Starting school in Year 1

[ggforever87]

Hello. My family is moving to the UK from the US this summer and my daughter is going to start Year 1 in September. In the US, children don't start school until age 5. So she's only been in pre school two half days a week until now. I am worried Year 1 will be a bit of a shock. Can someone tell me what to expect? Is it lots of sitting at desks? What is the environment of Year 1?

How old is your daughter and when is her birthday?

@neddle She is 4 now, turns 5 in March. If we were already in the UK she'd be in Reception now. I've looked into deferring Reception but the local educational authority says she misses the birthday cutoff for consideration.

Yes, that’s right unfortunately.
Is it possible for her to go to preschool more now until you move?
Or any way of accessing some school where you are to help catch up?

It varies somewhat school to school. In my DC's school there would still be some play in the morning (some kids would be called to read with the teacher). The kids began spelling tests (just a few words a week) but didn't have other homework other than reading. They'd do a lot more writing and sit down work through out the day - especially as the year progresses.

There is a massive variation in what the kids can do beginning Y1. Some can read pretty fluently and write legibly. Others are still getting to grips with blending and are working on level 1 books. Most can write all the letters but sometimes barely legibly. Most will be comfortable with numbers up to 10-20 and basic number bonds. (Others will be able to do a lot more but it isn't expected).

Academically It will be easy for you to go over the basic phonics she should be familiar with (look up jolly phonics and pure sounds on youtube). Again the number work is fairly easy for her to get to grips with. The full days and more formal style of learning will be a shock in the short term but it's also a shock for many coming from reception. Perhaps you could up her days in pre school in preparation?

(When I say some play in the morning I mean as part of the school day of course all schools have designated play time outside in addition to this!)

DS1 is in Y1 and I suspect it will also depend on the school. Our large Infants Academy offers a smorgasbord of catch up sessions (fine motor skills to phonics and ever onwards) and there’s a huge range (the grapevine tells me) in how well they can read, do maths etc. A smaller primary may take a different approach. If you’re speaking to the LEA I assume you know where you’ll be living and that you’re going for a state school? If so you might know where she’ll be and I’m sure they can make suggestions of things that might be worth looking at? Good luck and I’m sure it’ll be fine after a bit of adjustment.

@PopCakes This is really helpful, thank you. I do a lot of work with my child at home and have been following the Jolly Phonics program. We lived in the UK before we had children and heard lots of good things about the curriculum. When I looked up the learning objectives for Reception, I was slightly overwhelmed by what was expected but I think my daughter will manage. I have some time to continue catching her up. It is helpful to know academic abilities do vary a bit starting Year 1. She has never been in a very structured setting, mostly play-based, but I assume most children starting Year 1 are making that transition too.

@DelurkingAJ We are uncertain what route we will go. Talking to the LEA and exploring options. It's possible she may attend an independent school. Are those likely to be more academically challenging in Year 1 than a state school?

Depends on the school. Some would be, some wouldn’t...also depends on the LEA schools. Personal experience is that DH teaches in the independent sector and preferred the local state school (class sizes were the only thing he felt was better at that age). But in another part of the country (or with a different child) we might have come to a different conclusion.

Different county even (blooming autocorrect!)

@DelurkingAJ Good to know. I guess I'll need to look and ask around.

I really wouldn't panic about the academics the variation is massive. As an example my eldest was a strong reader (he started the year I think on level 5 or 6) and very good at maths but his writing was hopeless - his letters weren't formed properly spelling was completely phonetic (and not even that sometimes) and he would rarely write more than two sentences together.

If she's got the basic phonic knowledge and has had some practise at reading (the aim by the end of reception is level 3). Knows her numbers up to 10 or 20 and can do basic adding and subtracting, can make some attempt at writing (there's no attempt at accuracy as long as they're writing). She'll be very comfortable academically.

@PopCakes thank you!! And I guess all the children will be adjusting to a more structured environment.