Primary Update - End of term special
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Welcome to our special end of term Primary Update. Here we take a look at Bug Club Phonics DfE revalidation, newly revised Power Maths Reception resources and our free downloadable Summer Fun Activities pack. We also see what the DfE’s new Early Reading Framework document means for you and explore the key challenges and priorities of almost 3,000 teachers.
Bug Club Phonics is revalidated by DfE!
We are delighted to say that the DfE has revalidated Bug Club Phonics in the first validation window! It has been deemed to meet all the criteria for an effective systematic synthetic phonics programme and is eligible for funding via the English Hubs.
Free summer learning pack
We’re sending you a downloadable Summer Fun Activities pack for children aged 4-11 over the holidays. It’s full of free activities across literacy, maths, science and more. Including the fantastic Maths Factor Summer Adventure online course, and the Summer Reading Challenge.
Early Reading Framework and what it means for your school
The DfE have just released a new Early Reading Framework, a new, non-statutory guidance document released by the Department for Education which examines best practice in early reading, and how you can give children the best start in reading.
Announcing Power Maths Reception second edition
We are delighted to announce the new editions of:
- Power Maths Reception Pupil Journals A, B and C
- Power Maths Reception Teacher Guides A, B and C
Our mastery resources for Reception are now fully aligned to the revised EYFS goals and Development Matters guidance.
Improvements include:
- two additional weeks of content (Subtraction and Composing & decomposing shapes)
- updates throughout the programme in line with the new EYFS Framework
- subitising resources you can use throughout the year (see under Teaching Guidance on the Resources page within ActiveLearn)
- extra activities for day five which provide a practical and fun way to consolidate the week’s learning
- an updated progression, giving more opportunities to revisit key ideas throughout the year (e.g. shape, space and measures content split out so 3D and 2D shapes can be introduced earlier).
The newly revised content for Power Maths users on ActiveLearn Primary is available now.
‘The Show Must Go On’ – a Q&A with its proud primary school reviewers
The latest addition to Bug Club Independent Reading, ‘The Show Must Go On’, is a beautifully illustrated tale based within the fairground community.
As the story was developed, representing the Showman way of life to primary pupils became not only a deep passion for its authors – Michelle Russell and Richard O’Neill – but a point of unity for young reviewers at Thorntree Primary in Glasgow. Having gathered their thoughts on the project, Justine Horn, the school’s Deputy Head, explains on behalf of the pupils why the book was such a significant focus for them.
Insights from the primary community: priorities and challenges
Amid an ever-changing year, insights and feedback from the you and young people we work with drive everything that we do now more than ever.
Every school is unique but we believe it’s important to share our research with you to drive conversation and share and ideas across the education community.
What are primary schools’ key challenges and priorities this term and looking ahead?
To find out and explore how we can support you best, we commissioned a survey with Teacher Tapp and asked nearly 3,000 primary educators for their thoughts.