Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Scotsnet

Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

School complaint help (5books in 10weeks)

40 replies

Estrele · 12/11/2023 21:16

So in 10weeks of school my LO ( in P1) has had 5books back for homework and sounds/letters a total of about 10 … it seems everyone is wondering what has happened to homework as it is a similar sort right up to P7. I have sent message in and tried to speak to the head but she has shut me down and no one else has made progress either from what I gather. Does anyone know how to go about raising the matter up to a higher authority?- it seems that the SPSO don’t deal with complaints about what/how they are taught? TIA!

OP posts:
Moglet4 · 14/11/2023 09:53

Estrele · 13/11/2023 22:11

Thank you for all your thoughts!I agree re not too much home work. However it was my DS that was asking to read ( he LOVES books and we have always read atleast one book a day to him and often more, he also spends a lot of time listening to audio books too). As such I asked if they could send books back with words and I got told no and so have been getting lots from the library :) which he enjoys but I feel out of my depth on some sounds now and they don’t seem interested in supporting him ( he has asked for sounds he doesn’t know already ) … this is all contrary to what the head teacher told me when we first saw the school as I asked her specifically if they would work all the same speed of slower/faster according to pupils needs etc. hence why I find it frustrating. Plus the number of books and sounds is less than a third of what previous P1s had ( over the past 5 years or so … that said all the years in his class seem to have a similar reduction in reading and progress this year) …

You’re absolutely right, there should be differentiation with reading too. That said, teachers have a lot of stress and large classes with not enough resources or support staff. The answer is probably for you to get hold of some phonics books and easy reading books (if you can stand it then look for some Biff and Chip or Songbirds on fb or go and have a browse in Waterstones- there are some really good Oxford books that are divided up into ability levels). I’m not sure what P1 is but if it is Reception then children will all be at different levels: if yours is interested in books, then run with it. If you aren’t sure what you’re doing and don’t mind paying out a bit, then take a look at the Monster Phonics programme. My girls were all reading proper books by age 4 but the school were very good at providing reading material at the right level whilst doing one sound in class. Home reinforcement is key.

Callisto1 · 15/11/2023 20:16

If you want to learn phonics sounds, you could watch some Alphablocks on BBC or there is lots on youtube (where I learned from during lockdown).

The easy reading books are very very limited, so I wouldn't read too many. He may get bored of them quite quickly.
I also wouldn't do Biff and Chip as they will probably study it to death before P3.

Our school does 3 levels of numeracy and literacy, I think it starts some time in P1. They don't talk about it much since they don't want the children (or parents) to know at what level the children work. It does become more obvious later on.

Vettrianofan · 15/11/2023 20:33

The best thing you can do is read with your child for enjoyment. The rest will fall into place.

WeeSleekitCowrinTimrousBeastie · 15/11/2023 21:02

That's plenty of homework for P1.

If you want to do more reading that is a really good thing to do. Join your local library.

It's also great to read to your child. It fits their imagination and expands their vocabulary.

Keep it fun and no need to complain to school.

Vettrianofan · 15/11/2023 21:05

I set a timer for five minutes homework Monday to Thursday and if they do more than five minutes each day that's a bonus but not a big deal. We do other educational stuff too outside of school. There are loads of websites recommended by school to try at home too. No one should be hand wringing about what to try next. There are loads of resources for parents to try with their child.

Mumaway · 15/11/2023 21:50

Our excellent school do no regular homework, except reading. After Yr1 those are books of the children's choosing

Original poster
Estrele · 15/11/2023 23:22

@TooOldForThisNonsense :) thanks! I am wanting support and information from the school … I have been borrowing lots of books from the library and also found some Star Wars phonics/early readers as he is obsessed and trying to read a bot encyclopaedia thing too.
well done to your son!

OP posts:
Original poster
Estrele · 15/11/2023 23:29

@Ineedaholiday23 thanks… he knows his sounds up to where he got with his precious school ( he did a term and a bit in England last year ) and I have tried to fill I. The missing sounds … there are only odd sounds that are new but the school is stil on the first 17 sounds ( single letters ) …
he can blend … yes he needs more practise but I can’t do everything and given he wants to read and will happily do that ( blending as he goes) I am doing that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Estrele · 15/11/2023 23:31

Thank you @RoundTheBloch it is helpful!
thank you also @Moglet4 , likewise. Do you mean teach your monster how to read? - if so he plays and loves that … if not please can you elaborate ? :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Estrele · 15/11/2023 23:35

@Callisto1 thank you. I have been looking online and likes the Alphablocks :) and I was you tubing some sounds today .
I have steered clear from biff and chip thank goodness.
and thank you!

OP posts:
YerAWizardHarry · 15/11/2023 23:36

But what you need to understand the children in his class didn’t do another term in England.. they have been at school a grand total of about 10 weeks!

Moglet4 · 15/11/2023 23:39

Estrele · 15/11/2023 23:31

Thank you @RoundTheBloch it is helpful!
thank you also @Moglet4 , likewise. Do you mean teach your monster how to read? - if so he plays and loves that … if not please can you elaborate ? :)

No, it’s a Phonics programme called Monster Phonics and the kids absolutely love it. Their website is www.monsterphonics.com and there are various packages and resources available

DfE Validated Phonics Scheme And Ofsted-Ready

Monster Phonics is a DfE validated phonics scheme that improves progress. Child-centred learning rapidly improves results. Free Trail Available.

http://www.monsterphonics.com

IamMummyhearmeROAR · 18/11/2023 20:21

The P1s I teach don't get books home - just a sound wallet and CVC words to read set on an online portal. After Christmas there will be online texts again via this portal for those who are ready.

Isyesterdaytomorrowtoday · 18/11/2023 20:26

We didn’t get any books home until p2 - homework does very little in terms of actual attainment. Just do what you want to at home. P1 is about much more that sounds/reading

lezsucks · 23/11/2023 22:24

We used reading chest for a sort of paid library subscription of appropriate levelled books. You order according to their level. Not cheap but worth every penny for my children.

My children loved having additional books, from different schemes from what they had at school.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page