Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

6 A written English do I need to worry?

29 replies

Kenlee · 02/12/2014 10:19

I was very supportive of my DD when she told me that she is level 6A for English. I don't want to helicopter her.

Although privately I'm worried as she is in year 8 . Does that mean her English is still at primary level?

Do we need to take action to remedy her lack of knowledge. What is normal for a year 8 child?

OP posts:
mychildrenarebarmy · 02/12/2014 13:34

I have been trying to get my head round attainment levels and targets since my daughter started secondary in September. Before that she had always been home educated so it was completely new to me. This is what I have found.
The levels go from (lowest end in ks2) 2c, then 2b, then 2a, then move up to 3c, 3b, 3a before moving up to 4c, 4b, 4a and so on. As I understand it 6a is the expected level of attainment by the end of year 9 for a pupil who starts secondary on a 4a. This will differ for foreign language lessons where they are expected to enter secondary at a much lower level. All primary schools approach languages in a totally different way.

I have found these two links helpful but keep in mind that they are from two specific schools and may not apply to all students (I don't know because I am still learning my way!)

rutlandcountycollege.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/KS3-Expectation-Level-Guide-Sept-2012.pdf

clc2.uniservity.com/GroupDownloadFile.asp?GroupId=87613&ResourceId=1897921

The latter have also published for other years, year 8 is here

Also keep in mind that the whole system is changing. Some schools have started to change already, others are waiting for more information before they do so. As soon as the teachers, and parents, get to grips with the next system some smart alec will be along to change the whole thing again.

Original poster
Kenlee · 02/12/2014 13:15

Why can't they just make it simple....I sort of get it...

OP posts:
ProfYaffle · 02/12/2014 10:29

You may want to have a look here Average attainment levels at the end of primary are around level 4. It really doesn't look like your dd is lacking in knowledge.

SunnyBaudelaire · 02/12/2014 10:23

not sure there is 'normal' at this age....
maybe you mean 'average'?
I really wouldnt worry too much she has a while yet to catch up.