Over the Easter break, the BBC reported this item regarding bored year 1 children that were going through boot camp:

Five-year-olds are being prevented from engaging in traditional play as they are under too much pressure from the national tests, teachers have warned.

According to the article, children in Year 1 felt ruled by the bell but is this an accurate reflection for all schools or not?

The teacher, from Keighley, went on to explain how pressure is now put on Year 1 teachers to prepare children for tests by removing sand, water, role-play etc and replacing with work space which, in her opinion, ‘’is a good model for how to switch children off and create failure'’.

In Year 1, children are already bored by constant assessment and tests. They know they’re going to be tested.

I’ll ask my daughter what she thinks of year one, being a current year one person herself.
‘’Fine!'’ comes the response, followed sharply by, ‘’Hey! What are you doing?'’
Instantly suspicious at my question she peers over the top of my laptop to read what I am writing, upside down.
‘’That says year 1!'’ I’ve been clumsy with my questioning ‘technique’ but perhaps if you get 2 mins perhaps you could add some depth to this posting?

Maybe you could ask some of the year one’s at your school and post their thoughts up here as comments? Also how does the PYP (Primary Years Programme) from the International Baccalaureate Organization measure up in the area of assessment and testing? Is the PYP taking play away?

JB