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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Reception or Year One?

29 replies

NorthernLassie21 · 01/06/2023 05:43

I'd really appreciate some advice please....we are returning from New Zealand to the UK in July, to support my elderly mum. My daughter turns 5 in August, so I'm applying to schools soon.

She is due to go into year 1, and be at the younger end of the year. But she will totally miss out on Reception and the gentle introduction to school life, plus phonics etc. She goes to Kindergarten 3 days a week here in NZ and it is all free play and social skills but no 'sit down' learning.

I haven't a clue about the difference between Reception and Year 1 and whether it's a big step up. The primary school I'm applying to wants her to go in year 1. My son had a gentle start learning through play as a new entrant here in NZ and I'd like my daughter to have the same. She has good communication skills but can't write her own name yet.

Should I push for her to go into Reception, or does it cause a problem to be a year behind age wise? I want it to be the best start for her, with moving countries as well (not stressed much!) TIA 😀

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Theydontknowthatweknowthattheyknow · 01/06/2023 10:19

Nix32 · 01/06/2023 08:19

@SkankingWombat But not every school uses RWI. Ours doesn't, and our scheme involves a whole class approach with catch up lessons for those who need it. The problem is staffing the catch ups.

Your suggestion that the whole Reception experience can be replicated at home over the next three months completely devalues what schools do.

Sorry I agree that this sounds poor. My dd in YR is already reading fluenty, mastered all the phase 5 phonics sounds and can work out what most other words say by inference. I wouldn't want her or her classmates to be aware of any differences but no way either would I be accepting her being taught things that she's already known for a year. I'm glad she's at a school that knows how to assess her ability and differentiate work for her appropriately

BrutusMcDogface · 01/06/2023 10:28

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Saschka · 01/06/2023 10:51

2reefsin30knots · 01/06/2023 09:42

@SkankingWombat I take it you are not a primary school teacher. The current system is that ALL children are expected to move at the same (very rapid) pace through one of the government approved, prescriptive phonics schemes (phonics covers reading and writing). Those that fall behind receive immediate, intensive 'catch-up' and those that could move more quickly are not encouraged to do so. There is not expected to be a wide range of attainment when children hit Year 1 at all. As PP says, they would ALL be expected to be ready to start Phase 5 after a brief recap. The only exceptions would be those children with significant learning difficulties.

I agree with what you say about the expectations, but that doesn’t mean every child achieves it!

DS is in a great primary, with all of the catch-up help you mention (before and afterschool phonics interventions, streaming, etc). But there are still children reading ahead (one was on lime book band midway through year 1), and reading behind (one of DS’s friends is still on yellow book band).

I agree somebody unable to even recognise letters is going to struggle, but presumably she’ll catch up quickly, just as children in countries where they start school later do.

Original poster

NorthernLassie21 · 01/06/2023 12:14

Many thanks for everyone's advice. The local authority have told me to apply for year 1 as planned and DD could maybe do a reduced timetable. But for all the reasons you've given, I want her to go into Reception and the school does have places. I'll talk to them after half term. Thanks again x

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