Year 1: Assessments & Home Learning Support

A Free, Self-Paced Guide for UK Home Educators

Not sure what “Year 1 level” English actually looks like? Whether your child is starting Year 1, working through it, or finishing Year 1, this free, self-paced guide helps you understand what skills to look for, what matters most, and what usually comes next — without testing, pressure, or formal marking. Designed especially for UK home educators, it gives you clarity and confidence when supporting your child’s English at home.

What This Guide Is (and Isn’t)

✔ A reference point not a test

✔ A parent-led guide not a teacher-led programme

✔ A tick-off checklist not pass/fail

✔ Completely free and self-paced

You’ll find:

Short YouTube videos to watch
Simple quizzes to support understanding
A checklist to note what your child can do

You move through everything at your own pace, in your own time.

Who It’s For & What You’ll Be Looking For

Who This Is For

This guide is ideal if you are:

A UK home educator (main audience)
New to home education and unsure what’s expected
Supporting a child at any point across Year 1
Wanting reassurance without comparison

(It can also support after-school learning, but it’s primarily designed for home-educated children.)

What You’ll Be Looking For in Year 1 English

You’ll explore the key building blocks of Year 1 English:

Phonics

Phase 2, 3, 4, and 5 sounds
Tricky words at each stage
Applying phonics in real reading

Reading

Reading simple books with growing confidence
Blending unfamiliar words
Reading sentences with understanding

Word Reading & Context

Using phonics in context
Recognising common words automatically

Grammar & Comprehension (Intro Level)

Understanding what is read
Answering simple questions
Early sentence awareness

Each section helps you notice:

✔ Secure

✔ Developing

✔ Not yet and that’s okay

Start, Progress, and Track (Free)

This guide helps you see:

What’s typical at the start of Year 1
What children often work towards by the end of Year 1
Why progress isn’t always linear, especially in home education

You’re not expected to tick everything at once.

This is about awareness, not rushing.

What You Get (Free)

✔ Access to all videos

✔ Simple quizzes for reflection

✔ A Year 1 English tick-off checklist

✔ Clear, parent-friendly explanations

✔ A calm, no-pressure approach

No calls. No marking. No deadlines.

👉 Access the Free Year 1 English Guide