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Original poster

Worrying year 1 parents evening feedback

236 replies

catsheepteacher · 30/03/2022 17:22

We recently went to parents' evening for our eldest child, who is in year 1.

I'll probably sound a bit PFB here but I was expecting pretty positive feedback. Obviously I'm biased, but to me DD seems to be getting on really well:

  • She loves reading and sails through the books she brings home with no issues.
  • We go to the library regularly and she chooses "chapter books" (90+ pages) which she reads at home independently.
  • She gets 12 spellings to learn every week (which seem pretty challenging to me - words like adorable, eighty and applause) and gets close to full marks in her tests.
  • She does her maths homework in no time with very little support.

However, the feedback we got wasn't glowing at all. We were told that she is meeting the expected standard on reading (but not exceeding) but below expected standards in both maths and writing. Apparently she doesn't use finger spaces and full stops consistently in writing, and often needs help to come up with ideas for her stories. But more worryingly, in maths she's apparently on an "extra support table" as she needs help to understand the questions and work through them, and they are not sure if she is on track to meet the expected standard by the end of the year.

This was a total shock and I'm really disappointed that nobody has mentioned before that she needs extra support with maths. I'm also confused because it doesn't match up with what I see, which is a bright, able child (accepting that there's probably some PFB bias going on there).

I'm not sure what to do next. DH thinks I'm overreacting but I would like a second opinion to properly understand what the issue is so am considering getting a tutor who can assess her and give us more feedback on what exactly she is finding difficult. I'm also going to push for more regular catch ups with the school to keep track of her progress. The teacher mentioned several times that she lacks confidence and needs to build her resilience so I'm also wondering if I should sign her up for something which might help her develop her skills in this area e.g. a drama club.

Feeling that I've let my DD down by assuming she was sailing through with no issues. And really disappointed that her school don't seem to be seeing what I see Sad

OP posts:
theton · 30/03/2022 17:25

Ideally you would have had an update before this however it's Yr1, I really wouldn't worry.

theton · 30/03/2022 17:27

I would also check her reading. My dcs school measure it more on comprehension etc rather than how much you can read.

ilovebencooper · 30/03/2022 17:28

She sounds super smart to me! I would ask the school for some fun work to do at home on maths stuff and don't panic.

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Cherryblossoms85 · 30/03/2022 17:28

Their criteria are just really rigid. I wouldn't worry too much and don't overload with tutors etc.

BogRollBOGOF · 30/03/2022 17:36

School targets are very prescriptive and a poor measure of general progress. It sounds like she's generally doing well. Give her the space to progress and develop. She'll have had a disrupted Foundation Stage as well. Young children don't need cramming and learn best from a broad range of experiences and play.

RedPanda901 · 30/03/2022 17:37

She sounds pretty advanced for year 1 to me. A lot of children are a bit shy at that age so don't worry. If she's reading 90+ page chapter books in year 1, maybe ask her to regularly read aloud with you. Sometimes children read but it's not just working out the pronunciation but understanding what has been read. Stop her at points to see if she is following the story.

Maths clicks with children at different points in primary. Just playing games with her, adding up how many toys are in a basket for example and getting her to test you as well will make it less like she's being quizzed. Count the daffodils on a walk, things like that. I do think kids suss out though if you're trying to take a teacherly approach so make sure she gets to 'test' you as well. It should be fun at this stage. 😄

Original poster
catsheepteacher · 30/03/2022 17:41

She sounds pretty advanced for year 1 to me.

See, this is what I thought (wouldn't say it out loud but can say it on here Grin) So it was a bit of a shock to sit there and be told she's not where she's meant to be at this stage.

OP posts:
zoemum2006 · 30/03/2022 17:42

I don’t think a tutor is necessary at this stage.

If your children in amenable to this I’d develop a working relationship with her. I’d make 10 minutes maths practice standard (carol vordemon books are good).

Once you’ve looked at the books for their age range you’ll get an idea where they are in relation to it.

Try not to worry. Their education has been very disrupted over the last few years! With you boosting her confidence she’ll definitely get there.

nosyupnorth · 30/03/2022 17:42

I think tutors etc at this point would be an overreaction that risks doing more harm than good.

Re: english it sounds like she's generally doing well but there are a few key skills she needs to practice (which happen to be ones schools highly value) - some creative play at home will do more to help her come up with ideas for stories etc than a tutor could. Full stops and finger spaces are complex skills either, they just need drilling in with lots of practice.

Maths is trickier - you say she does her homework quickly and independently. Are you checking it afterwards and supporting her around any mistakes? If she is rushing and getting it all wrong that will do her no good. Make sure she is doing the homework right is a key first step, then maybe work with the school to find out if there are maths skills she needs to practice you can target through play/involving in everyday activities, with tutors as a backup if she really is struggling even when supported.

rosie561 · 30/03/2022 17:43

She's not left handed is she? Finger spaces don't work if you are and I remember being at school and super frustrated that I couldn't do them. Bit disappointed to hear they are still 'a thing!'

DSGR · 30/03/2022 17:45

I wouldn’t worry, these things all iron out in the next few years. Lots of kids end up on the “support table” but then come off it, or go back on for a few months. It happens really frequently in primary.
I wouldn’t overload with tutors and assessors, if you’re concerned then get her some workbooks for year 1 from a bookshop just do a few pages a week of maths

Original poster
catsheepteacher · 30/03/2022 17:45

Maths is trickier - you say she does her homework quickly and independently. Are you checking it afterwards and supporting her around any mistakes? If she is rushing and getting it all wrong that will do her no good.

She makes hardly any mistakes at all. Seriously! We check it afterwards and help her if there is anything wrong but most of the time she finds it easy. I'm just not seeing what they're seeing and finding it hard to understand.

OP posts:
WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor · 30/03/2022 17:47

A child at my daughters school got a C in French. She was born in France and French is her first language. My point is sometimes a snap shot assessment when the teachers is watching doesn’t fairly represent a child’s ability.

RedPanda901 · 30/03/2022 17:48

Are you sure they didn't mistaken you for the parent of another child?!
Was it in person? Could you see her books and where the teacher had marked?

wordler · 30/03/2022 17:49

Are you checking her maths homework? Are you checking she is understanding the chapter books she reads?

If the above is fine then is she shy or finds it hard to get her ideas out in front of others? As the teacher also mentioned lack of confidence it could be that she's finding it hard to express her ideas, or ask for help when she needs it in maths?

DiscoStusMoonboots · 30/03/2022 17:50

This is a tricky one. I agree with PP who mentioned the emphasis should be on comprehension rather than decoding words - many children I've taught have been fluent readers, but have struggled to actually understand and recall the text. Do you question her as she reads?

Generally, reading and writing go hand in hand - I've had very few good writers in my class who weren't also voracious readers. If her comprehension is secure and she practises the 'mechanical' side ( finger spaces etc.) I'm sure she'll be fine.

What exactly are the issues in Maths? Could you integrate some more counting games etc into evening time you spend together, eg while cooking together or during bath time?

All in all, Y1 is a big change for children from Reception, especially if they are still doing continuous provision. Try not to worry and overload her - these things tend to even out.

wordler · 30/03/2022 17:51

@WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor

A child at my daughters school got a C in French. She was born in France and French is her first language. My point is sometimes a snap shot assessment when the teachers is watching doesn’t fairly represent a child’s ability.
I'd love to have been there when her presumably French parent when to talk to the teacher about the grade!
WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor · 30/03/2022 17:54

It just came home in an envelope but she rang them up and made a complaint. It was primary French lessons so it wasn’t even a high level. I asked my daughter and the child wasn’t shy about using her French at school.

Original poster
catsheepteacher · 30/03/2022 17:57

If the above is fine then is she shy or finds it hard to get her ideas out in front of others?

She is shy and the teacher did comment on this. She doesn't like making mistakes either and at home can sometimes be reluctant to try something unless she is sure she can get it right.

We had already been considering whether to try some kind of extra curricular activity to boost her confidence and now I'm considering it more seriously.

OP posts:
Stayingstrongish · 30/03/2022 18:02

To put your worries in context, I just had parents meeting for my son who is nearly six and in year 1. They told me he’s been added to the sen register. He’s in mainstream school.

He has some targets for the summer - learn to write his own name well, recognise the numbers 1-10, learn all the phonic letters.

I’m not worried - he’ll get there when he gets there. And he’s happy. But the challenges he faces are very different to your daughter!

Blimecory · 30/03/2022 18:03

Are you sure the teacher was talking about your child?

Original poster
catsheepteacher · 30/03/2022 18:05

I did point put that she's getting close to full marks on spellings, and the teacher said it is not really about knowing how to spell the words it is knowing how to use them in a sentence. While this made a lot of sense, it really annoyed me to be honest. Why are we spending our time learning 12 (challenging!) spellings a week then? Wouldn't it make more sense to spend half the time learning fewer words and then using the rest of the time checking understanding and finding ways to use them in a sentence?

OP posts:
roseberrycherry · 30/03/2022 18:06

In regards to reading, as a previous poster mentioned it's about comprehension on the story, not always how well they can read. We had the same with my DS who, at home had no problem with reading the text.

Valenciaoranges · 30/03/2022 18:08

Please don’t worry.my daughter had similar feedback throughout primary then went on to get 10 top grade GCSEs, 3 top grade Alevels and fantastic degree. They all develop at different stages. I hate the way kids are measured in education.

bluesky45 · 30/03/2022 18:08

That's not good of the school. As a teacher, I was always told that parents shouldn't hear anything new at parents evening, if there is an issue it should be discussed with parents as it arises, not wait until parents evening to mention it. I'd be bringing this up with the school. You need to know what areas in particular she's struggling with and what you can do at home to help. You sound really engaged and willing to help and support so they should be giving you guidance on how best you can do this. I wouldn't worry too much though, she's still only very young, with help and support from home and school, she will be able to catch up again!