Six-year-old offered catch-up tutoring despite teacher saying she is on track

[Floriaflan]

I work full time in a pretty full on job, as does my husband. We both work long hours. My child is just turned 6 and goes to an offsted outstanding school which has quite the emphasis on academic results.

Child has 5 different types of homework per week including spellings, reading, maths etc. Each one has a different platform or portal, including submitting homework sheets via teams, and then weekly she has a spelling “test” (they say it’s an assessment, not a test, but it’s a test). Plus 3 x reading books per week.

we do as much homework with her as we can but it’s difficult as she does after school clubs and then we have about 90 mins at home which is dinner, bath, bed. So to cram in homework is often short time. She tends to do it over weekends.

we got an email today saying she had been chosen for some free school tutoring as she has been “identified as someone who could benefit from catch up”. we had parents evening about 3 weeks ago and her teacher told us to keep reading with her but she’s exactly where she expects her to be

i feel a bit blind sighted by it tbh. I am quite overwhelmed by the sheer volume of school admin including all the various homework requirements, and also quite sad that she’s falling behind. There doesn’t feel like much more we can do given work hours etc.

husband does his fair share, we are very even

has anyone been through this?

My son is now 15, but that amount of homework for a 6 year old is insane!! Homework in primary school isn't mandatory but you do need to make sure she does some, because the further up the school years she travels, it will become mandatory! Concentrate on the reading and spellings is my advice. Take up the tutoring though, because any extra help offered is a bonus.

Generally, catch up is for pupils with a specific area that they are struggling with, usually those who are at age expectations but may be deemed at risk of falling behind. It's nothing to worry about.

Homework sounds excessive...

Did they actually say she is behind?

She could be a child they have identified is doing fine but with a bit of extra support could reach her full potential & be working at "greater depth".

I would take up the offer of the tutoring and see what it is like. Your daughter might enjoy it & it's free.

Yes! All very easily!

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-mathematics-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-mathematics-programmes-of-study#key-stage-1---years-1-and-2

This will give you an idea, as well as the phonics screening papers.

Any school recommending TUTORING for a 6 year old is mad... And I would genuinely consider removing the child.

My year 1 DD has 5 spellings a week, one homework from a grid (optional) and daily reading.

Sorry the other part I’m looking for guidance on - the year 1 clubs also run at this time. She does gymnastics at this time too, through school, which she loves and we have paid for.

is it worth us taking her out of gym club for this? I am not so sure.

I would listen to her read once a day and go through her spellings once a day. Then do some maths at the weekend.

It may be that they're underestimating her because she is quiet and shy - that happened to me all through school. I would just let her do the tutoring and see it as something to potentially help her with her confidence rather than her ability which sounds fine.

Then she's absolutely not behind.

Have a look through the phonics screening link I posted and see where she needs to be in a couple of months.

Ignore the tutoring comments and get them to be specific about what it is they say she's behind in.... Like actual examples.

There is ZERO NEED TO TUTOR A 6 YEAR OLD.

Now imagine what the list will look like when she is in year 6. Honestly this is not a healthy approach to education and the pressure from the school is excessive. I think you genuinely need to consider finding another school before she begins to burn out.

No.

She's a 6 year old little girl.

Here is the email:

Dear parent

I am writing to invite your child to take part in an exciting initiative that we are pleased to continue following its success over the past few years. Your child has been identified as someone who may benefit from this provision, as part of our ‘catch-up’ and ‘Pupil Premium’ support programmes.

We understand that private tuition can be costly, and we believe that there is no one better to support your child than our own experienced staff. Several of our teachers and teaching assistants have volunteered to deliver tuition in small groups or 1:1 sessions, either before or after school. These sessions are fully funded through the school’s Pupil Premium allocation, and staff will be compensated for their time.

<Details / time / date/ link to form to accept place>

<<ends>>

Lol I'd email back saying "I think you emailed me by mistake".

Or they may have just emailed all PP children as default.

Its an anonymous forum so ill say it... My husband and I "pushy".
Our kids are 4 and 2 and we will want them to academically excel to the same or greater levels than we did..

we both attended top 10 uk schools on full scholarships, then oxbridge / Russell group, now work in fancy corporate jobs. We are children of pushy immigrants and we will expect a lot academically from our kids.
We were raised A = average, B = bad etc

I read this to him and he said the same thing I was thinking.... we'd geniunely consider moving schools.

This is mad. It is just too much, too young.

The tutoring sends a bad message to her that potentially damages self esteem and her ability to reach her actual potential (by sending the message she is weak / behind / "not smart" ).
I would not have my child boxed and labelled at this age.

Big fat no from me.

Edit: That Email!!?!?!?

Honestly maybe they did, we are not part of the premium pupil programme by some stretch!

OP, does DD get free school meals? If so, that might explain it as they are using the extra funding for one to one tuition and need to show how this is benefitting DD.

So email back and say they made a mistake as your child is not PP, unless she isn't receipt of free school meals "FSM" (. not just the free meals they all get in KS1. )

Also, TBF, this isn't the same as them saying she's behind. Did they specifically say that?

So her actual attainment may have nothing to do with it, and it’s purely how the school have chosen to use the funding (which is extra because the school receives pupil premium for those who get free school meals). The school has to explain how the funding is used and how it benefits those on FSM.

Just seen OP’s update, yes it might be a mistake then so email the school to clarify why she has been identified.

Right, so this is part of the Pupil Premium initiative?
May I ask, is English your first language? Have they identified a problem with her reading and understanding?

If you are not prepared to move your child to a more reasonable school then please let her continue with the gymnastics. All children need some fun in their lives and the amount of academic work is insane amd likely to lead to early burn out. Tell the school ni to tutoring and that you will be scaling back on the homework too.

Sorry, I've just read your update. So your child is not PP? Does she get Free School Meals?

Pupil premium is not attached to a certain pupil so can be used for other pupils, you just have to demonstrate the impact on pupil premium children outcomes etc

she gets free school meals due to us being in London but nothing pupil premium wise (ie we aren’t entitled to any benefits at all due to salary)

They are saying she is doing OK up to standard, but they think she is bright and should be ahead. Nothing bad.

Just email back and say you think they've made a mistake sending to you. If they push back, ask for specifics of where she's falling behind....