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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

What are the main differences between Reception and Y1?

43 replies

imaginaryfriend · 25/06/2008 22:14

My dd's moving into Y1 next September and everyone I've spoken to says that in Y1 'the fun stops and the work starts' or words to that effect.

Can anyone who's experienced the shift tell me what they learned / how their kids handled it? What kinds of things do they do all day?

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ReallyTired · 26/06/2008 07:31

A lot depends on the school. My son's year 1 class had an outdoor classroom and twenty minutes of play in the morning and twenty minuts of play in the afternoon plus one hour of goldern time on Friday. Next year in year 2 he will still have one hour of golden time and no other play opportunities.

I would not worry about the streaming, the groups do get moved about as the summer born children mature.

Fennel · 26/06/2008 10:01

It does vary, dd2 was in yr 1 in a mixed class with the younger half of yr 1 and the whole of reception. It was very play based and casual. dd2 loved it.

There has always been streaming in reception and in yr 1 in all 3 of the schools my dds were in infant classes in. But subtle. Circle/square/oval groups. Or apples/plums/oranges. so you can't easily tell which group is "top".

Original poster

imaginaryfriend · 26/06/2008 14:36

Thanks for these replies.

One of the things one of my friends with a Y1 child said was that her dd didn't bring things home with her like she did in Reception - little drawings etc. Does that mean they have less time to draw in the class? Or might that be unusual to her dd? In fact she said she didn't see much of what her dd did anymore.

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SlightlyMadSweet · 26/06/2008 14:42

There is still some fun and play. That disappears virtually completely by Yr2.

The one thing I would say that we (myself and peers parents) is that there is a tendacy to assume they will "be OK" moving up to Yr1.

Assume they are used to going to schol and all will be fine.

There were a lot of children at our school who had lots of tears inthe mornings. They were upset at "losing" their friends tot he other class. "losing" the teacher they knew and loved.

I think as parents we put a lot of effort in coaching them to start (a new) school. And forget that a new school year is also a big transition for them IYSWIM. We don't put in the coaching that we perhaps should for some children.

Does that make sense?

SlightlyMadSweet · 26/06/2008 14:42

BTW Yr1-Yr2 transition was easier

Hulababy · 26/06/2008 14:49

In DD's school all of the infant classes (to Y2) have a similar ethos, and still run a lot through interactive, play type activities, with a lot of time having fun. This gradually reduced - loads of it in Reception, gradualy reducing.

Main difference between R and Y1 for DD was:
more structured to the day's timetable;
increase in subject areas (such as French);
expected to be a lot more independent in sorting themselves and with their work (although still plenty of support - just expected to use word books, etc rather than just ask for help);
expected to know the school rules more (expectations of this higher from staff)
increase in homework (gradually built up overyea; includes spellings, daily reading as before, alternate literacy or numeracy worksheet, weekend reading journal)
slightly later end to day (5 mins)
expected to do more in terms of presentations, such as more speaking parts in assemblies or reading aloud of work/prayers, etc.
more freedom to select activities when wrk set is finished

Foor us, it is in Y3 when the hard work really kicks in!

MaloryShoppingMother · 26/06/2008 14:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mercy · 26/06/2008 14:53

Totally agree with SlightlyMadSweet.

My dd is going in to Yr3 in September which I'm sure will be another step up - I'm prepared this time though!

Original poster

imaginaryfriend · 26/06/2008 15:00

Very helpful, thanks.

Dd's currently not keen on the prospect. I don't know if her Reception teacher has been telling them that it'll be much harder work but she seems to have got it into her head that she'll never be allowed to play again! Plus having all her break times in the Big Playground is slightly daunting to her. At the moment they just go in there for 30 mins after lunch.

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Hulababy · 26/06/2008 15:01

DD's Y1 class has a home corner type thing - currently it is a playground, with various things the girls have created using all manner of materials.

Earlier in the year it was a post office, followig a trip to the local post office. Was good for practising money and literacy skills.

Changes a bit less often than when she wss in Reception though.

The Y2 class doesn't have such an area as such, but do have a corner of the room dedicated to an "outside" interest, not related to the current topic of learning. \For example they recently had some caterpillars and were looking after them as they changed into butterflies.

Hulababy · 26/06/2008 15:03

IF - tell her that DD says Y1 s fab She loves it. You get to do loads of more exciting things at school, and because you are older and already know lots more, you get to make your own decisions about things more, and have the chance to do more interesting things. DD would be happy to send your DD a little letter or email all about why she thinks it is fun if you think it might make her feel happier

Original poster

imaginaryfriend · 26/06/2008 15:05

Hula, that's very sweet. Dd would love a letter. And perhaps she could write one to your dd expressing her concerns. Your dd could become an agony aunt for the under 6's!

Got to do school run now but will CAT you later.

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Gobbledigook · 26/06/2008 15:09

I think there is a shift in gear in terms of work vs play but there is still lots of play - ds1 in yr2 still gets 'golden time'.

Ds1 had no problem with the transition (although he did say to me when he went into yr1 'it's not fair, we don't have sand in our classroom any more'!).

Ours do spellings every week in yr 1 too so that's quite a change but it wasn't an issue for ds1 (ds2 going into yr 1 in Sept so will be interesting to see how he finds it).

Hulababy · 26/06/2008 15:11

Sounds fab! DD just loves the whole idea of sending and getting back letters

Will look out for th CAT

Original poster

imaginaryfriend · 26/06/2008 21:05

CAT sent Hula

OP posts:

Hulababy · 14/07/2008 18:57

IF - I can't find the email you sent me with your address! DD has written her letter but I can't post it out. Can you mail me again please?

mrz · 14/07/2008 19:06

It really depends on the ethos of the school our Y1 class is very similar to my reception class only in a smaller space.
We don't have a literacy/numeracy hour with everyone sitting at desks and children choose what they want to do when not working with the teacher.

Dottydot · 14/07/2008 19:14

Ah yes. Ds1, who's just finishing in Year 1, declared it to be Hard Work compared to reception. He couldn't believe they actually had to Learn Stuff and only had 1 hour's golden time (free play) a week, rather than all day every day...

He found the transition difficult, but I think this was mainly because he finds reading and writing difficult - it doesn't come naturally - so hated having to try new stuff.

But now, at the end of year 1, it's amazing to think how much he's come on - they seem so much older now and I'm hoping the move to year 2 will be much easier.

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