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Original poster

Really bad school report

62 replies

Pippapotomus · 12/07/2019 17:15

DS aged 5 bought his school report home today. It's bad. I wasn't expecting it to be brilliant but this is something else. Socially he is OK, is well behaved and has friends. Target wise he is behind for his age in every single thing.

Fuck.

OP posts:
bristolianpielover · 12/07/2019 17:16

Has the teacher given you any indication that there were issues before now? What did the report detail actually say?

Tableclothing · 12/07/2019 17:17

When is his birthday? How far behind is he? Is this the first you've heard of it?

Fridaycantsleepdoh1 · 12/07/2019 17:17

He’s 5 though OP and plenty of time to catch up. I’d be disappointed in the school that they havent raised earlier that he is behind though? I’d push on the onus back on them.. how are they going to help him catch up? What can they provide you for the summer holidays to help him etc. He’s only a tiny dot still and nursery to reception is a big leap....

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InTheHeatofLisbon · 12/07/2019 17:19

Socially he is OK, is well behaved and has friends.

That's great, really positive.

Target wise he is behind for his age in every single thing.

Why are they only letting you know this now? Have they suggested strategies to help him progress?

I'm Shock that they have left it this long to raise concerns, surely it would have been better to do so before the end of the year and try to help him learn?

SoyDora · 12/07/2019 17:19

Have you had parents evenings? Nothing in the report should come as a surprise to you, the school should have raised any issues before now.

FourEyesGood · 12/07/2019 17:19

He’s 5. If he were 15, there’d be a problem. Keep supporting him and read with him a lot.

gotmychocolateimgood · 12/07/2019 17:20

Did you have parents evening with the teacher at any point this year? My DCs school also sends home a very brief report in the Spring term with a small number of targets they are working towards.

JoJoSM2 · 12/07/2019 17:22

Is he summer-born?

Tavannach · 12/07/2019 17:24

Is he summer born?
Try not to worry or pressurize him. Join the library and let him choose his own books. A couple a week. You'll probably have to take him to the right section and accept he's just going to pick the first thing he sees so try and encourage him to choose from 3 or 4. These are books for you to read to him and maybe to talk about what happens in the story, not books for him to try and read. Keep it stress free.
Get some games like 'Shopping list' from Orchard toys and play them as a family. They're good for learning about taking turns as well as numbers.

growlingbear · 12/07/2019 17:26

He's FIVE!! Bloody hell, schools are so idiotically tick-boxy these days. The only targets any child of five should have are social ones. Real engagement with reading, writing and arithmetic starts between 6-7, which is when it's introduced on the continent. Everything earlier is hothousing. Not if a child is naturally interested of course, but forcing it on a child of five and grading them is just ridiculous. (I say this as a tutor of literacy refusers, most of whom came to dread it because they had it shoved at them before their brains were ready to process the info.)

Don't worry and certainly don't let your DS worry. Just play with him over the summer - read to him, count with him. Use sweets, pebbles, lego to count, add up and take away. Get him to help measure out flour etc for baking. But all as though it were fun, never out of necessity.
You could stick some times tables songs on in the car and chant along until you puke but he has plenty of time for that.
FWIW, DS2 refused to even write his name until he was seven, was bottom set 'literacy' and mastered his tables in the car on the way to an 11+ exam which he passed. I didn't put any pressure on him to learn any of this before he was ready. Once he was ready he caught up rapidly. He's now thinking of applying to Cambridge. The most important thing at this age is to foster a love of learning and complete resilience if they make mistakes.

GeorgeTheFirst · 12/07/2019 17:28

Well he's 5. You can help. Songs, counting, colouring, cooking, talking about numbers. Do everything you can and get into habits of doing it after tea and in the car. Every day.

Original poster
Pippapotomus · 12/07/2019 17:34

His birthday is in March, so middle of the age spectrum.

He has not had a great year. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in October. We thought he had a virus, he was actually going into a diabetic coma. So there's been blood testing and injections at school multiple times a day, which is disruptive, but we don't want him to die obviously.

In March I got his eyes tested and he really did need glasses as he is long sighted. The school didn't notice and were surprised when he turned up in glasses.

I was told he was in a small group with the TA for extra support for some class work. I'm not sure what to say Monday morning.

OP posts:
gotmychocolateimgood · 12/07/2019 17:37

Times tables won't make any sense to him yet but the rest of the suggestions on this thread are good!

gotmychocolateimgood · 12/07/2019 17:39

I think see how he goes in year 1. He is still very young. Let him play and enjoy books etc. I'm a teacher.

Runningintothesunset · 12/07/2019 17:41

He’s been through so much this year I’m not surprised he’s behind! I know it’s hard but really it’s absolutely fine. Enjoy the summer holidays focus on keeping him happy and healthy and I’m sure he’ll shine next year.

Cut yourself some slack too - you’ve had a tough year too!

namechangedforthis1980 · 12/07/2019 17:44

Bless him, what a tough year he's had ( and you!) Sad

I wouldn't panic, he's still so little. Let him settle into yr 1 and then maybe have a chat with his new teacher about your concerns.

daddykool99 · 12/07/2019 17:46

dont worry some primary kids of his age are not toilet trained and still wearing nappies and the parents expect the school to sort it all out ,even supply soiled nappies (go figure)

jellycatspyjamas · 12/07/2019 17:47

The health issue is a huge thing for him (and you), how can he possibly be in a place to access learning with blood tests etc not to mention how poorly he’ll have felt before diagnosis. Honestly he’s 5, in Scotland he wouldn’t even have started school yet - give yourself a break, enjoy summer and see how school is once his health has settled down.

As for what to say on Monday? How about “Thanks for his report, he’s doing brilliantly well given all he’s had to cope with this year.”

gotmychocolateimgood · 12/07/2019 17:47

Just saw he's had medical issues. Poor thing. Hopefully he'll be ready to learn in September and if you can arrange a meeting with his new teacher that will help. Teachers do pass info on but seeing you in person is helpful.

daddykool99 · 12/07/2019 17:48

OOPS , supply clean nappies when the child soils the one they are wearing.

JoJoSM2 · 12/07/2019 17:49

A tough year. And some children are just late bloomers. I'd make sure he's supported at home and at school as much as possible.

Sirzy · 12/07/2019 17:50

He is 5 and has had a year most adults would struggle with as well as trying to find his feet at school.

Enjoy summer together, maybe add some fun games and things in along the way for him to practise. When he goes back in September have a word with the new teacher about what can be done to help him, although if things are more stable and he can see clearly now then he might naturally catch up anyway

Nonnymum · 12/07/2019 17:50

I wouldn't call it really bad at all. If he has friends, is well behaved and socially confident that is great. He is only 5 targets at this stage are meaningless. So much 0reddure us put on young children these days. Children develop at different rates. He is still very young, give him time and see how he develops next year, my son was 7 and a half before he could read, he ended up with 3 A grade A levels, and a very good degree.

oyoyoy · 12/07/2019 17:52

Seems like your LO needs an EHC assessment based on his medical needs which are impacting on his learning. This'll ensure the school are doing everything to help him close the achievement gap and get back on track.

WhiteDust · 12/07/2019 17:52

Socially he is OK, is well behaved and has friends.

Then he has a good report.

Do not lose ANY sleep over targets/grades. Really. Just don't.
Not worth the paper they are printed on. Especially at his age.