OK - all you all 3s in Year 2 parents - what do you expect from year 3?

[seeker]

My ds got all 3s in his year 2 SATS (one of 4 boys in the year who did) and I am a bit concerned about how they are going to maintain his interest in year 3. He's a typical boy and I know he'll go walkabout mentally if he's not kept working. But I don't want him pushed too hard or to be a pushy mother - he's only 7 and I think he should be having as much fun as possible. But I know that he has been stretched quite a lot by an excellent teacher in year 2 - and loved it - and I want to make sure the same happens next year. Any thoughts?

[filthymindedvixen]

seeker, my ds is exactly the same. I had no idea how 'able' he was as no-one had said owt to me, until he came home with the SATS thingy. I do no homework with him at all, as he doesn't want to but I suppose I ought to do something. I see him getting more and more bored at school though...

[StellaDallas]

Just come back from our parents evening. DD2, who got all 3s in Year 2, got 4 in English and 3a in Maths. We are very, very proud of her as she did work very hard this year.

[thirtysomething]

My DS was the same, now in Year 5 going into 6. Not been a problem for him...he's always been in top stream at juniors and there's no upper limit on work (unlike in infants) so he's always challenged and kept interested. Plus a lot of his friends who got lower SAT results caught up with him by end year 3 so the difference within the year wasn't that huge.

[LIZS]

Not concerned . There are enough of similar standard to dd in her class, they are also setted for the odd lesson and I know from previous experience of ds' peers that they cater for the variation very well.

SD I assume your dd has just finished Year 3 ?

[whatdayisit]

Did you have to "make sure" he was strectched in Yr2? I didn't, just left the teacher to do her job. DS1 say's he's looking forward to the juniors because "the work will be much harder". That's what they've told him. No need for me to do anything imo.

[seeker]

I don't want to do anything at home (I don't believe in homework) and so far ds is never bored - he's a cheerful soul who loves school and all the business of friends and lunchtime and PE and stuff. And I have no desire at all for him to forge ahead (even if he is capable of it and I don't know whether he is). I just want them to keep him ticking over and working to his ability. I suppose because there are 4 boys in the same position they'll do something about it - they would probably be a bit loose cannonish if they aren't kept occupied!

[StellaDallas]

Sorry, yes, end of Y3 results. She isn't any kind of genius, but she does work her socks off. And she likes to keep up with her best friend who is always top of the class.

[charliecat]

I really dont think it means that much to be honest. It means they are working ahead of whats expected of them.
And with this government setting the standards I doubt the standard expected of them is very much.

[seeker]

No I didn't have to make sure he was stretched - I was just aware that he was being because of the things he said abut his day. But his teacher in year 2 is acknowledged to be the best teacher in the school - and excellent with boys! I have a bit less faith in his year 3 teacher.

[seeker]

No, I don't think it means that much - but it does mean that he has covered a lot of the work that they do in year 3 already.

[charliecat]

Do you think it means that? I assumed it meant when they had done something where they were meant to put in full stops, they had put in full stops and capital letters and an explanation mark, just that little extra?
They will be doing different topics with different objectives in year 3? Wont they?

[myredcardigan]

I have taught Y3 and IMO there is a big enough gap to stretch any child. The jump between what's expected in Y3 compared to Y2 in IME the biggest jump in primary school.

The work is trickier, they often drop the afternoon break, they're expected to be far more independent etc. There is a dramatic difference between an autumn term Y3and the child that leaves in July as they mature so much.

Keep in mindalso that they have still done very well to get a level 3 at the end of next year. Don't expect a level 4 as it doesn't work like that. To get L3 in Y2 is just tipping the level. Children are expected to move 2thirds of a level each year if making good progress. Therefore expect a 3A at the end of Y3. Even a 3B at the end of Y3 is still good.

[myredcardigan]

Many of the Y3 objectives are 'fuller' versions of the Y2 objectives (in numeracy anyway) In literacy it will be different topics and more text based but there will still be plenty of grammar and language development activities such as synonyms and commas (Y3) rather than capital letters and full stops (Y2)

[Mercy]

Myredcardigan - dd's new Yr3 teacher said the opposite! She said Yr3 is about consolidating the skills they acquired during Ys 1&2 adn that it's those earlier years which are sometimes the hardest.

I agree that dropping the afternoon playtime will be a big difference (our school has only just started doing this, it's now as and when the children seem to need a break)

[Mercy]

sorry, x posted!

To compound matters, dd's year group has been changed from 3 forms to 2. I think some of the children (including dd) are a bit unsure about that atm.

As for playing in the big playground - now that's scary!

[robinpud]

Totally agree with myredcardigan both as a yr 3 teacher and the parent of a child going into yr3 with level 3s. L3 doesn't mean they are G & T, just above average at the time. My dc's teacher has had them for two years so has only given L3 to children consistently working at that level , not those that just achieved the required marks in the tests.

[myredcardigan]

I've taught in every year group and I think the biggest problem is expectation. They're expected to be juniors. They're expected to be more independent. They're expected to work solidly from 1.15 to 3.30. By October half term Y3 children are usually shattered in the way that Reception children are. It's just such a big jump IMO and as I said, it's one of those years where you see a dramatic difference between Sept and July.

[Mercy]

Oh no - I've got one going into Yr3 and one into Reception in September!

I'm not sure whether to be looking forward to a few early nights or dreading the whinginess!

[seeker]

I didn't say I thought he was g and t - all I said was that he got 3s and I want to make sure he has a good time next year! Who mentioned g and t?

[Gobbledigook]

Erm, I'm not really thinking about it - it's a bit of a non-issue. Ds is happy at school, I think they have the balance right of work vs play and I don't see how it's going to change in yr 3. He will continue to work to his ability while still doing fun stuff both in and out of school.

Also, quite a proportion of children got 3s and it's quite an academic school so keeping the interest of bright children doesn't seem to be a problem.

[Gobbledigook]

Mercy I also have one going into year 3 and one going into reception, plus another going into year one (suddenly they get spellings and maths homework).

I'm not aware that the afternoon break is dropped - will ask about that.

When you got your SATs results, did you get a table showing the proportion of children in your school getting each grade? We did and it shows that 3s are not particularly rare (nationally much rarer than at ds's school).

[singersgirl]

All 3s I guess is rarer than 3s in some subjects eg it is common for children to get 3s in everything except writing (if you look at the national figures, that is the lowest percentage). Science and reading seem to be the easiest to get Level 3s at ie more children seem to get them nationally.

I don't think it means much really. Since the 3s at my DSs' school are all teacher assessment, not the results of the tests, they have only given 3s if the children are consistently working at that level. That's why they gave so few for writing.

Some of the children in DS1's Y5 class who got all 3s in Y2 have not done as well as some who did not eg DS1 didn't get a 3 for maths, yet has been in the extended maths group all this year, whereas some children who got 3s have not.

Having said that, I am a tiny bit worried about DS2. His current teacher of more than 20 years' experience has absolutely got the measure of him. He has an NQT next year.

[InTheseShoes]

Couldn't agree any ore with cardigan and robinpud as a Y3 teacher - it's a huge leap for children, and the work intensifies in Y3 - lots of different things to do. I have a Y2 child who has just got 3s, and I a very pleased, but I know that when he goes into Y3 he will find the change hard - and I teach at his school, and he is having the best teacher in the school! I wouldn't worry about it, there will be loads for your son to get his teeth into. I think the other teacher who said there is lots of consolidation has a point too - you do have to consoliodate to ensure that they have the building bricks for the future - consolidation does not always infer repetition.

Level 3 is a huge level to cross. And at the end of the day is an arbitrary govt target/statistic, but that's a whole other story...

[flack]

DS just finished Y3 and we have been told nothing about what level he's on. Do most schools give annual updates, then, outside of SAT results in Y2 and Y6?

Kind of glad I don't have the Y3 info for DS, I'm happy with his progress without putting a number-letter combo to it.

[myredcardigan]

Don't worry, flack. Most schools only send levels home in Y2 & Y6 because they are the SAT results. Most schools also send the TA levels home in Y2 also to enable parents to gain a bigger picture.

Few schools send home levels in other years. Most junior classes will take optional SATs at the end of Years 3,4 &5 but these are rarely given out to parents. TBH they are more to enable teachers to track pupil progress through the juniors.