If your a teacher would you take offence if I asked you what level my DD yr2 is working at?

[educator123]

Esp as they don't seem to give them out or its never mentioned and I've also been considering moving her

[christinecagney]

No, not at all offended. The school should be telling you regularly without you having to ask, IMHO. (I'm a HT).

[HumphreyCobbler]

I would not be offended. I would just tell you what level they were working at. This is part of my job.

[Pozzled]

I agree, it's fine to ask.

[CockyFox]

I think its fine to ask, but at DSs school they refused to share the information on the grounds that it causes a competitive atmosphere amongst parents. That is until OFSTED told them they had to share and they now send it out at the end of each term, that said it's nonsense as I was told DS is level 2a for writing despite the very obvious fact that he is not ( he writes 2 or 3 sentences at most with no adjectives adverbs or connectives and most often forgets full stops and capital letters) probably just his school though as they are an Infant school and don't have to worry about value added for KS2.

[educator123]

Thank you, it never concerned me before but since I've been considering moving schools I feel it's important that know to aid my decision.

[GW297]

No, I would be pleased you were interested.

[Acinonyx]

I don't get this about competitive parenting. Who are all these parents comparing sat levels? I don't know the level of any other child in dd's class. Dd herself doesn't know her own levels let alone anyone else's - she's never shown any interest so I haven't discussed it with her.

Myself, I find one of dd's levels hard to believe as she seems a lot less competent to me. I've raised this a number of times but it remains an unresolved mystery.

[educator123]

Its not about competitive parenting for me and I would hate for the children to be aware of levels that would be awful.

But I have had some concerns with my dd/school therefore I want reassurance that she is progressing ok.

[ipadquietly]

Knowing her current level won't really tell you her progress at the school.

Her progress (and hence the school's performance regarding your dd) will be measured loosely from her EYFS scores, and, more concretely, NC progression throughout Y1 and Y2.

You need to be asking her entry NC level in Y1 and checking for 1 1/3+ (ish) levels progress to this point in Y2. For instance, if her entry level in Y1 was a 1c in reading, you would be looking at a current level of around 2b/2a. This is expected progress.

This information should be available from the school's target tracking data. I wouldn't mind giving a parent this info, and explaining any anomalies or discrepancies.

[educator123]

Thank you that's helpful.
I always feel a bit like I'm checking up on the teachers by asking these things esp as it's a small close knit school.
But I've worried in the past about dds literacy so it would put my mind at ease to know if she is or isn't progressing as expected.

[gabsid]

This seemed to be a very difficult issue at my DS's infant school last year. When I thought the maths he was doing at school was too easy I kept asking and asking but did not get any specific answer, neither did I see his book.

When I asked for his level directly I was told (by the deputy head) that it was school policy not to give them to parents. The HT told me in the end and she said it is to avoid competition in the playground, and to allow the children to develop at their own pace.

Otherwise, I feel our infant school is a good school (ofsted thinks so too) and I do like her play orientated approach.

My DD starts next Sep and I will let her know in due time that I want to know levels at the end of each year as I want to know how she gets on in every way, that includes academics - and just to know, nothing else.

[Cinammonandcaramel]

You can tell her reading level easily if she brings home a reading scheme book. Even easier if you know her coloured book band level.

[gabsid]

They ended up moving DS up 3 table groups in maths. I worked with him at home but he wasn't showing it at school as he was easily distracted and not concentrating, but when his teacher reassessed his maths 1:1 he did very well - I just felt I wasn't listened to and just told he was fine, I felt patronised.

[ReallyTired]

If a teacher refuses to give you your child's levels then you can make a formal request under the data protection act.

I have asked for my son's levels at the end of every academic year. (I only ever had to use the data protection act once wiith a really unhelpful teacher and found he had made virtually no progress.)

"You can tell her reading level easily if she brings home a reading scheme book. Even easier if you know her coloured book band level"

Thats not true. A child may well be able to bark at print but have no clue what they are reading. You need a good reading comprehension to access a child's reading.

[cece]

I have a very good idea of the levels of the children in my class and would therefore have no problem being able to provide this information. Indeed I do at every parents evenning and in their end of year reports.

[Itsjustafleshwound]

But then in Yr 2 there is the SAT Key Stage I tests - so the teacher would really be keen to get parents on board and up to speed on where they expect the children to be?

I woukd also be looking at what happens to the acores between KSI and KS II

[Magdalenebaby]

Can't believe so many schools are refusing to share this information with parents. We use an online service called School Pupil Tracker. Parents have a login that gives them access to their children's data which is updated every half term, so you can track progress. Reports and targets are also uploaded to it. It has only been running for a couple of years in our school but over time it means you will have a complete set of data for your child's time at the school.

[Greensleeves]

Er, no, of course not! You have every right to ask. I do not know any teachers who would disagree.

You can ask for information from School Pupil Tracker as well if your school uses it. You are entitled to information about your child's progress!

[AChickenCalledKorma]

At my children's school, a Yr2 child would know their own levels. Ofsted reported last week and noted this as a positive point. We also get reports twice a year, with levels for every subject. Given that this is what Ofsted are apparently looking for, I can't imagine why a teacher would take offence at being asked.

[BrittaPerry]

When DD was at school, they were very cagey. They would only say she was 'a bright girl' with no details, so I had no idea what they thought that meant. Until one days the teacher told me, in amazement that DD could read! She had been able to read fluently for months at home, to me that came under 'bright', but it turns out that she was so uncomfortable and shy at school that she hadn't told anyone, and they meant that she knew which way up to hold a book . I would have liked o know that she was doing that so I could help her to be confident.

[GW297]

You are entitled to this information. You can see almost any records on your child held by the school if you apply in writing to the HT.

[educator123]

I suppose i feel uncomfortable asking as it is very close knit and it may appear as if i am questioning the teaching.

I hhave also been considering moving my dd to a larger school (for other reasons) which they know about, so i feel they may feel like they are on trial slightly.

The pupil tracker thing sound like a fab idea, saves any awkwardness.

[ReallyTired]

"At my children's school, a Yr2 child would know their own levels."

That sounds pretty depressing. I feel that parents and older childrenhave a right to know their levels. Seven year olds should not be worrying about their levels.

[educator123]

I would really hate for my dcs to be aware of levels...I want them to be learning without feeling like they are 'learning' and just progressing while enjoying learning.
I can see why school avoid giving them but how do you know for sure that enough is being done without them!?

[Feenie]

But then in Yr 2 there is the SAT Key Stage I tests

Key Stage 1 teacher assessments - tests form a very small part of the evidence.