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Original poster

Y10 and GCSE targets

32 replies

Lucyccfc68 · 29/10/2019 11:08

Hi.

DS is in Y10 and got his GCSE targets recently. He was really disappointed as the school have predicted 7 in maths and 6 in everything else. School have said they have done this based on his primary school SATS results and not his achievements from Y7 - Y9. He finished Y9 with school assessing him working at 7's in all subjects except for English, which was 6.

All this is quite new and he feels that his targets should be what school feel he is capable of getting and not based on his SATS. He thinks that school will just settle for him getting grade 6's and not support or encourage him to do better.

Could it be that school have done this, so it makes them look good when he gets higher than 6's as it shows the distance travelled from his SATS?

Thanks

OP posts:
TeenPlusTwenties · 29/10/2019 12:33

My DD is in lower sets and is not being left to rot!

In a good school SATs shouldn't determine sets long term. Perhaps initially, but there should be adjustment during y7 and at least at the end of very year.

Yes DD gets less / easier homework than higher sets, but she wouldn't be able to cope with the same demands of top sets (because if she could do it she'd be in those sets).

GreenTulips · 29/10/2019 12:22

I have twins - the difference in homework and lesson content is huge

They are left to rot

cauliflowersqueeze · 29/10/2019 11:53

Not sure lower sets are left to rot. All grades count.

GreenTulips · 29/10/2019 11:23

Well the SATs set the sets they are in

Higher sets will be taught more at a faster pace.

Lower sets are left to rot..... yes looking at DS classes VDD classes

TeenPlusTwenties · 29/10/2019 11:21

A target isn't a prediction.

I personally don't see why a school would tell pupils targets set from SATs results, but that's all it is, and should therefore broadly be ignored by you and your son.

According to SATs DD1 had a 'target' of C for maths. She ended up being predicted an A and achieved a high B.

At some point he will probably get predictions which will be teachers best guess based on current attainment and work ethic.

The teachers will want every pupil to do the very best they can. They won't 'settle' for a 6 if they think he is capable of more. (Remember a child 'over achieving' counterbalances another under achieving.)

cauliflowersqueeze · 29/10/2019 11:11

It’s not to do with the school wanting to “look good” it’s the measure all schools are given by ofsted and the government.

cauliflowersqueeze · 29/10/2019 11:10

Targets are fixed for the school - if he makes good progress then he should achieve those. It doesn’t mean he can’t expect more or aim higher. Good for him pushing himself!