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Original poster

School targets destroying dd

33 replies

Emochild · 24/05/2015 09:24

In their wisdom, dd's school have targeted her with making 4 sub levels of progress this year

When she was given her targets at the beginning of the year she was told they were aspirational and just to do her best

In her mind she's been set up to fail -she's got no hope of achieving these targets in some of the subjects, particularly geography and history as the targets were set based on a general knowledge quiz in that subject at the start of the year which has no bearing on the curriculum

She now has stress levels through the roof and every day is a battle, her sleeping and eating are all over the place -she's always been an anxious child but I've never seen her this bad

I've obviously spoken to school and the doctors and they set that setting lower targets sets a ceiling for expectation and they stop trying once they have achieved the target

Why can't they see that for some children, setting too high targets has a horrible effect

Dd starts her GCSEs in September and at the moment i'm worried

OP posts:
Original poster
Emochild · 24/05/2015 10:53

It's actually 'outstanding'

She started school level 6 for maths and is now an 8b
English was level 5 now a 7b

All other subjects she's high level 6 or 7

OP posts:
Millymollymama · 24/05/2015 10:36

This school is not the right ethos for her. It is not necessary to attach a level to every piece of work! Many teachers hate this approach. Is she at a RI or Inadequate school? They appear desperate.

I would try and arrange a meeting with the Director of Studies, or similar to get this problem understood by the school. If she is ill because of this, I am surprised they gave not had a meeting with you anyway. The teachers surely know she cannot make this progress. What would good progress look like? I think 2 levels in old currency. They may well gave failed her lower down the school and are trying to pressurise to make up for their failures. What has her progress been since she entered the school? Has it been even? Ie two levels per year? If so, 4 is just ridiculous.

Would she be better off doing GCSEs elsewhere? You still have time to change.

Original poster
Emochild · 24/05/2015 10:26

She has a week off now but i'm dreading her going back -the amount of time she's had off with stomach upsets, migraines etc in the last half term is concerning -and not just because school are 'concerned about her attendance'

OP posts:
MistyMeena · 24/05/2015 10:22

Sorry OP that turned into a rant but I have an anxious child too and feel so strongly about this!! Keep us updated.

MistyMeena · 24/05/2015 10:20

In your place I would be furious, and frankly as an (ex) teacher I'm furious on your behalf. Until you have had an anxious child it's really hard to see what over-pressurised schooling can do. What happened to a bit of fun at school? Why don't some schools see the bigger picture, educate the whole child? Because ultimately it's all about their targets.

If your daughter isn't likely to listen to your reason I would take it up with the school and explain that they are in danger of putting her mental health at risk. Schools should be aware of the increasing amount of self harm that goes on at senior level. (No coincidence in my view)

You know your child best OP . You will need to really fight on this one if you think it's too much for her.

lljkk · 24/05/2015 10:09

there really needs to be a lot of help for perfectionist kids.

Original poster
Emochild · 24/05/2015 09:57

Unfortunately I can and have tell her that until i'm blue in the face but she's a massive perfectionist and can't won't accept it

Also doesn't help that school level individual pieces of work so if she has 1 that drops it's the end of the world

OP posts:
MrsWooster · 24/05/2015 09:42

tell her / show her that levels are being abolished and that school are doing this for their own 'success' data, not for her. it's wrong and forward thinking, child centred schools shouldn't do it. Remind her that her progress is a measure of her SKILLS and not of her worth or her intelligence. All she is there for is to get the skills she needs for her life and to grow up feeling that her best is good enough.
I am a secondary English teacher so I am not JUST soapboxing!

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