Confused about Y4 sons homework, he is 3a for maths but given Y6 home work

[Quinteszilla]

Not sure what to make of it, as he is level 3 a which I think is average.
His homework says: Year 6 block E1 PCM29

How can they give this type of work to a child deemed to be 3a?

Because there are many children in Year 6 working at a level 3A. E1 is a block generally covered at the beginning of year 6 but it depends what the content was!

They are grids with doubling and halving.

I can see how it would be off putting to level 3a children to get homework saying Year 4...

The teacher was probably just looking for something that is appropriate at this point. If that's a Y6 sheet, then it's a Y6 sheet. I've got Y5 and often use KS3 resources (Levels 3-5 and 4-7) for mine. The level is the same, but it means I don't need to use the same resources as our Y6s. My kids also feel rather excited about doing "Year 7 and 8 work", especially when it's easy for them. When they find it hard, they don't get too wound up about it (which my more able tend to do, when they know it's something they should be capable of), because they know that it's really meant for older children.

It makes sense. It is more motivating!

Another factor this year is that many schools are starting the new curriculum for years 3 and 4. A lot of topics are now going to be covered earlier in a child's school career. Old year 5 and 6 resources will be reused for years 3 and 4.