educators (TACTYC)
Bill Goodhand ? Chair of The National Association for Small Schools (NASS)
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.
Primary education
The Phonics Test for 6 Year Olds
193 replies
WroxhamSchool · 25/06/2011 18:13
OP posts:
veritythebrave ·
25/06/2011 18:49
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.