Primary School Reports - do they normally mention personality or character?

[MontyBowJangles]

Ds1 has come home with his (Yr3) and although it's good and says he works hard, it doesn't mention anything about his personality or character. I thought they would normally say something about him being kind/funny/a good friend/a good listener/well behaved...? Something?!

It's the first report we've had from this school so not sure if it's normal.

Dd is in year1 and DS year 6, they wrote a whole paragraph about thier personality’s. They’ve always done this. School is about more than statistics, it’s where they do learn a lot of social skills. I’d speak to the teacher. Sounds like she probably rushed it.

I am a teacher and go to great lengths to write something personal and nice about the child. My ds recently got a report and there was a short paragraph about friendships that he helps and is polite. To me it's as important as academic comments.

Oh this has made me so much more sad/annoyed!

@YouJustDoYou absolutely it makes you feel like your small human is just a number in the factory

@Fallofrain it's a bit crap, isn't it? Surely writing end of term reports is a big part of a teacher's job. I think more effort is required (tho it must be noted I have high standards !).

@BG2015 you sound great! The Head's comment is typed, is one line (missing an apostrophe) and is exactly the same line as is written on another pupil's report. I wish you taught my children

@Daria32 devil penny that will henceforth be the code word for development There is indeed a tear-off comments slip. I am going to let them know how I feel about their generic report. It actually says " he has matured over the last year". No shit Sherlock, isn't that what most kids do over the course of a year

@DelurkingAJ your husband sounds amazing! There are 200 kids in this Junior school (separate from Infants). The Head hasn't impressed me at all this past year it has to be said. Think I was spoilt with the last one though.

@Pipandmum sounds suspicious! I swear they just make it up as they go along. Which makes them seem totally pointless and untrustworthy sources of information to me.

@Apple23 thanks so much for the information and insight. Last teacher couldn't cope with the class as they're so unruly. This (part-time; ds has a 3/2 week split) teacher is retiring next week after a 30 year + stint at the school. Am sure she's very de-mob happy. The other teacher, doing two days a week, is a short-term supply.

@owlofathena I am going to go and see his new teacher to see what her plans are for next year.

@cupofteaplease again, you sound wonderful! Can you come and teach my children please?! I'm sure all your efforts are massively appreciated

@BG2015 completely agree.

@Hadenoughofitall441 That's so lovely you've always heard something positive about your children from the person they spend 30hrs a week with! I might speak to her actually. Tho she's retiring next week so probably doesn't care much!

@Chilledout11 I wish all teachers were like you

Irish report cards are mostly boxes that get ticked and then they write a general comment about the child and their progress , personality etc at the end! But there is also a section based on personality and friendships etc that they tick. See attached picture

Schools are supposed to give you opportunity for feedback on reports, so make sure you feed this back to them.

I always comment on character and personality - it affects their learning so why wouldn’t I? I enjoy writing about my pupils as people more than as statistics!

@Apple23 is the sending out of reports 10 clear days before the end of term a statutory thing? The Infants have said they're not sending theirs out til 22/07 and they finish 1pm 25/07 !

@Youngandfree that report card looks good!

@pasbeaucoupdegendarme our Infants School always gives out reports and let's you know which teacher they have next year roughly 48hrs before the school closes. I'm sure they do this to minimise the amount of time parents have to discuss these important things !

I agree I'd find it far more interesting and fulfilling to talk about children's personalities, quirks, anecdotes etc than just tick a box saying "working towards/within/securely within/above" Or similar. Maybe it's because the teacher is retiring (same as his Yr2 teacher). They seem to run out of steam...

Apologies if I've forgotten to reply to anyone btw. Stressful evening and alcohol has been imbibed.