Moving to UK and need some advice

[NZtoUKschools]

Me and my DD are moving to the UK soon and I'd like some advice about apps/books that might be useful.

My DD was born in Nov 2011 and I think that means she'll be in yr6 this year, Yr7 in Sept 2023. Is that right?

I've looked at the KS2 papers on the gov.uk website and don't have any concerns about english/grammar etc, but think she might be behind in maths.

What are the best online sites/apps or books I could use to get her up to speed with maths?

Your dd is a month younger than mine, the same side of September, yes she'll be in Y6.

DD uses TTRocks Stars, Spelling Shed and Bedrock for SATS practice. I think you might need to pay for them - dd had logins from school.

You can also buy revision books/practice papers from Amazon SATs Maths and English Practice Papers: Ages 10-11 (for the 2023 tests) amzn.eu/d/5aDTx0q eg:here]]

Some others KS2 Year 6 SATs: Maths SAT Buster Book 1 Bundle - includes answers (for the 2023 tests) amzn.eu/d/5JIlHu1

You need to consider that the closing date for secondary school applications has now closed, so you may be allocated a school that is not of your choosing

That's brilliant, thanks everyone.

Good luck with the move.
Y6 is the last year of primary school in England* (Wales, Scotland and NI have different year names) , with children moving to secondary school for Y7 in September 2023. You have just missed the secondary school application deadline for the main 2023 intake (it was 31 Oct). Once you are in the UK and have a permanent address, you'll need to make a late application. I am no expert on this at all. Your local authority will have a procedure, and there are many MNers out there who might be able to advise on how to influence your choices. In England you don't just go to your nearest school !

It might be worth considering secondary school distances/catchments when choosing a primary school, although depending where you are, you may not get much choice.

*unless you are in one of the very few areas that still has middle schools.

I moved back to the UK when my DD's were nine and twelve. Despite my best efforts they were really, really behind educationally. My oldest went into year seven and on her first day had every single subject for the first time ever. RE, French, science, and history. However she was completely fine and caught up quite quickly.

It was the younger one who found it more difficult as primary school so intense and it took her a full two years to catch up to where she would have been.

Another couple of questions! Are the tests done on paper or computer? Is there a handwriting test?

Thanks again everyone. My company will pay for us to go private if we can't find a suitable school place. They move people to England all the time, so hopefully they know what they're doing.

That's interesting about the younger one struggling and the older one going straight into year 7 being ok.

I am worried she will be behind, but luckily she's doing really well in most areas. It's maths and handwriting that are their weakest.

Yes, I hadn't been expecting it to be honest. I thought the younger one would be fine and the older On my way! would be completely out of her depth but there is such a big difference between primary and secondary for everyone so she just sort of blended in.

Handwriting isn't going to be an issue. My dd just abandoned her terrible Victoria handwriting scheme writing as soon as the plane landed and picked up cursive quite easily.

whiterosemaths.com/homelearning

Look here for maths. There is a drop down menu to change the year group.

I find the CGP books to be very good. You can probably get them electronically via their website if posting is too slow/expensive.

On schooling though bear in mind most private schools have their applications closing shortly. So I would push the relocation agents very hard NOW. Else you really disadvantage yourself options.

This sort of thing:
www.cgpbooks.co.uk/primary-books/ks2/maths/m6sqb21-new-ks2-maths-targeted-study-and?c=28213761

DD's school is really pushing that handwriting matters, but that could just be their agenda. They did 3 years ago too, when ds was in Y6, but his SATS were cancelled for Covid.

I believe the SATS are traditional paper and pen exams.

Yes handwriting is still v.important in year 6. SATs are pen and paper still

Thanks again everyone. Is there a standard handwriting style across all schools?

Yes, cursive

Not completely true.

DD (Ofsted 'Outstanding' primary and secondary state schools in London) has never been taught cursive. She printed until end of Y5 when she moved completely to touch typing (severely dyslexic and with hypermobile fingers).

Schools outside London seem to be much keener on teaching cursive. Schools can choose whatever system they like.

Private schools may well want your children to sit exams, especially if they are selective secondaries. You might want to look into prepping for that.

Handwriting is a thing in primary schools. Once they get to secondary, as long as it is legible, they don't really care too much.