4a, 4b, 4b in Y4 and now 4a, 4a, 4a in Y5......

[clux73]

In previous years she has progressed at least 2 sub levels in each subject. Her report talks about how much she has improved so why do the levels not show that?

[loolah83]

The level system has changed now. National Curriculum levels are gone so maybe your dd's school has a new level system. Can you ask the teacher to clarify?

[clux73]

Thanks, I'll ask today. Although her whole report is really positive she now feels like she hasn't progressed which is not the case at all. I feel like she has made massive amounts of progress this year.

[redskybynight]

I think I say this on every single post about levels but - levels don't tell the whole story so please don't get fixated on them.

As PP said, it may be that the slow down in progress is due to the new national curriculum. Or it may well be that she "peaked" in other years so has had more of a "consolidation year".

Or it may just be that a single element of each of her subject is not quite at Level 5 standard, despite other elements of those subjects being much better.

e.g. My DS spent 2 years leveled as 3a in writing. It didn't mean he'd made no progress, it just meant he had a mental block about creative writing so had to stay a Level 3, whilst other elements of his writing satisfied Level 5 criteria. (And sure enough, once he'd got to grips with creative writing he moved up a whole level in a matter of a few months).

[clux73]

I know, I'm sorry - i'm being neurotic!

[TheUnwillingNarcheska]

This was me last week, stressing because Ds2 had not made 2 sub levels of learning in year 4 in literacy but the report said his progress was good meaning he had achieved 1 1/2 levels.

But when you take a step back and look at their actual grade and the fact they should get a 4b at the end of year 6, it doesn't look too bad does it?

Ds1's year 7 end of year report had him down at a particular level for his numeracy for the year, then after the report he got given his grade off the paper he sat which was a whole level above his reported level!

[Essexmum69]

Year 5s are on the new national curriculum(which is supposed to be harder than the old one), numbered levels such as 4a apply to the old curriculum. My year 5 has statements like "meeting expectations for year 5" and "exceeding expectations". I wonder if the school have attempted to align the two systems somehow which is why it doesnt look like progress has been made but it will have been as more is expected of a year 5 this year compared to last year.

[TeddTess]

for DD1 i always asked for levels.
however she didn't really seem to make progress (level wise) between yr3 and yr5
she just got great final school SATS results.

honestly the scale isn't linear, they use different marking schemes in different years. a 4a in yr5 apparently isn't the same as a 4a in yr3 for example.
mad but there you go.

i don't bother with DD2. if you want to ensure they are at or ahead of where they need to be get them the age appropriate bond book to do and see for yourself!

[TeddTess]

and also if she is 4a's in yr5 she is doing really well and on for solid level 5s next year.
maybe they can't give out higher than a 4a in yr4? makes sense!

[clam]

This is one of the reasons that levels have been ditched.

Schools are not meant to be reporting on levels anymore anyway, for Years 3,4 and 5. (and it wasn't ever meant to be 2 sublevels every year, but 2 whole levels per Key stage, which cannot mean 2 sublevels per year. Some years would only be 1 sublevel. Anyway, children's progress is rarely linear and has peaks and troughs).

[clux73]

Thanks everyone for helping me to regain my grip!

[pontypridd]

I am similarly worried. My DS has special needs. I've recieved a chart for him showing coloured in boxes for where his learning is now and where it will be in future years. The school is ditching levels, but has used the old levels for this chart.
He's in Year 3 and is level 3c now for Writing, Maths and Science. Level 3a for Reading. His prediction for Year 6 is 4B. I am feeling annoyed that it seems like they've written him off and decided that he won't be able to achieve anything more than that by then.
If that's what he gets - that's fine. But I don't want it being decided now ... It makes me want to take him out of school and get on with doing it ourselves.

[Elibean]

I so agree with Clam. Children aren't linear, they don't make linear progress.

Some years my dds jumped ahead with academics, some years they jumped ahead with maturity/social skills, some years they consolidated one or the other, but they both ended up doing very well anyway.

[Tissie]

I know that no parents will feel sorry for schools or teachers but just take a moment to look at what the government demands they do. Within the same year ditch levels and come up with something else. Still show that pupils in your school are making progress and that means an equivalent to the old 2 sub levels. Prove you are doing this by keeping exact paper records which can be checked. prepare to be told you're doing it all wrong and are rubbish! Predicting a level 4B is the minimum level of progress they must expect your child to make. All teachers will be looking to help children make the most progress they can. Teachers understand pupils do not make linear progress it is the government (full of priveledged ex public school boys) who do not.The numbers of teachers leaving the profession is at an all time high. So please do not worry about your child she most definitely has not been written off.

[pontypridd]

Not sure if that was written for me Tissie. But its reassuring thank you.