Syllabus

[MilestoneMum]

Another mum commented on how much DD's school has improved as in YR they are learning sounds with more than one letter e.g. oa, whereas when her DS was in YR at the same school 4 years ago they only learnt sounds of single letters in that class.

Do teachers have this much autonomy over what they cover? And how do I know if a teacher isn't covering something they should be?

Teachers have the "automony" to use their professional judgement to assess what their pupils know and to teach accordingly.

Gosh I could've been that very mum! My DS's phonics in reception seemed all fine and dandy (he was my first to school, so I had no idea what to expect). He made good progress, picked up phonics well, is now yr2, no complaints.

However, roll on 2 years later when my DD is in reception of the same school / class / teacher and the phonics work seems to have expanded massively - they are doing loads more double letters (oa / ai / oo etc). I'm guessing my son also covered these, but we get sent home loads more in my DD's letters and sounds pack each week than my son got in his pack 2 years ago.

My son didn't suffer as a result (I don't think), like I say, I assume he still learnt all the same stuff as my daughter is. But my daughter is benefiting from the additional sent-home stuff. It feels good to see the school improving in this area.

I have noticed this too, my daughter is doing phase 2 letters and sounds in nursery class. Whereas DS didn't start it until reception.
They are all doing it so nothing to do with ability unless of course they are a particularly bright cohort.