Starting primary school is an exciting new chapter in your child’s life. Schools, and Reception teachers in particular, are well aware of the importance of this big step, and are dedicated to helping children settle in quickly and start enjoying school life. It can feel daunting when your child starts ‘big school’. But by the … Read more
Back in 2014, the primary curriculum as we knew it was dramatically overhauled in pretty much every area of learning. ICT (information and communication technology) saw some of the biggest changes — namely because it ceased to exist as a subject from that point onwards! It was replaced by computing, which placed a much heavier … Read more
An Oxford University Press report, Why the Word Gap Matters: Oxford Language Report, published this week reveals that both primary and secondary schools teachers are finding that an increasing number of children have a limited vocabulary – a word gap. Without enough words a child will not only find it difficult to understand instructions at … Read more
As you would expect, subtraction is a key concept in the primary maths curriculum. Children start to learn about subtraction in their first year of primary school and it is something they continue to build upon all the way through to Year 6 (Primary 7). Here we have put together some easy activities that you … Read more
“I started lots of great stories when I was a child, but I NEVER finished them. Sometimes I even abandoned them mid-sentence. Shocking, I know.” Francesca Simon, author of the Horrid Henry series, shares her top tips for finishing a story. It’s easy to start a story, and it’s hard to finish one. But help … Read more
With Key Stage 2 SATs slowly appearing on the horizon, you might be wondering how you can best help your Year 6 child prepare. Fortunately, we have a wide range of useful resources to give you a head start in figuring out exactly what SATs involve and how you can support your child. Take a … Read more
Every writer wants to find the perfect words to tell their story. These activities will guide your child through four ways to make their language sparkle, from creating striking similes to wielding unusual words. Remind your child to share their dazzling prose with the world by submitting a story to this year’s BBC 500 Words … Read more
Every story needs a star. From famous footballers to pet hamsters to superheroes, unforgettable characters make stories come to life. These four fun activities will help any aspiring author dream up some page-turning protagonists. Make sure you remind your child to submit their finished story to this year’s BBC 500 Words short story competition by … Read more
As part of their SATs, your Year 6 child will soon be tested in all areas of the key stage 2 maths curriculum. In order to do this, they must sit three separate papers: one arithmetic paper and two mathematical reasoning papers. Schools will of course be making sure that your child is as ready … Read more
Great stories have page-turning plots that keep readers glued to their seats to find out what happens next. These activities will help your child turn their brilliant ideas into a fantastic story with a beginning, middle, and end, and maybe a twist or two along the way as well. Make sure your child submits their … Read more