Private school reception children - what are yours doing?

[wheelsonthebus]

My dc is in a (middling to v average) state school and I am keen to know whether there is a significant difference at this stage in reading, writing and numeracy between the school and a more academic/private school which I would like to aspire to at 7+. What are yours doing now and what more could I be doing at home?

As the parent of a year 1 private school child, this time last year there was only a small amount of difference between DD and her state educated peers mainly the level and amount of reading that had been done. Over the summer we were encouraged to read as much as possible all your picture books you have already and keeping a summer diary with a picture and a few sentances each week.
The big difference has been this year.

DD1 did one term at our supposedly good State village school, and then went private from the Spring term onwards. There was a very marked difference in the levels of reading and writing expected. Luckily DD had been well ahead of the game at the village school, and ended the Reception term doing work that is only now being attempted in Year 1 at her old school. So, I would say that the private school is 2-3 terms ahead of the State one. We still live in the village, and I go in to hear children read etc, so I am well aware of what they are doing.

ds is in reception at local preep school - nearly dinished ORT 5 - think that's about average for the boys although some girls are way further ahead.

school sends a new book home every night - he reads in school 3 days a week and we are expected to hear him read every night.

Pretty much the same as Gladders. 2 x ORT stage 5 books home 3 x a week. A few sums for homework too but not as regularly as the reading.

DD has to read a book a night,do five sentences utilising specific words and once a week there is "proper" homework set.
It sems to me that constant repetition is the way to a child's brain...DD's reading has suddenly picke up and she is off.I think next year will be more challenging.

Judging by some of the posts on workload, I'm really glad my DS is in a state school.

really interesting - thanks.

ds has a little reading book each night and is listened to reading at school atleast 4 days a week. Once a week he has a few simple sums for homework..

Surely what is being done is dependent on the ability of the child? There will be some chidlren at private school who are finding reading difficult and will be on red books, and others on white or lime - exactly the same as their compatriots at state school (unless the school is selective when you'd EXPECT them to be on the higher levels).

I really don't see the point of this question, as all children are different and learn at different rates.

My DD is in state school but I have friends whose children are private.

Yes, the private schools have a much higher expectation of numeracy, spelling and reading and are pushed more in reception/yr 1/yr 2. This is fine for the brighter kids but I know one who is struggling so school must be purgatory for her.

In comparison DD's spelling and hand writing neatness are dreadful, the state school do not have the same emphais. DD gets 4 words a week for spelling. Private kids get 10 words a week plus hand writing practise and homeowrk each night.

However, DD is streaking ahead at the state school and I am considering putting her in private. The private school in year 3 expect the levels a state school sets for year 4.

DS reads in school almost every day and at home every night. No other homework. There's a pretty wide spectrum of where individual children are on reading/writing/sums, though, so it's fairly pointless in terms of drawing any wider conclusions my telling you where DS is.

DS1 was reading a book a day with 10 spelling words a week in Reception. As he was/is advanced in his reading age, he was given extra homework about 2x a week (comprehension sheets, things to research).

If you are aiming for a very academic 7+ entrance school, the child needs to be at level 3b in the NC at the time of the exam (January of Year 2).

Agree with RollaCoasta it depends on the child and the School. My DS is at state school the children read to an adult twice a day and at home everynight. They can change their books everyday. The school has several Mum helpers every session. The only downside is they are not keen to help with preparations towards the 11 plus. My DS is 9
and has an adult reading abililty. All the children are above expected for age.

Wow Lynli that sounds like a fab - and v. unusual - state school IMHO!

My DD1 has just moved schools (She is in year 1), and the difference between the two schools is huge.

In her old school - she used to have weekly spelling tests (with words like alphabet, author, kitchen). Now she is back to learning sounds again.

In her old school, she was reading two levels higher than she is now. Now I am told she is top set - that would have been middle set in her last school. Her school book this week is one she read last year in reception.

In her old school, she had key words to learn such as transparent and opaque. She has nothing other than reading here.

Last week, I was given a homework that she was given in her last school a year ago, in reception.

In her last school, she learnt to tell the time. Here, she is just learning to tell the time to the nearest hour.

In her old school, all the children write in cursive, most of them write in joined up handwriting too. Here, most of the children still write in print.

In her old school, she was expected to write stories and complete extended writing tasks for homework. Here, children are expected to learn their sounds and perhaps complete a worksheet for homework.

In her last school, she learnt French and had been learning it from reception. Here, she won't learn French for another year yet.

My DD is / was top set in both schools.

But... both of these schools are state schools. It just goes to show that the standards between schools vary so much. I think her last school was very academic and quite pushy. This school is obviously far less pushy / academic - but places a lot more emphasis on the emotional and holistic well being of the child.

I'm waffling but the point I'm trying to make is I don't think you can just compare state and private and say one will be better than another -I think it varies from school to school.

hk I think the holistic, pastoral approach would attract me more than a bucketful of 3Bs half way through Y2! I don't really understand why people think that a 6 year-old working at a 9 year-old's level is a good thing.

I love watching my mix of 6 and 7 year-olds (working at levels

@Rollacoasta - hear, hear, that that is a lovely reminder of what should really matter...

Oh RollaCoasta - will you marry me?

From my own and dc experience of state/private, in prep environment (up to yr 4) they are working 2 terms ahead of state, yr 5 onwards including senior, they are working an academic year ahead.

If children are struggling due to class size they are given the one to one necessary to grasp a particular concept, and if the class are all flying through a particular topic, the topic is very quickly dealt with. Also in recent years more private schools are developing better learning support units, which focuses on particular individual weaknesses, and brings the children along faster there.

Is this a good thing? It is when dealing with moving from private to state, and having to deal with other social stuff (making friends, more people etc) and not have to worry about the academic side of things as you are just revising consolidating your knowledge for that year

Have you ever stopped to think that a state school would teach littlies at teh same level as an independent school if it thought it was a good thing.But they are following a curriculum devised by experts employed by the government who has a vested interest in their long-term success.
The independent sector is following a curriculum designed by themselves aimed at impressing parents and don't care if the child is burntout/self harming by the time they reach adulthood.

RollaCosta - The holistic nature of the school is one of the things that attracted me to this school, although I do think perhaps a mix of the two would be nice .

There are some lovely things about school 1 that was fab - and I miss dearly (particularly my DDs old teacher), and there are things about school 2 that I adore (The pastoral side in particular!)

Just a shame that I can't take the best of the two schools...

But that digresses, I'm not trying to comment on which school is best - all I'm trying to say is that schools vary so much in standards, that it is impossible to just say a private school will be working at this (higher) standard, and a state school will be working at this (lower) standard. I think it varies according to each individual school. Whilst there might be generalisations that private schools are usually better than state, I don't think you can necessarily assume this on an individual level.

That's all.

Thank God for you, RollaCoaster. Crikey these threads depress me.

My 4 year old (not 5 til August) is on the red reading level and I'm really proud of what he has achieved this year. I didn't realise I was supposed to want him to be a couple of years' further on.

Applauds RollaCoaster

Hands off rollaCoasta - I proposed first!

In some countries you wouldn't even be at school until 6 or 7.