1. Year 6 Parents Information Talk September 2019
Miss Harris and Mrs Mobbs

2. Aims To tell you about what happens in Year 6
To help you understand our expectations and standards
To show you how you can keep informed
To answer any queries you may have

3. Teaching staff Year 6 Teachers – Miss Harris and Mrs Mobbs
Year 6 Teaching Assistants – Mrs Cook and Mrs Brittain
PPA Cover – Mr Chittenden-Pile in 6M and Miss Morrell and Mrs Brittain in 6H
KS2 Leader – Miss Howling

4. How is Year 6 different to Year 5?
The structure of the day will be very similar to Year 5.
Children will have to be more independent.
Children will be given more responsibilities.
Children will be completing their SATS assessments.

6. My child doesn’t like reading, is it really important?
Yes! And you can do lots to help. Supporting your child will have a huge impact on your child’s learning in school and is excellent for their wellbeing.
Children and young people who read daily are four times more likely to read above the level expected for their age.
Children with above expected reading skills are three times more likely to have high levels of mental wellbeing than their peers with below expected reading skills compared with their peers who don’t read daily.
Children and young people who have good reading skills are four times as likely to have good financial skills than their peers who have poor reading skills.
(National Literacy Trust, )

7. My child doesn’t like reading, is it really important? (continued)
Children will continue to use Accelerated Reading to track their reading.
Children will be taught reading skills to support their reading comprehension.
If your child’s reading level is below the age expected then they will read daily to an adult.
Expectation is that every children reads at home for 30 minutes. Please support your child by listening to them read and sign the reading log to confirm this has been completed.

8. How will maths and English be taught?
Follow the White Rose scheme
Practise SATS style questions
Revise maths skills taught throughout KS2
Writing:
Focus on different books/texts each term and these are used to inspire children’s writing
Regular handwriting practise
Spelling practise and tests

9. I want my child to have a phone so they can use it on their way to and from school. Is there any problems with this?
If it is necessary, children may bring a phone into school, which must be left at the office. The phone cannot be used on school grounds. If you have any concerns please talk to a member of staff.
Almost all friendship issues dealt with in school relating to Year 6 last year had links to children communicating through technology outside of school (phones, tablets, apps, messaging services, computers, games consoles).
Some common problems that we are dealing with at school relating to online activities are name calling, children being invited and then excluded from groups, children using inappropriate language and groups of children ganging up on one child.
These issues do impact on children’s wellbeing and school work.
Please support us by monitoring your child’s use of technology.

10. How can I help to keep my child safe online?
Know the age restrictions for social media apps.
Monitor their activity online.
Discuss with your child who they are talking to and what they are talking about.
If something happens online do not encourage your child to retaliate.
Help to educate your child about being safe online.
Remind your child that posts can be shared or screenshots can be taken.
Restrict the amount of time your child is online.
Inform us if you are concerned.

11. What if there is a problem in school. What should I do
What if there is a problem in school? What should I do? How it will be dealt with?
As the children progress through Year 6 we encourage them to become more independent and learn how to deal with social situations in order to develop their resilience ready for secondary school.
Encourage your child to come and discuss any issues with us.

12. Will there be any homework?
Practise times tables for a weekly Times Table Rockstar test
Practise spellings for a weekly spellings test
Maths revision sheet.
Termly projects related to units of work being taught.
If required, work to support learning in class.

13. What happens for the play at the end of the year?
Children will be able to audition for parts. They may choose to sing or act.
All children that want a speaking role can have a speaking role.
We will need children to be backstage. This is an important role as these children will be working the lighting, sound and curtains independently.
Children that wish to have a main part will need to be at school throughout term 6 for rehearsals. This is important for practising with the rest of year 6 and knowing stage directions, dances etc.
Auditions should take place before May half term – no date has been fixed for this.

14. What do I have to do about choosing a secondary school?
Visit the secondary schools. There are lots of opening evenings but arrange to visit the secondary schools during the day as well.
Talk to your child about where they would like to go but try to avoid allowing your child to make the final decision.
When making the decision think about what is right for your child.
Kent test results – 17th October.
Apply online by 31st October.

15. When is the Leavers Do and Leavers Assembly?
Dates have not been finalised yet. But these are possible dates:
Leavers Do – On the Friday of the week in July when children visit their new secondary school (transition week).
Play performance – week beginning 6th July
Leavers Assembly – Last day of term 6

16. My child is worried about going to France. Will they be ok?
Yes – they will love it!
Tuesday 5th November – Friday 8th November
We always have lots of positive comments from the parents when the children return.
There will be a talk about the French trip – date TBC

17. What are the SATS. I’ve heard they are only important for the school
What are the SATS? I’ve heard they are only important for the school. Is this true?
SATS (Standardised Assessment Tests) are used to assess your child’s attainment at the end of KS2 and this is used to make sure your child makes progress on their learning journey.
They are used by primary and secondary schools to assess that the children are making progress that they are expected to make.
We encourage and support children to achieve the best score that they can get.
Children will sit SATs test in SPAG (1 paper), reading (1 paper) and maths (3 papers).
Children do not sit a writing test. Instead all of their work in Year 6 is moderated by trained writing moderators or other Year 6 teachers across Kent.

18. What are the SATS. I’ve heard they are only important for the school
What are the SATS? I’ve heard they are only important for the school. Is this true?
KS1 SATS
Working Towards the Expected Standard
KS2 SATS
Working Towards the Expected Standard
Secondary School
Working Towards the Expected Standard
KS1 SATS
Expected Standard
KS2 SATS
Expected Standard
Secondary School
Expected Standard

19. School Uniform
Jumper: Red sweater, sweatshirt or cardigan preferably with the school emblem
Top: White shirt or red or white polo shirt preferably with the school emblem. School ties may be worn with shirts.
Bottoms: Dark grey skirts, pinafore dresses, tailored trousers or short (no jeggings or jean styled trousers)
Socks/Tights: White, grey or black socks or Grey, red or black tights
Shoes: Black school shoes (not trainers, no sports emblems or stripes). Heels below 4cm (no boots indoors)
Summer term only - Red gingham dresses may be worn in warmer weather (no playsuits). Dark grey tailored shorts.

20. PE Kit
Children will need an indoor and outdoor PE kit in school at all times.
T-shirt in their house colour
Plain black shorts
Plimsolls or black trainers (no astro turf or multi- surface studded trainers worn).
NO earrings or jewellery for PE.
Children will work in bare feet in the hall unless suffering from an open wound or a verruca when soft plimsolls should be worn.
Winter only: Dark tracksuit or jogging bottoms or school sweatshirt/sweatshirt. (no hoodies) or school fleece (outdoor use only).
Mouth guards and shin pads are required for hockey.

21. How can I help my child this year?
Practise times tables regularly.
Encourage your child to read regularly.
Restrict time online.
Talk to your child about what they are learning in school.
Get involved with their learning – practise skills together, visit museums/places of interest.
Encourage your child to become more resilient.
Contact us