The full details of the approved baseline tests for the start of Reception are not yet available, but the suppliers promotional webpages provide samples and videos to show them in operation. Here are some extracts.
Teacher: Say Parrot without the p’
Teacher: This pencil is short, this pencil is long, this pencil is even…. Pupil: longer
Teacher: Here is a seesaw. Can you say Seesaw? Pupil: Seesaw. Teacher: Say it again but don’t say Saw. Pupil: See
Teacher: Say rub. Pupil: Rub. Teacher: Now tell me the first sound it makes. Pupil: R
Teacher: Can you tell me a word that rhymes with ‘cap’… Now say another word that begins with the same sound as shell…
Teacher: Which of these says ‘ar’ as in ‘park’ [Screen shows four two-letter sounds]
Teacher: What sounds are in the word net? Pupil: n-e-t
Teacher: I am going to sound out a word like a robot would say it: p-i-n. Can you tell me what word I have sounded out?
Teacher: Point to the b…oat. [choice of pictures on screen]
Teacher: Find the one that begins with s. [more pictures]
Teacher: Point to the picture I’m talking about ra-bit. [more pictures]
Teacher: Find the one that begins with c. [more pictures]
It is no wonder teachers are outraged. The campaign is growing: see this Open Letter signed by Christine Blower (NUT), Mary Bousted (ATL) and representatives of early education organisations.
Reclaiming Schools 