To suspect DC is in lowest performing class group. Complete surprise, why haven't teacher's spoken to me?

[Lowandbehold]

We have just completed the reception year. My DC attends a local private prep school, while we are on the waiting list for a state school place. We live in an area where the state schools are very, very oversubscribed.

That aside, we have been very happy with the prep school and DC has had a lovely time there.

However I have found it very difficult to get any kind of information or feedback on how DC is doing. For example, at parents' evenings, when I ask how her reading, handwriting, music, maths, sport is coming along. Is it average, above average, where does she sit in terms of the rest of the class? My husband and I are always given answers such as, she is absolutely where she should be in terms of the curriculum. That doesn't really tell us anything though does it?!

At the risk of sounding like a pushy parent, I just want to know more about her strengths and weaknesses so that I have that in mind when dong homework and other activities outside of school.

Is it normal to have no transparency in terms of your child's progress, state school or private?

Or is it just this particular school? What are other's experiences?

The reason I suspect DC is in lowest group is that we had a chat after school last week about the charts in the teacher's book, and DC was at level 1 and most others at level 4 and 5. I looked into this with a few chats with other parents about reading and writing ability, I can now see my DC is behind peers. Other things came up, for example, my DC does not get given spelling lists or extra reading books, next level of music tuition, etc, etc. DC must clearly not be ready for them and I understand that. I do wish however I had been made more aware of how DC was doing at school. I have spent the year thinking DC was actually above average as I've seen her reading and handwriting come on leaps and bounds.

Must also mention, other parents are friends, and would not be dishonest about this. We're not a competitive bunch, more supportive of each other and our children.

I had this. Is it a cheapish prep? Ours was and by the time we got DD into an outstanding state aged 7 she was WAY behind her new peers.

I suggest you ask this in education with some more details about your DDs capabilities.

Don't worry about where others in the class are, but do keep pushing to find out how your child is doing and how the school are supporting her/what you can do to help her further.

Yes it's a cheapish prep. But they have a pretty good reputation locally. Scary thought that she could be lagging behind and I wouldn't have a clue.

Try not to worry - the gap in reception can seem HUGE but once they are in Y!?2 you will see different children heading the class as it were due to maturity, the ability to do precisely as they've been asked to do etc. Regarding writing, if they can write words like the, and & sound out CVC words like bag, bat etc then they are fine. If they can read a book & break down CVC words & recognise words like the, to come, etc then they are fine. A difference of 3 levels doesn't seem massive to me re the reading scheme.

Sirzy, thanks for advice.

What do I use as a benchmark If not peers? As in, I ask how DC is doing but I need some sort of marker to or benchmark to look at how she has improved/not improved ??

You are too hung up on where your dd is in relation to others. You said your dd has come on leaps and bounds, and that's what matters. Her progress is more important than whether there are more people above or below her in terms of academic achievement.

Telling you where she is in relation to others is what tells you nothing, although I can see why you would want more information about where she is struggling or excelling. Ask if there is anything in particular you can work on at home.

Giving children spelling lists in reception shows that they are pushing children to achieve as much as they possibly can, I'm sure most children don't get spellings in reception.

I've found that the school are very reluctant to discuss children's progress in relation to peers, I've always thought its because they don't want a competitive atmosphere, with children or parents. Is your school known for not being pushy?
I had this, lots of talk about great progress, which I could see, so I was really disappointed to see that reading level was average
I talked to them and they don't see any problems at all

No school is going to talk to you about your child in relation to their peers unless the teacher is a bit crap. Children learn at their own pace. Reception children should be on about level 1b by the end of the year. It is impossible for other children to be on 4 and 5 NC level as those are expected at the end of key stage two. I assume what you saw might be internal reading levels. In which case I wouldn't worry. What you want is a child who is articulate and can explain a book with no words to you and answer inferential questions. She should have phonic knowledge and be able to blend cvc, ccvc, cvcv words. She should also know most of the 100 most common words. Don't get stressed about this or tense because that will communicate to your child. I've taught many a child who could read and spell brilliantly but be completely clueless about the meaning. A good working memory is the key so lots of rhymes, word games, kim's game, general knowledge and read to her all the time. Don't bother about others.

I think it gets easier in year 1 to see how they're doing when there are more tangible measures with the levels 1c, 1b, 1a and you can compare to national averages.

But I know what you mean, it's very difficult to get a feel of where your dc is at. Having said that I think a lot don't really come into their own until the end of year 1/ start of year 2. It's probably a bit too early to be worrying about it.

I'd agree, ask what you could be working on at home.

Flapping - gosh I don't know about half of the things you have mentioned. Are you a teacher? Where/ how would I learn about this? DC is my eldest so first school experience.

What are Cvc words? What's Kim's game? I don't think DC knows anything like the 100 most common words. We have only been given a total of 30 words to take home and learn this year.

I have asked what I could be working on at home, several times in fact. I am told nothing really, just reading twice a week and handwriting once a week. The standard for all of the class.

I ask what could be improved upon, what are DC's strengths. I am told DC is fine in every subject, no concerns and no worries.

There's no real information being fed back. I almost feel as though they don't want us to do anything extra at home.

CVC words - consonant vowel consonant words e.g. cat, dog, mat, big

Kim's game - objects on a tray/table, let Dc look at them for a period of time, cover objects with a cloth and ask DC to try to tell you as many of the objects as they can remember. Shorter time with more objects the better the DC gets.

Yes the other children will not have achieved level 4 or 5 in terms of national curriculum levels. I would also say to parents not to do anymore than a bit of reading at reception level, children need time to rest and explore within their own interests at home.

Key Stage Levels I don't know if this will help