To expect schools aim for higher than average?

Double posted 🤷🏻‍♂️

Think about how the really high achieving kids feel. I agree with you, it's stupid but streaming in primary is frowned upon. If it's 3 form entry, why not split into 3 groups based on ability rather than have 3 classes with such a massive range that nobody gets what they need? It's pretty much impossible to teach a class like that. You have some kids in a year 5 or 6 class who can't read/write/speak English or do anything independently up to some that could probably sit GCSE already.

In an ideal world of schools of course that would happen and in many it does, but as a Secondary school teacher I regularly taught children with a reading age of 8 and below. Significant work has to go in just to get them to a stage where they can even access the GCSE syllabus at all and for many a grade 1, 2 or 3 was a achievement.

On the other hand, my own DD is Twice Exceptional (autistic and highly gifted) and I have never really had an issue with getting her schools to challenge her.Taken out for small group work to push the higher skills needed for the higher grades. After school groups for what was once known as 'Gifted and Talented' students.

Perhaps it's a case of your DDs being in the middle 95-110 range so don't get the intervention aimed at the higher and lower attainers opposed to it not existing. Without an EHCP access to a TA nowadays is unlikely. If you think she needs one you can apply yourself

I don’t know other areas of the UK, but the English model focuses on value added, so a school aiming for average would quickly fall down the league tables.

The more able one should be getting extension work where needed. Ask the teacher.

Your less able no longer needs extra TA support, they have limited funds and TA support will be focused on those struggling most.

Of course it would be amazing if schools were able to adapt lessons and have the resources to personally assist every single child in the aim for them all to be “above average”. But in a class of 30 with a teacher and maybe a TA with children ranging from genius level to can barely read, with parents who are super engaged to do not give a fuck, with families from affluent areas to those who can’t afford for their children to eat properly - it’s impossible. Surely you see this?

On the whole schools / teachers have to pitch to the average child.

If you genuinely want a personalised approach unfortunately you will have to pay for it. Pay for smaller class sizes / more teachers / better resources.

On a practical note you can ask for extra work for the child above average and help the one below at home. Success at school is a mixture of work done in school and work done at home.