Year 1 Do they usually have homework? And what is this Phonics Test?

[Flyingtree]

Just that really.

My daughter's schoolbag is crammed with books, paperwork, etc. but no advice on whether any of this constitutes homework, not even in the teacher-to-parent handbook. She says she has no homework.

She used to have homework.

And what is all this about a Phonics Test due anytime now? I've heard nothing from teachers about it. Do all infant schools have this test?

It's at the end of Y1, involves 40 words 50% of which are made-up-alien words and are designed to see if the child can decode unknown words. And yes, it's nationwide.

If you haven't heard about it then the school is doing a good job.
It's quite like she's already done the screening check as it has to be administered this week I completed mine yesterday with the exception of a couple of absentees which I'll check when they return (and no I didn't tell parents in advance)

Hi it is a test which happens in June and will be a list of 40 words - 20 made up and 20 real words.

I have found a link for you to have a look of an example

stalbans.ccceducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/year-1-phonics-sample-materials.pdf

But it is only an example of what she might have in words.

Hope this helps.

My Yr 1 son does have homework in the form of reading every night, a weekly list of 10 spellings to learn for a test each thurs and usually a couple of peices of homework for the weekend - one numeracy and one literacy based. More often than not this takes him no longer than 30 mins in total to complete (if that!)
He was 'assessed' in Dec and came back with a reading and spelling age (this was unannounced and it sounds like the test described above (although cannot definitely say that it is the same one!)
Definitely just have a quick word with the teacher and ask for clarification on the homework expectations and can they provide clearer instructions to parents

My DD is in Yr1. Currently she gets weekly numeracy homework, occasional literacy/project based homework, reading homework each night and 6-10 spellings.

I have no idea if DD has done the phonics check yet, she hasn't mentioned it!

My DD gets 8 spellings a week and a maths challenge (this week she needs to know times on a clock, eg half past, quarter past etc). She's also expected to do 15 - 20 mins reading a night.

You say she used to get homework, was that in reception or year 1? If its been in this academic year it seems a bit odd that its now stopped. I'm guessing your teacher to parent handbook includes all the school policies? I would have thought there should be one for homework. Does the school have a website that might have more info?

As for the phonics screening, its great that its been kept so low key in my opinion. My DD had hers yesterday and all she told me was that she'd just looked at some 'obb and bob' words with the teacher. It was just as important for her (in her eyes anyway) to tell me which child came to tell her it was her turn to see the teacher and who she had to tell to go next!

Homework only comes home on Friday so all paper in DD's bookbag is normally the result of arts-session and they can take it home.

Phonics test: the school put it in the diary and DD proudly announced they played lots of Alien bingo recently. When I approached the teacher she said they don't even mention the word "test" and won't tell the child if she did well, passed or how many words she got right/wrong. They just let them choose a sticker which seemed to be the most important thing for them.

They have the test this week. DD was "not sure if I did it correct" but we didn't talk about it at home, we just kept it as a normal school task they had to do. We will get the result with her school report next month.