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Original poster

Year 7 target GCSE grades

62 replies

OrtIrect · 30/11/2024 19:29

Looking for some advice. My summer born, recently ADHD diagnosed child has just started year 7 and their first report includes predicted GCSE grades as a ‘target’. They are all 4s and 5s. Basically, if they got these grades, in the area we live in, they wouldn’t have the option of a levels as they are not sufficient for the local 6th form college. It may well be that this isn’t the route for them anyway but their reading age (as measured by school) is over +2 years over his chronological age and they are already rated as one or two grades above target after less than one term based on actual attainment. I’m confused and concerned about how best to help him and how to manage his expectations as he talks about university. I have an uneasy feeling that he will be a ‘box check’ pupil ie on track for exceeding very modest targets. He is currently awaiting medication for the adhd. Can anyone advise or share similar experiences?

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 30/11/2024 21:31

From his results it looks like he is significantly stronger in reading/English than in maths.

Bear in mind that the sats scores are effectively averaged to get target grades.

In practice with those says I would expect him to do better with wordy subjects - English, history, essay type subjects rather than maths.

Sciences is hard to tell because low maths attainment can hold someone back but much more in physics than biology and if the student is interested in science it's not such an issue.

In your shoes unless he is obsessed with science and maths (which seems unlikely given the scores) I'd focus on making sure he does well enough in the subjects where he is likely to be good enough to do /want to do A level.

parrotonmyshoulder · 30/11/2024 21:31

It wasn’t the only reason for the change of school, but certainly contributed!

Original poster
OrtIrect · 30/11/2024 21:28

parrotonmyshoulder · 30/11/2024 21:22

My DC have been similar in Y7. One ASC and the other ADHD. CAT tests just don’t work for them. I asked for predicted grades/ flight path to be changed as I didn’t want a ceiling of expectation for them.
DD, predicted 4s from her CATs in Y7, has just got 7-9 in mocks.

‘ceiling of expectation’ captures exactly how I feel. It also crossed my mind that a school move might be a means to change the pathway. I fear it’s self fulfilling. And good for your DD. I hope the final Exams
go as well as the mocks.

OP posts:
TiramisuThief · 30/11/2024 21:25

OK so he will have an average score of 104 in SATs which is just in the low end of the middle band. So the target grades look about right for that.

But I agree with others that giving targets at this stage in secondary is really unhelpful. Lots changes in secondary and SATs scores often don't reflect reality.

I should think given the context around ADHD and if he copes OK with the increased demands in high school he could well outperform expectations and as he moves through school those targets will be adjusted.

parrotonmyshoulder · 30/11/2024 21:22

We also changed schools though!

parrotonmyshoulder · 30/11/2024 21:22

My DC have been similar in Y7. One ASC and the other ADHD. CAT tests just don’t work for them. I asked for predicted grades/ flight path to be changed as I didn’t want a ceiling of expectation for them.
DD, predicted 4s from her CATs in Y7, has just got 7-9 in mocks.

Original poster
OrtIrect · 30/11/2024 21:18

Thanks for the input. The target grades are based on SATs and CATs but the only feedback on actual scores was the reading age. For Sats they got 99 maths and 109/105 for reading and grammar. They were not allowed additional time as the diagnosis of ADHD was not confirmed at that point. They are also awaiting medication which I’m hopeful will improve concentration and reduce some of the behaviours that interfere with learning. That said, they are not the most motivated or mature so I’m not sure if I should be pushing them. Their dad and my parents think I’m too pushy and should just leave him alone. They seem to think that as I was an academic high flier I expect the same - this couldn’t be further from the truth. I wouldn’t be bothered if he never gets a degree but I am concerned he won’t achieve his potential as that potential is already capped in so much as School say they intervene if pupils aren’t on track for the target but otherwise don’t. Hearing other people’s stories really helps.it’s. It is not easy.

OP posts:
redskydarknight · 30/11/2024 20:29

Target grades are a made up nonsense.

Focus on actual attainment and effort.

Winter41 · 30/11/2024 20:14

If anything they will be based on SATs results, nothing else. I am a teacher. I would struggle to accurately predict GCSE grades for my year ten classes at this stage of the year. Predicted grades are very often nonsense until.much closer to the real thing.

handmademitlove · 30/11/2024 19:53

They will most likely be based on SAT scores. I wouldn't worry too much about it. It doesn't define him. It is not personalised. It is based on statistics eg other students who got those SAT scores averaged this grade at GCSE.

BookGoblin · 30/11/2024 19:48

Are they based on SATs scores?

Tiredalwaystired · 30/11/2024 19:43

I can’t see how you can possibly accurately predict from year seven. There will be subjects they have barely studied yet.

My daughter worked at a 6 in year 7 and 8 for English and got a 9 in both lang and lit in the end.

Take it with a huge pinch of salt and if you feel there needs to be additional tutoring going forwards consider it on a case by case basis. But don’t put too much store in it right now.