Dissapointing School Report

[berry007]

Received DD?s end of Y1 school report and I am very disappointed. I start to wonder if we should start to look for another school......

At the end of the Reception, DD?s progress was rated as outstanding in all areas. In contrast, at the end of Y1, DD achieved - 1c which is below average. For illustration, Reception report states: DD can confidently count up to 20 and Y1 report states: DD can count well up to 20. To be fair, DD was born in August thus is the youngest child in the class. DD is active, loves learning and is very enthusiastic. On the downside, she gets easily bored. However, I must say I do find it surprising that her counting didn?t improve at all. What I find even more alarming is that throughout the year, the teacher didn?t highlight any areas we could be working on although we do ask regularly. The only response we go was that DD was improving!!! I am not sure if I am being unreasonable but I am actually thinking of talking to the Head teacher. What has gone wrong? Am I being unreasonable?

Any comments and thoughts welcome....

[AgentZigzag]

To me you're overthinking it a bit, she's only little

You're looking at the detail too much, nothing's gone wrong they're just trying to assess a very young child with a measure that fits every child of the same age.

It's just not possible and you can't really judge them as failing her because of it.

Perhaps they only said she can count well up to 20 because that's all they needed to assess? When she can probably count up to 50, but the assessment was only to 20.

[fortyplus]

Is your dd happy at the school? Mixing well with her classmates? if so then relax and leave her where she is.. You're sounding rather pfb-ish bet it's a private school

[AgentZigzag]

'Is your dd happy at the school? Mixing well with her classmates?'

That's all I want to know about, and the bit the teachers never seem to give you voluntarily!

I know other people are more concerned about the grading bit, but I've never understood what the grades actually meant been that bothered with it.

[berry007]

Thanks for your comments. You are right, I just need to chill out . Actually, I feel a bit bad now as I did not praised DD and focused on the marks only! It also states that DD is a delightful chatty little girl, who is always happy..... I need to stop putting pressure on her and just be happy that she loves her school and classmates...

[missingmumxox]

hahahahahahaha, my boys DT's are in yr 2 and in dec 2011 where getting P8, and I think they where being generious in that, March 12 they where getting justifiably 2b's and A's, and one has been diganosed as dyslexic, so chill Mummy or Daddy OP :) if you want proff I will PM you the reports :)

[missingmumxox]

sorry wrongly put, your child will find their level and have fits and starts, so long as they continue to improve that is the main thing, I thought I had a couple of duffers,(I was a duffer at school doing very well now) which I am wishing I did! having now found out how much my friends are shelling out on grammar school uniforms!

[lovebunny]

if she's happy, leave her where she is. and plan and deliver your own programme of education at home, so you can be sure she gets what you think she needs. a home-ed supplement needn't take up much time or be arduous (is that a word?) as enrichment is the key - visits, new experiences, hobbies...

[FallenCaryatid]

Delightfully chatty...
Lacks concentration when working in a group or remembering what she should be doing to complete an activity perhaps? If she's happy, I'd leave it and see if maturity helps her achieve higher results next year. Talk to the teacher, conversations are usually more useful than a report anyway.

[SquidgyBiscuits]

I think you're being a bit over-enthusiastic in wanting to talk to the head. Why not ask for a meeting with the teacher to discuss the report? Is that not the norm anyway?

And how did you not know until now that your DD's counting hasn't improved anyway? Do you not do things like that with her yourself??

[anyoneknowanything]

You focused on results - for a six year old - that's so sad :(.

She will end up hating school if you don't relax.

[Julesnobrain]

Missing what does P8 mean? Dd had it on her report for reading. I was not sure what it meant. DD has difficulties and is on Action Plus. Might be Dyslexic but been told she's not old enough for assessment. She is in yr 1

[WaitingForMe]

I'd want to chat to the teacher to check. DSS1s school has been great BUT I think their greatness is also tied to the fact that DH and his ex ask lots of questions. He's dyspraxic and the fact I attend SENCO meetings along with DH and his ex highlights how important we all feel his development is.

I don't think it's unreasonable to be assertive about your child's education.

[FallenCaryatid]

Jules, p scales are what you use to assess a child's progress before they have reached a NC level 1.
www.education.gov.uk/popularquestions/childrenandfamilies/specialeducationalneeds/a005395/what-are-p-scales-and-how-do-i-get-hold-of-a-copy

[OutInAllWeathers]

You are 'very disappointed' in your six year old daughters report even though it said all those lovely things about her personality???

[TantrumsAndBalloons]

In a year 1 school report, the part you should be focussing on IMO is whether she is happy in the class, enjoys activities, has made friends, not what level she is on.

In 10 years time, you won't even remember what year 1 level she got.
She has just started school, she's, what, 6?

Being so concerned and negative about her report at this age, especially if you do it in front of her and do give her any praise for trying hard, doing well, etc is only going to cause anxiety later on for you and your Dd.

Everyone is so focused on results, it's great to want your DCs to do well but at 6 years old I think it's a bit over the top.

And what exactly would you say to the head teacher?
It sounds like you want to complain, what are you complaining about?

[Julesnobrain]

Thanks fallen

[exoticfruits]

DD is active, loves learning and is very enthusiastic.

That is the most important thing-it will stand her in good stead for the future. Changing schools isn't going to do he confidence any good and who is to say that it would be any different?
If she is happy I would leave well alone-she is very young.

[BlackholesAndRevelations]

P levels are pre-national curriculum and are only meant to be used for children with sen. If it helps, the next level up is 1c, which is one sub level below national average for end if year 1.

Op- make an appointment to discuss report with her teacher if you're unhappy about it. It would be awful if you went straight to ht.

[exoticfruits]

She has another 12 years-plenty of time ahead!

[sensuallettuce]

Jeez OP chill out - shes 6?!

[BalloonSlayer]

There's no reason why you can't have an appointment to see the teacher and say that while you're chuffed with the lovely comments about her, she doesn't seem to have progressed at all with the learning side of things . . . say the counting. You have the two reports to show the teacher and compare, and ask: "Is there a problem?"

[dementedma]

she's only a wee one - please relax. she sounds bright, friendly and happy.
School reports are fairly useless tbh - chat directly to the teacher if you are worried but honestly can't see a single thing to be worried about.

On one of DS's reports, the H/T has written " J has made excellant (sic) progress". Obviously an inability to spell didn't hamper the H/Ts career!

[alistron1]

I have a summer baby (well, he's nearly 13!!) and I tend to 'judge' his progress in comparison with the year group below him. For example, his progress in Y8 is ok, but if he had been born a couple of weeks later he'd be in Y7 and be a genius(!)

[bamboostalks]

misssingmumxox Moving from P8 to 2A in 3 months? I am astonished at that. Have I understood you correctly?