Dear Parents,
That time we all thought was a long way away, all those months ago, is now only just around the corner! Our children are nearly ready to step out of Key Stage 1 and up into Key Stage 2. For those parents who have older children already further up the school, they will be old hands at dealing with the transition from Year 2 to Year 3, but for those for whom this is the first time we have put together a few notes, which we hope will be helpful as you talk to your children over the coming weeks and months. The transition should be smooth and enjoyable and the children should really enjoy all the challenges that Year 3 will bring ... we know that they are ready for them!
Year 3 (and Key Stage 2) Expectations - new aspects for our children and parents to know and understand
Learning at Home in Year 3
The style of Home learning in Year 3 is somewhat different to Year 2. A greater emphasis is placed on independent home learning as the children are given a thematic matrix, based on their current learning theme. The children are able to choose from a range of "learning styled" activities - Maths/Logic, Word and Art/Social. Similar to Year 2, all home learning is optional, however each Matrix does have a "Mandatory Task" that the children are expected to complete.
Year 3 have a few different routines, which our children will need to get used to. It would be lovely if you could help us by talking the children through them:
- Children sit where they like at lunch time on the ground floor of the canteen.
- Children no longer need to approach the teacher on duty with their plate when they have finished at lunchtime. The teacher will watch them and let them know if there is a problem with their choices or the amount eaten.
- They need to let the teacher know if there is a message from home as there are no Red Books - teachers are very happy to receive and answer emails as well.
- They need to learn to tie shoe laces please (football and t-ball boots are used for PE lessons in Year 3).
- The children need to stay out first thing in the mornings (they come in when they first arrive and leave their bags in their lockers and then go straight outside) – they are then allowed back in at 07:30, when they can change their books. Parents do not accompany the children into the block in the morning and wait outside at home time to meet them.
- There are an extra 40 minutes each day in Key Stage 2 - they will finish at 14:30.
- Playtime is later at 09:50 and lunch is at 12:10. The children are also able to use the Snack Bar.
- The children go on their own to specialist lessons, ECAs and buses (once initially walked through the routines and locations during the first week or two).
- The ECA programme takes place between 14:30 and 15:45 each day.
We hope that these points will help in any discussions you have with your children over the forthcoming weeks before they start in Year 3 - we know that they are excited by the move and we would like to make it as smooth and happy as we can.
Kind regards,
The Year 2 Team. | 
