Year 1

What to expect

Year 1 is the first year formally taught under the National Curriculum, moving from the EYFS's areas of learning to defined subjects. The classroom day usually becomes more structured than Reception, though most schools still keep a good amount of play-based and hands-on learning through Year 1.

Statutory checks and assessments

The Phonics Screening Check is the one statutory assessment this year, taken one-to-one with a teacher in June. Your child reads 40 words aloud — a mix of real words and made-up 'pseudo-words' (usually shown with a picture of an imaginary creature, so children know not to expect a real word) — to check whether they've reached the expected standard in phonics decoding. The Department for Education sets and publishes the pass mark each year, so it isn't a fixed number worth memorising; the school will tell you the result and what it means for your child specifically.

Home life & homework

Reading practice at home starts to matter more directly this year, often with a school reading-scheme book and a reading diary. Light, regular phonics practice (a few minutes little and often) tends to help far more than occasional long sessions.

Social & emotional

Friendships start to feel more consequential to children at this age, and playground fallouts that seem small to an adult can genuinely upset a 5 or 6-year-old. Most children are still developing the stamina to sit and concentrate for a full lesson — some restlessness is developmentally normal, not necessarily a concern.

What to focus on

If your child doesn't meet the expected standard in the phonics check, they'll get extra support and retake it in Year 2 — this is a routine, common outcome, not a red flag on its own.