Scottish P2 - questions for teachers/parents - DD starting for the first time

[jubles]

We are currently in Africa but planning to be back in Glasgow from early April, and will be putting DD1 (6) in school for the first time. She will be due to go into P2. We've been home educating here as the school options haven't been that great (American system school with exorbitant fees but poor academic levels or local schools where they beat the children for getting questions wrong and don't really teach anything). I have been happy with how she has been doing, but as I find the CfE pretty vague, I would love to get an idea of what I should make sure she has covered before starting for the summer term of P2.

She's currently reading in about book band 8/purple, if that helps. Her handwriting is pretty neat as she is starting to write joined up a little. She can have a good stab at spelling words phonetically (comes up with some "interesting" spellings that way) and knows some high frequency spellings too. She is quite keen on Maths, and can count, recognise, and write numbers up to 100; comfortably subtract and add within 20 (and slightly beyond, eg. 18+6); understands multiplication as sequential adding/groups of; knows 1x and 2x tables; can count in 2s, 5s, and 10s; knows about odd and even numbers; basic symmetry; reading and making simple bar charts/pictograms; comfortable with tens and units; sorting; recognising/describing a variety of 2D/3D shapes.

Anyway, I'd really love to have an idea of what goes on in the first two terms of P2 to help get her ready. Also would love ideas on preparing her for what it's like in a classroom so her expectations are realistic.

Could any P2 teachers/parents chip in here?

[jubles]

PS. We do also do science, history/geography, art/crafts etc, but imagine these vary more from school to school, which is why I didn't include specifics of what we do.

[tabulahrasa]

It's vague because there is no set term by term curriculum in Scotland (well it is even vaguer than that, but that's one reason) so while they do cover all the things you've listed exactly when and how they teach things is decided by schools and individual teachers.

So what goes on in P2 isn't exactly the same - sometimes even within the same school.

[nightswift]

My p2 is level 7 reading and in the second highest group. Not writing joined up but confident with phonetic spelling( though it is pretty wonky at times) and does a fair bit of high frequency words. She sounds like she will fit in fine and probably be ahead of her peers. Most kids would start p2 at reading band 5 or 6.

Getting a school place may be the tricker option. They normally start to allocate the out of catchment places in March ( though i would check with council) and so you might find that your local primary is full come April - though again your council might have a policy of leaving a place for re locators- again check with them. They need to find you a school place but it may not be at the school you want if your not in catchment to enrol.

[jubles]

Thanks, that's helpful. Good to know that she's similar to other kids in P2

We can't really apply until we know where exactly we will be living, but that is the plan for the next couple of months. We will be putting her mid-year so really don't know how it will work out. Also need to apply for DD2 to start P1 in August.

[nightswift]

Im afraid to say for P1 the outlook is even bleaker - it is very likely your local school will be full for the August P1 intake by April time if it is in the least bit desirable. Do you have any idea where you will be living? If so i would phone the council now and find out the current situation for a P2 starting mid year in April - yes the situation will be different then but it will give you an idea of wait lists and also have a chat about P1 admission after normal enrolment - which is January i believe for Glasgow.

[jubles]

We really don't know. We are relocating because I'm expecting a baby due at the end of June (not safe to deliver here). Surely they must have ways of dealing with people who suddenly have to move? Council will be either Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, or East Renfrewshire.

[jubles]

The point of mentioning the baby, is that this wasn't something we lots of time to plan.

[nightswift]

Please don't think I'm critising your plans - i moved after p1 enrollment and so had to do a late application too. It all worked put okay but it is good to know the system so you can make sure you are prepared. If you already have a preference for an area- are you thinking Bearsden/ Milngavie, Netherlee, Muirend/Giffnock/Newton Mearns? Then call East Ren or East Dumbartonshire and have a general chat so you have some more in to work with.

[leemur]

I have a p2 dc and I agree with nightswift that your dd sounds like she should be fine, probably ahead.
I'm not sure how the admissions work exactly but I have heard comments at my dc school that they keep some spaces for people who move into the catchment area e.g. over the summer. I'm not in a hugely oversubscribed area though.

[jubles]

We'd prefer areas of either East Ren or East Dun that are closer to the city and with reasonable public transport. Giffnock would be fine, Bearsden, Lenzie. Maybe Clarkston.

Calling from here isn't too easy so may try to find someone to email, or see if a friend can get any info for us.

[ASAS]

I'm in Glasgow City Council and while I'd like to extend and advance welcome to 'Glasgow' may I gently advise you don't move into the Glasgow City Council area. Of course, if you want GCC please buy my house.

Good luck with it all.

[jubles]

I taught (secondary) in Glasgow City Council and would like to avoid it if at all possible. We own a flat in GCC, but have decided to rent elsewhere for the time being rather than kick out our tenants and have to use the local school there!