Reception report shock bad grades

[Cons]

My DS1 brought home his first graded school report, mainly 5's or 6's. I thought this was fine until I compared it to his friend's reports, mainly 8's some 9's, I was horrified. My husband and I are very academically minded, we both have masters degrees and believe wholeheartedly in the importance of education. What are we doing wrong? We are devastated by this report as it is the first time he has been 'graded' At home it is hard to get him to do his homework, he is not interested at all in reading, writing, maths etc. He would rather be playing. I thought this was the normal behaviour of a 5 year old boy but thought he was doing OK at school, which he obviously isn't. Should we get a tutor? It seems a bit ridiculous when he is so young but I don't want him to get even further behind next year. Are our expectations too high??

[thestringcheeseincident]

It's reception FGS.
Yes get a tutor, teach him latin blah blah.

[notyummy]

He is 5! Please relax. I have a DD at the same stage, and we haven't been given the marks like this in a report (although I believe they are available should we wish them to be.) I wouldn't dream of asking other parents what their children are 'scoring'. Seems a bit nosy and a stereotypical 'pushy parent' thing to do. The only person you should be talking to is the teacher, and I would imagine she will say that you have a perfectly ordinary lovely little boy who develop in his own time. I am sure you are reading with him and encouraging him already - please don't start fretting and hothousing.

[happywheezer]

When was he born?
He's a boy.
Yes to most of your questions

[pozzled]

It is the normal behaviour of a 5 year-old boy- your 5 year-old boy. What his friend is good at has no bearing whatsoever on your child's education.

Stop thinking in terms of 'grades', find out what 5s and 6s actually mean and what the next steps are. Try encouraging him with a few fun games, and everyday 'maths'. Read exciting books to him. Encourage and support any interests he has. But mostly, stop stressing.

[Bonkerz]

Anything 6 and above is actually above average so seems the report is actually good. It's well known boys do not take well to reading and writing until much later anyway and remember he will have been doing the EYFS which is mostly child and play led. He is five. See where he is in a year but praise him fgs

[paddingtonbear1]

Yes, for this stage your expectations are too high. I assume your ds's teacher hasn't raised any concerns?
FWIW my dd was exactly the same in reception. She got grade 6 and above for everything, which tbh was a load of bs as she could barely read or write!

[Cons]

He was born in July, summer baby, but most of his friends are. I know we are a bit pushy but we want him to do well at school which is not a crime in our book. Thanks - notyummy, hopefully he is a late starter. All of our friends have told us not to worry but then their children have great grades!

[cyb]

Yes this is a joke

There is no homework in Reception

[oddgirl]

I sense this may not be a serious thread....

[thisisyesterday]

there most certainly is homework in reception, esp so if you are at a private school.

[UpsyDozy]

I suspect this isn't a joke as I know personally many parents who have tutors for their 5 year olds. One family actually has a tutor for their 4 year old.

[BrokenBananaTantrum]

My daughter has homework in reception. Reading each night and a maths worksheet and spellings to do at the weekend.

OP don't worry. He is only little and will be fine. Playing should be his priority right now.

[happywheezer]

My boy is a summer boy too. I'm also a primary teacher.I'm probably going to have to face the fact that he is not going to be as able as a girl born in September.Maybe. How did they evaluate him?
I see where you are coming from. Who doesn't want the best for their children?

[notyummy]

To be fair, my DD goes to a bog standard primary school and gets homework in reception (and has done since week 3.) Maths challenge once a week, 3 different books to read a week, plus occasional other things to 'discuss and a draw a picture' or 'discuss and write some words that describe x.'

[sarararararah]

Whoooah! Calm down, please. 5s and 6s are perfectly normal scores at the end of reception. He's doing just fine. Really. (Am a teacher who taught R until this year - now teach Year 1.) 8s and 9s are exceptional scores (9 means they are working at Year 1 level.) Preferring to play absolutely IS normal behaviour for all 5 year olds. You may find he accelerates in Year 1 or Year 2; this often happens. The reading, writing, maths side will click in to place when he is ready. PLEASE don't even think about tutoring. This is very early days and as I already said 5s and 6s are normal scores! You should be pleased with him! Please don't let him know you are disappointed, that really would be counterproductive. And for the future, don't compare with friends again. DCs all progress at different rates. When he was a baby his peers all crawled/walked/talked at different points didn't they? It's the same now. Comparing only causes heartache. Really. I hope your DS has enjoyed his reception year and has made lots of friends because it sounds like he's made a pretty good start to school life to me. HTH

[PGTip]

There is homework in Reception, it depends on the teacher. In my dc school one reception teacher gives it every week, the other doesn't give it at all.

[RitaMorgan]

Please try to chill out or you'll put your son off school for ever!

[EddiesTeddy]

My son is about to leave reception and has four reading books per week and homework too right from the first week! So it does happen (dreading year1)

[Cons]

Thanks everyone, we have arranged to speak to his teacher too. Its hard when everyone else is getting 8's and 9's, I would rather not have known, but then ignorance is bliss. I feel like we have to do something to help him. He's a very popular, confident little boy but we want him to do well academically too.

[Taffeta]

Lovely post, sarara

What sarara said

[crazygracieuk]

Your expectations are too high. My August born ds had similar grades. I admit being a bit disappointed but he has worked really hard. He is being compared to children 11 months older and has made loads of friends which is more important right now. He has plenty of time to catch up including over the summer holidays where you can practice reading/ writing etc so he doesn't regress.

[SleepyCaz]

cyb - my son leaves reception this year and he has reading books, words and homework every week.

That said, I think the OP is on a wind up.

[ThePosieParker]

NEVER ever compare!! Is your child sociable and making friends at the end of reception?

Job done.

Please don't make assumptions or level expectations on the basis of this first year of school.

[ThePosieParker]

If he was German he wouldn't be at school for another year....they do much better than English kids at school too!!