Transition To Year 1

[Guest]

Hi everyone,

 

Just wanted a few good quotes or things to support me when discussing transition to year 1 with my colleagues as everything I say seems to make no difference. They seem to think that by letting them play with a few toys when they have finished their work is transition and that I should have spent more time getting them ready for year 1 and should be more formal in Reception with a bigger focus on maths and literacy.

 

I have said all the usual stuff but am feeling a bit low as nothing seems to make any difference and my children's scores were lower last year so I can't even back up what I'm saying with that as evidence. Although their progress was good compared to their on entry data which helps.

 

Just wondered if there was anything out there I could share with my colleagues that is easy to understand and readable. I am sure they think I am making it up and it's only me that says the EYFS curriculum is based on play!!! Don't want to stand there and quote at them but just wondered if there was anything I hadn't seen or read that I could use.

 

Thank you x

[Guest LornaW]

Dear Rachel I am sure you are not alone and there will be lots of advice here but for starters here is a paper you may find useful

 

http://www.nationalschool.gov.uk/policyhub..._foundation.asp

 

and secondly this book by Julie Fisher is excellent

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moving-Key-Stage-T...n/dp/0335238467

 

I recently ran a course on this and Julie's book was very well recieved by people on the training.

 

Finally there is a thread on the forum full of very useful info here

 

http://www.foundation-stage.info/forums/in...showtopic=18021

 

Good Luck and keep reminding them it is for the good of the children and will raise standards if handled properly!

 

Lorna

Edited September 13, 2010 by LornaW

[Guest]

Dear Rachel I am sure you are not alone and there will be lots of advice here but for starters here is a paper you may find useful

 

http://www.nationalschool.gov.uk/policyhub..._foundation.asp

 

and secondly this book by Julie Fisher is excellent

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moving-Key-Stage-T...n/dp/0335238467

 

I recently ran a course on this and Julie's book was very well recieved by people on the training.

 

Finally there is a thread on the forum full of very useful info here

 

http://www.foundation-stage.info/forums/in...showtopic=18021

 

Good Luck and keep reminding them it is for the good of the children and will raise standards if handled properly!

 

Lorna

 

 

Thanks Lorna, just ordered the book it looks fab. I already have the other one 'Smooth Transitions'. Think that's the problem- I have it not them! Or rather we should be looking at it together!

 

Thanks again, feeling better already! x

[Guest]

I have exactly the same problem. My small village school has very good results-they expect level 3s at the end of year 2. Iam in my second year at the school and taught the Foundation Stage as I believe it should be taught be last year. I was told by the head today that this year I must teach the 3 Rs more formerly-they expect the children to be fluent readers and very used to sitting at tables writing on worksheets by the time they reach Year 1. 'Choosing' must be a treat for finishing work! I too am feeling VERY low. What will Ofsted say?How can I work in a way that is totally against my principles! The head says if Ofsted question it she will point them in the direction of our results which have historically been very good. All the staff (there are only 3 others) believe that free flow,continuous provision and CI can only lower standards. I am thinking of contacting my union as I was initially employed to introduce these basic principles!

[Guest LornaW]

mackdebs what a shame for you but this is a very common problem in high achieving schools. I don't know what part of the country you are in but can you find a school in a similar area that is already providing the right kind of transition and their results have not dropped and visit them? Also forgot to say in my last post that every school had a file sent to them in 2005 called Continuing the Learning Journey and that was all about good transitions. As for Ofsted they will be looking to see that children are getting an appropriate curriculum. I know a couple of schools in my end of the workd if you are near Kent!

As for the 3 R's in reception I would ask for support from you LA advisers as this is NOT in keeping with the EYFS. Formality does not equyate to high standards!

 

Good Luck!

 

Lorna