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Is child really bright or is this just the norm is certain areas?

96 replies

Knacks · 08/07/2013 17:27

My Yr4 child has just got end of yr results and got 4a 4a and 4b (apparently this is the level expected at end yr6). Is this normal in certain areas/schools or is this an exception and should we be looking into alternatives (although I have no idea what...)? The school don't have G&T and apparently work at different levels within the classroom although she loves the school and only about once a week comes home saying it was dull and too easy but she's generally just very happy. What do the results go up to anyway before they change the grading structure? Confused

OP posts:
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JakeBullet · 08/07/2013 17:29

We had a similar thread to this last week, will see if I can find a link as lots of questions answered there as I recall.

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FiveHoursSleep · 08/07/2013 17:33

That's normal for the top set in our school ( about 20/90 kids)so I'd say your child is bright but a decent primary school should be able to keep them progressing.

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BigBoobiedBertha · 08/07/2013 17:41

She sounds very bright. My DS2 also has 3 x 4a and he is pretty much top of his Yr 4 class although he isn't alone. They also don't bother with G &T at his school.

They are both working at the average yr 6 level but in our school they have just introduced the level 6 paper for the KS2 Sats which they haven't bothered with before so there is a fair bit of stretching to do. As far as I know they can't go any higher at KS2 but since that is the equivalent to what the average 13/14 yr old should be getting I think that is still pushing them quite a bit.

DS also says he is bored sometimes but I never know if the work is too easy or he just sometimes doesn't find some things very interesting as we all don't from time to time.

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cece · 08/07/2013 17:43

Top group for the DC in my DS1 class/year group.

Why would you want to do anything else - the school sound like they are stretching her and she will probably work towards level 6 in year 6.

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Elibean · 08/07/2013 17:45

If they work at different levels, that should do it - especially as she's generally very happy and not bored Smile

I know my Y4 dd is on 4b for maths as are several of her friends...and also know she'll be higher than that for reading, but no idea for writing. She isn't the only one, maybe 4-6/29.

But it is great, so be happy!

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JakeBullet · 08/07/2013 17:50

Gah, cant find the other thread, a shame as the OP had a very similar question to you regarding results as he child was showing results 2-3 years ahead. I know there was some good stuff on the thread too...if I come across it I will link.

I agree though that she sounds very bright Smile

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Iamnotminterested · 08/07/2013 17:52

What FiveHoursSleep said, essentially. A switched-on primary should be able to stretch the most able just fine. DD is also coming to the end of year 4 and is into level 5 for literacy but the level 6 papers should keep her on her toes come year 6.

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clam · 08/07/2013 18:27

^^ What they've all said. I have Yr 4 and there are 3 or maybe 4 children operating at this level out of 30. Well within the parameters of normal differentiation.
The class range is 2B to 4A for reading and maths, with 2C to 4B in writing.

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curlew · 08/07/2013 18:31

Perfectly normal for Mumsnet Grin

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AvonCallingBarksdale · 08/07/2013 18:40

DS got 4C X3 at the end of year 3 - don't know about yr 4 yet. He does get stretched at school - think they adapt tasks IYSWIM. Main thing is that your dd is happy there. You can do extra at home if you want to.

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curlew · 08/07/2013 18:42

See? Grin

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AvonCallingBarksdale · 08/07/2013 18:49

Ha walked into that didn't I Wink! Just answering the question y'know!

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Shootingstar79 · 08/07/2013 19:39

Normal at our school in that we have about 10ish out of 45 working at this level at the end of year 4 most years. They have been our level 6 group at the end of y6 the last few years. before that there was a slight danger that this group could be left to coast a little in y6-having already secured a l5 ( maximum level at that point). Now they are continually extended as we want them to achieve level 6s.

I cannot imagine it would be that unusual in many areas though I could be wrong? perhaps 5bish at the end of y4.

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MirandaWest · 08/07/2013 19:47

DS is in year 4 and school has cunningly told us if they are below, at or above average and given levels for each with the top one (for year 4) being 4c and above so I know he is at least 4c although not exactly what Grin

He is in top group and fairly clever but not exceptional iyswim.

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Schmedz · 08/07/2013 19:49

My DD is in year 4 and has just come home with 4a across the board of subjects that report using the NC levels. I don't think she's particularly bright and certainly what I've seen of her work doesn't seem all that impressive to me, so maybe the levels are getting easier! Or maybe a year 4 level 4 is different to a year 5 or 6 level 4. I don't teach a 'core' subject so couldn't comment.
She is quite average in her school so perhaps the selective intake skews my perception of what she can do...

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JakeBullet · 08/07/2013 20:35

Can I chuck in here that DS is in Y5 and is achieving 2C -3 across the board . But from where he was it is utterly amazing progress...he is autistic though and has really struggled. His school are supporting him well AND his friend who is doing the 11+ next year and is VERY bright.
A good school should indeed differentiate for all abilities.

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Growlithe · 08/07/2013 20:45

DD (Y4) has also got 3 4as this year. I was very happy. I am biased but I think she is a bright girl, however it doesn't seem exceptional for the top set in Literacy and Maths in her year group at her school. She got 3 4cs last year so it does seem like an average 2 sub level progression. I am pleased that she seems to be an 'all-rounder' academically.

One thing I am a bit concerned with is that she is getting told off a bit for chatting this year. Previously she had been a bit of a goody two shoes, so I'm wondering if she has coasted a bit this year. However, we have just got the holiday homework pack and it seems quite meaty, and the accompanying letter suggested things do step up in Y5, so it looks like she'll have to get her head down. She'll also be preparing for the 11+, so it should be an interesting year.

She plays a couple of instruments at the moment. I saw this as a bit of a stretch for her, something a bit different rather than piling more academic stuff on her just so we can say she's bright.

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numbum · 08/07/2013 21:01

holiday homework pack Sad

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Growlithe · 08/07/2013 21:14

Oh numbum please tell me every school gets these because we've been getting them since Y2. Sad

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BigBoobiedBertha · 08/07/2013 21:17

We don't get them. We have the optional library reading challenge and I think a couple of years there has been a story writing competition but on the whole, the holidays are holidays.

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dietcokeandwine · 08/07/2013 21:17

God holiday homework pack sounds a bit grim!

I would agree with the other posters-the norm for the top sets in many schools, bright but not necessarily exceptional. In some areas it will probably be seen as fairly typical. For example my Y4 DS has achieved a 4 in reading, and is considered middle ability in his school. So the higher groups will easily have achieved 4as. DS also got 3a in maths, around 'expected level' nationally, but in his school he's in the bottom maths set and considered one of the less able. So the three or four groups above him will probably have achieved level 4s pretty much across the board.

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dietcokeandwine · 08/07/2013 21:22

Growlithe I have to say I've never heard of a holiday homework pack, we've certainly never had one and I don't know anyone from either state or private sector who have had them either. Sounds like your dd's school like to ensure they don't get too much downtime...must be hard, even if you have a child who enjoys homework stuff.

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steppemum · 08/07/2013 21:23

no holiday homework here (thank goodness)

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Growlithe · 08/07/2013 21:27

God I thought the holiday homework was normal. Shock This year there are about 30 odd maths questions, which was a lot I thought. I haven't looked at the english yet. The library reading challenge is on top.

Is that really over the top? I'd complain but I'm too scared.

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cece · 08/07/2013 22:47

In 20 plus years of teaching I have never heard of a holiday homework pack for the summer holidays. Sad

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