Back to School Parents Guide

o t e d i u G s Parent

l o o h c S Back to 2019 collins.co.uk/parents

There with you!

Back to School is an exciting time for you and your child. It can also be hectic, anxious and potentially stressful. We are here to help you find answers to questions about school work, homework and revision quickly and easily. Whether you dread term time or relish every moment of their school journey, we hope to ease some of that pressure for you.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (ages 3-5) covers the years children spend from the beginning of Preschool to the end of Reception class in primary school.

Preschool

Take a look at our Early Years books, which guide your child through the natural progression of their education from Preschool to Reception.

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Fun books introduce children to learning through colourful activities that build motivation and confidence.

Primary School From homework to reading and spellings to SATs, we have books and advice to guide you through every year of your child’s primary school journey.

Reception

Starting school is exciting. It is a time when you and your child’s teachers will focus on making your your child feels settled, secure and happy. In Reception, you’ll be introduced to reading levels and how phonics works.

Having a selection books at home that support learning at school helps them get to grips with new concepts and develops confidence.

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In Year 1 your involvement in homework is important. You can practise Common Exception Words together and become familiar with the maths methods taught at school. Your child will also be getting ready for their Phonics Screening Check.

Year 1

New look

With SATs at the end of the year, there is some useful practice that your child can do at home to familiarise them with the papers. This can help to ease any anxieties that may experience.

Year 2 New look

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New look

Year 3

Year 4

Children start to become more independent learners at Key Stage 2. Making sure they have access to a dictionary and other reference books can help to improve the quality of their school work.

In Year 4 children will be preparing for the Multiplication Check which takes places in the summer term. There are lots of ways to practise at home including our free online multiplication check practice tool at: collins.co.uk/timestables

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Year 5

Year 6

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Many schools will start to get children ready for their SATs in Year 5. This may involve with extra practice in grammar, spelling, reading, arithmetic and reasoning the areas that are testing on in the Year 6 SATs papers.

Getting your child ready for Year 6 SATs needn’t be onerous. Practice papers are a great way for children to get used to the style of questions. Knowing what to expect can help you and your child feel more relaxed during SATs week.

Secondary School With a wider range of subjects to study and exams a big part of secondary school life, we have a range of books to support you at home through the revision season.

Year 7

Starting secondary school is an important step in every child’s school life. It can be daunting, exciting and potentially overwhelming. Making sure that your child knows what a school day involves and where things are is a big help. Kitting them out with a dictionary and the school books they need is also a great way to start.

TOP TIP: Make sure your child has somewhere suitable to work, away from distractions, where it is quiet and they can concentrate.

TOP TIP: When it’s exam season help your child create a revision timetable so they can focus on areas they need the most help.

Make sure to include plenty of breaks so they’re not studying for long periods of time.

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Year 8

Year 9

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As your child moves into Year 8, they will be familiar with their KS3 subjects. Providing a good environment at home for study is important as school work grows.

In Year 9, children are well on their way towards GCSE years. This is a good time to recap what they have learnt at KS3 using revision and practice books.

Year 10

Year 11

Most schools will start to prepare children for the GCSE exams at the start of Year 10. Revising and recapping from the get go will help children later.

As the revision season approaches, having access to practise test papers to use alongside revision books will really help your child feel prepared for the exams.

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