1. Monday, 8 th February 2016

2.  Clarify what the national curriculum tests are and what they involve.  Explain the changes in the way they will be reported.  To explain ways in which you can support your child to prepare for these tests.

3. A new national curriculum was introduced in September 2014 (as your children started Year 1) The new curriculum is more challenging, with higher standards expected. It will be assessed for the first time this year – at the end of Year 2 for KS1 and at the end of Year 6 for KS2

4.  New tests will be taken in May;  Informal, small groups with the teacher so that children are comfortable. The children are not aware that they are doing “Tests” or “Exams” Tests will include:  A grammar, punctuation and spelling test  2 reading tests  2 maths tests, including an arithmetic test

5. Reading tests: 2 papers 1 with test and questions combined – 30 mins 1 with test and questions in a separate book – 40 mins All children working at the level of the tests will take both tests.

6.  SPAG test – Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar test – 15 mins Spelling, 20 mins other  This is new to KS1 will involve children correctly punctuating sentences, identifying parts of sentences, adding spaces to sentences  Separate spelling test

7.  2 tests  1 arithmetic test – 20 mins  1 reasoning test– 35 mins, including 5 aural questions

8.  Teachers will use the tests, and the work that children do everyday, to decide whether your child is:  Working towards the expected standard  Working at the expected standard  Working at greater depth within the expected standard  Another category for those not working towards

9.  Using capital letters and full stops in most sentences, using ? and ! in some sentences  Using sentences with different forms – statements, questions, exclamations and commands  Using expanded noun phrases e.g. The Blue Butterfly  Using present and past tense correctly  Using the words ‘and, or, but’ and ‘when, if, that, because’  Spelling contracted forms of words – don’t, I’m, didn’t- apostrophes  Adding suffixes to words e.g. – ment, -ness, - ful, - less, -ly  Using horizontal and diagonal strokes to join some of their letters  Writing capital letters and lower case letters of the correct size  Using correct spacing between words  Reading over work in order to edit and improve.  Reading own writing aloud with expression.

10. To solve multiplication and division problems using arrays/ repeated addition/ grouping and mental facts. Time- To tell and write the time to five minutes- including quarter to and quarter past to draw the hands on a clock. To find different combinations of coins that equal the same amount of money. To use a ruler to measure accurately in cm. To recall and use multiplication and division facts within the 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables. To be able to find 1/3, ¼, 2/4 and ¾ of a shape or a quantity- to be able to write these fractions. To be able to explain how they got their answer!!!

11.  Encourage your child to practise their handwriting- diagonal and horizontal strokes in preparation for joined up handwriting.  Practise spellings and spelling rules.  Encourage your child get into the habit of reading back over their work- Does it make sense? Are there any spelling mistakes? Full stops? Capital letters?  Help learn 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables.  Buy your child an analogue clock- children are expected to be able to tell the time to the nearest 5 minutes (including quarter to and quarter past)