KS2 to KS1 Workload.

[JamesCracknelsBugle]

Looking for information and advice really. I teach in UKS2 and am considering a move to KS1. Can anyone let me know what the workload is like in KS1 compared to KS2? I am by no means slighting either KS, just looking to hear the ins and outs perhaps from someone who has taught both? Thank you in advance.

Very much how much is a piece of string.

I moved to KS1 after 4 years in KS2 and the actual workload was much the same (slightly less on the marking) but I had no resources to fall back on, so had to spend more time collecting things.

Less marking imho as the younger children tend not to write such lengthy pieces of work compared to the older ones.

A colleague who moved from year 2 to year 6 said year 2 is harder work in the day as the children need continual interaction but year 6 was harder in the evening as the marking took so much longer.

Having done a decade in secondary and 11 years in primary, i'd say the easiest marking workload was ks1 with the worst being ks2 followed by ks4.

However, the absolute nightmare of organising resources in ks1 made me weep and it took FOREVER! I never go below year 5 now. If asked to I will leave! My ideal is years 6- 9. I wish we had middle schools.

Less marking but much more prep time. More physically gruelling as well.

I’d still rather do Ks1 though!

Just different.

I made the move from Y6 to Y1 a few years ago.

The marking is loads less (they don’t write anywhere near as much and can’t read comments anyway so needs to be more live / in the moment).

The resource prep is a lot more. Add on setting up a great role play corner / continuous & enhanced provision etc & that side is much more involved than ks2. So balances out the marking.

The big difference is how the kids need you in a different way. Whenever I go back to ks2 now I always remember how lovely it is when you give a 2 or 3 step instruction and they can all follow it!

This is my first yr in yr 1 after 7 yrs in ks2- it's exhausting! As others have said the lesson, resourcing and CP prep takes ages. The children need you constantly and can't do anything by themselves but there is hardly any marking and the children love you!
It is just a different type of tired to KS2.

Thanks for all the replies- I am torn! Will need to do some thinking.