What changes can I expect from Reception to Year 1?

[Duvunder]

I know this will vary widely from school to school but could anyone tell me what were the main things they noticed? I'm thinking about all aspects not just the academic work. Thanks!

These all depend on the school, but in general

• take more (or sole) responsibility for sorting self out on arrival (e.g. taking coat off, putting lunch box away)

• less or no choice in what activities they do

• day more structured - limited free play time

• more time spent listening to the teacher (though they build up over the year)

• expectation that work will involve listening to input from teacher and then applying to own work

• children will likely be in differentiated groups for reading, literacy, maths

• may see more "grown up" reward/consequence schemes

• introduction of golden time

• assembly more frequently

• more homework

• might be higher staff:child ratio

We noticed:
-much greater emphasis on formal learning (rather than play based). It didn't just happen overnight but the shift was definitely there.
-a differentiation of subjects, so ds1 has:literacy, numerousy (sp?), art, PE, SEAL and topic. These all happened before of course, but are now more clearly defined and are not all with his class teacher.
-more 'sitting down and writing' type work (from virtually none at all).
-more emphasis on independent working (at least for 10 min at a time).
-greater expectations in terms of behaviour and a move to a once a week reward system
-more complaining from ds1 who did not approve of these changes in the least.

HTH

Children have more homework - reading, writing and spelling
Less play and more structure to the day
Testing - new phonics test and a start to the KS1
More self dependence - children need to take charge of notes to-from school

By mid year 1 much wider variation in ability than is noticable (to the children themselves) in YR.

Seperation of friendship groups slowly by gender (boys and girls choosing to play together less).

surge in boy topics (lego, castle knights, etc) very limited y1 "girlie" topics at our school.

first time many shildren will try out swear words !

odd (un-funny ) jokes being shared in the playground that seem to crack them up.

might refuse to kiss you goodbye at the gates, or even to let you walk across the playground with them - mums' arn't cool anymore.

Yes, thanks all. It's as I anticipated really. The school have been very sensible so far so I'm hoping they implement some of the changes at a gentle pace.