So upset and sad for DD2, and angry with her school

[drivinmecrazy]

DD2 (yr3) got her school report on Friday. or many reasons we are not happy. it is quite clear to us (and teaching friends) that they have inflated her NC levels. She's finished yr 3 with 2A writing, 2B reading, 3C maths, 3C science.

DD2 is not confident with her 2,5 &10 times tables, still uses fingers for her 2 times tables, Does not understand that 4 x 5 gives the same answer as 5 X4. Many many other examples.

Her writing uses very few connectives, mis-spelling of many common words. Her ideas are stilted and show no depth at all. Her use of punctuation is eratic. Work has been ticked with obvious, glaring mistakes left un-corrected. some days she has managed to write a title for a piece of work copied from the board and gone no further.

She is reading level 7 oxford reading tree. Both her TA & I read with her every day and have realized how her reading is so much stronger when we cover the pictures. However her teacher refuses to do this and her reading record is full of comments about how DD2 is easily distracted by the pictures. If the pictures aren't covered, she will make up words, skip sentences, and comments include 'must read whats on the page'

I could go on and on and on. DD2 has a TA who works closely with her group, yet there is never any indication on her work whether it has been independent or assisted work (though TBH its pretty obvious)

We are always at loggerheads with the school over her progress. Friday afternoon I left a message for the Head to ring, same yesterday. went into school office who assured me Head would ring.

This morning school secretary has told me Head wants me to talk to her class teacher first. Great! but teacher not available til after school (last day today). this wont give me anytime to see the Head.

I feel sad, tired and angry. Fortunately DD2 is an amazingly happy little girl with an amazing sense of humour (on one piece of work teacher has commented how her work looks suspiciously similar to her friends, DD2 has written next to the teacher 'sorry Miss xxx' But she is aware she's not as clever as others and its so sad to see because she is as bright as a button.

How can we make them listen? I can almost hear the Head rolling her eyes and sighing whenever she see us.

[2468Motorway]

I don't know what to suggest it doesn't sound like the school are communicating at all well with you. Could you ask to see the teacher and the head at the same time?

Level 7 ort, is low ish for a 2b in reading I agree.

[northernlurker]

HAs she got a different teacher next year?

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

Sounds like a very poor school if the head can't make the time to call you back. It's not supporting your child at all and will stifle her self esteem in the long run. Is there anywhere else she can go?

[drivinmecrazy]

Yes she has. her teacher this year has been a young teacher in her first job, she was just bought in for 2 terms to cover. Next years teacher is quite experienced so am hoping they will get a grip on things. Just really hate seeing her slip further behind. She is a late August baby, and that's always been the schools excuse. But she's going into yr4 so they cannot keep using her age to justify it. If anything, she should be getting more support. Her reading age they've given her is 7.06, last July it was 6.11 (class average 9.03) so she's slowly slipping further.

[drivinmecrazy]

We have considered changing schools, but she is such a social butterfly and is so confident where she is that we're worried a change might knock any confidence she has. We are having a tutor next year to try and bolster her

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

Sounds like they are making excuses rather than doing anything to help. I'd say staying there would knock any confidence she has more than moving her.

[drivinmecrazy]

Sadly I think you might be right.

[FannyMcNally]

What were her ks1 levels? Teachers have to show progress has been made and find this difficult if the previous year's scores were not accurate.

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

Have a think. You could see how things go with her new teacher, they shouldn't be allowing her to coast like this though.

[drivinmecrazy]

Her KS1 results weren't at all clear. Last July she was assessed at 2c & 2b. But in September I went to see the Head for reassurance (again) she would be given more support and was told her yr2 SAT papers were sent away for moderating, as a result she was dropped a sub-set. I really doubt, if I hadn't been to see the Head that I would have been told her new levels. I think this has added to my doubts about her teacher assessed levels this year.

I'm also suspicious that by giving her these grades she is (just) within the boundaries of expected levels for yr3.

[PhoenixUprising]

I think this inflating of grades is very common - particularly for kids with dyslexia and other learning difficulties.

The teacher has to show progress between Sep and July - and that is why they inflate grades.

It's easy to tick boxes on the APP grid and say they can do stuff - even if they don't do it every time or regularly.

The levels are very subjective and it's easy for teachers to say whatever level they want.

There's stuff all you can do - besides realise that school won't help your child and you will have to do everything yourself.

[ICanTotallyDance]

I understand your anxiety at changing schools but Year 4 is one of the normal (though not major) moving points so do consider it. A good school makes a world of difference!

I would get her some help over the summer. Normally I say tutoring outside of school is bad, especially at only Yr 3 but the schools actions have been lacking. At the end of Yr 3 she should have covered all her times tables and know 2, 5 and 10 back to front. Is your DD1 at a different school?

I would also chat, if I could, to the teacher for next year but I assume your school has let out. Could any of your teaching friends recommend schools or tutor her? Also, can they recommend next years teacher?

Sorry for your wee girl, terrible to be let down by her school so much.

[greenfolder]

my dd is dyslexic. I taught her to read- now I would sign up to the reading chest and up the number of books she reads- teach her in the way that works and treat the reading she does at school as an optional extra. my dd wasnt diagnosed until 11- and only because i paid for a private consultation. It helped me to understand her issues but to be honest, every school was rubbish. Teach what she needs to know yourself. and ignore levels given by the school.