To think DDs teacher was drunk when she wrote her report

[Pantone363]

At the end if YR2 DD was:

Reading: 3C
Speaking and listening: 2A
Maths: 2B
Writing: 2A

This year YR3:

Reading: 3A
Speaking and listening: 3C
Maths: 2A
Writing: 3B

The report says its a shame DD hasn't made expected progress with reading (which er she has if I'm correct about two sub levels?). Mentions nothing about the fact she hasn't made expected progress in Maths or speaking and listening. Informs me that to improve DD needs to read more at home (she's just finished the fourth Harry Potter at 7). And then lists her main strength as um reading

It also tells me how much she enjoyed the school trip she didn't go on.....

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

That doesn't make sense at all

[DeepRedBetty]

Last year I got identical reports for Art, both grades and comments, for both twins. It took weeks to establish which one the report really was about and which had accidentally been pasted, and what that child's report would have been. And we needed that information, as a decision had to be made about dropping two out of four of Drama, Music, Art and Dance by the next term. I know enough teachers and the joy of report writing to understand exactly how the mistake happened, what annoyed me was the length of time it took to respond.

[cory]

Couldn't the teacher's union or someone have the phrase "Xds enjoyed this activity" banned for the sake of protection of teachers?

Let's face it, parents are going to know that that was the day when their dc were chucking up all over their teddy/excluded for the day in the HT's office/hooked up to the life support machine in A&E.

And even the kind of innocent parent who believes that school reports represent a slice of real life runs the terrible risk of asking their dc about their lovely day out at the sewage works and getting an honest answer. Far too risky. Why not stick to the evidence of the spelling tests?

[drippytap]

We got DD report yesterday - all full of the usual stuff but the last paragraph talks about one of her classmates (a boy) progress in music!

Obviously a mistake but directly underneath the paragraph it has the teachers signature and the heads!

Can't decide whether to mention it to the school or not.

[Looby12]

At dd's primary school prom they gave out funny certificates, dd's was for loudest scream at the school trip, she didn't go on the school trip

[SallyCinnamonandNutmeg]

Why don't you speak to the teacher in person and ask for clarification?

[MidniteScribbler]

"Little Johnny enjoyed the class trip to the zoo and I was able to not give in to the overwhelming urge to feed him to the lions." Is why all reports should be proofread by another staff member before sending.

[Crowler]

Ha! I do feel for them, though - like when you're writing thank you notes for wedding gifts and you feel as though you can't go on?

My friend has twins who had the same gym teacher and he wrote the exact same thing, with the exact same spelling error, on their reports. They copy and paste almost everything, I suspect.

[Sparkletastic]

Yes writing loads of reports is tough but you wouldn't get away with such cock-ups in any other profession.

[Mumsyblouse]

I don't think writing two lots of reports in a year is really excessive, I mark older students work and it does take a lot of time/weekends to give really good feedback, but it's very much a virtuous circle- the more feedback the student gets, the better they do next time, fewer problems and a general sense of feelgood about the course. Reports are one of the only ways schools interact with parents (our parents' evenings are a bit hit and miss, we didn't have one in the spring/summer due to absences) and so it is disproportionately important to get it right.

[GW297]

drippytap - I would if I were you!

[BeQuicksieorBeDead]

As a primary school teacher, I can assure you that I spend upwards of two hours on each report - and last year I had 40 children in my class! For some teachers, they are the culmination of a year of hard work and progress for the children, and they take real pride in writing them to reflect the individual. For some teachers, they are a pain in the arse that comes at the same time of year as the Head requiring lots of data, marking of tests etc. I personally really enjoy writing reports and also appreciate kind comments and feedback afterwards...when you get a good one, my advice is to write or ring the school and say it was good. That way, the senior leadership might take stock and raise the standard for the whole team.

[bigbuttons]

I used to have to write all my reports by hand. Now THAT was hard work.

[amothersplaceisinthewrong]

I have always wondered why school reports have become so big and detailed for primary school children especially.

What was wrong with "good terms work, pleasing exam result" or " Poor exam result, could do better",!!!! :) :)

[manicinsomniac]

It does sound like a misuse of some awful statement bank.

We have no restrictions at all on the reports we write. I have written and proofread things like this this year:

[none of these comments are real but they are comparable/on similar lines of honesty]

"X shows brief sparks of life in lessons - but sadly he soon lapses back into his usual state of apathy and disinterest."

"Wow! What a report! I do not have the words to express just how wonderful it has been to have X in the class this year. She is a ray of sunshine - especially on a dull Monday morning!"

"X put in a creditable effort in the latter part of the term but his endeavours came too late to be of any use to him and his results are a poor refection of his ability"

"I have a sneaking suspicion X knows more about this topic than I do!"

"I have been disappointed by X's attitude towards his peers this term. Until he adopts a more tolerant approach towards the difficulties, differences and disabilities of others he will continue to find himself left on the outside of his chosen friendship group."

"X comes to life on the stage - I have told him that I expect front row seats at his first West End appearance!"

[aamia]

I'd say something to the teacher, who will be suitably embarrassed and re-do it for you. I've sent out very straightforward, totally honest reports this year. Don't really see the point in writing meaningless waffle to please the parents, so have gone for the 'this is your child, this is what they do well, this is what they need help with' approach. Am rather wondering what the response will be - it is totally accurate about their child, but maybe they don't want to know the less good bits!

[Nannyowl]

I feel sorry for primary teachers having to write these long reports.
Four boxes would do me. Reading, writing, arithmetic and behaviour.

[Nannyowl]

Aamia would like your report.

[quoteunquote]

DD's report this year informs us, that next year she needs to work on her speling.

I am however delighted, as we are friends (25 years) with DD teacher, and will be camping with her and family later in the summer,

I shall be using this to blackmail her, haven't yet decided what to do, but I can't live with myself if I don't use it to my advantage.

[FishfingersAreOK]

When my DD was in reception, in a class of 6, her report was total statement bank text. Nothing personal added at all. In addtion her date of birth, achievement grading thingis from the old eyfs curriculum and her attendance were all wrong. We mentioned it to the teacher who redid it. Statement wise is was not much better but at least the data was correct.
This was in a class of 6 ffs!

This year DS had the same teacher up until this half term. Class of 11. Data correct but I have barely read the report...just a glance at it shows it is the same old statement bank crap.

His new school have written him a brief, originally worded couple of paragraphs. These, from a teacher who has had him for 5 weeks are more useful, accurate and insightful than the rubbish from his old school.

[Spikeytree]

Our reports have to be completely positive, then the 'action points' are where the truth is. I'm afraid I have to resort to euphemisms like 'lively'. These are rather funny.

[GW297]

I spend hours and hours over several weeks writing high quality, detailed and accurate reports. I will not write one single word I do not mean and deliberate over the use of words such as very, excellent, exemplary etc.

[Amaxapax]

I'm a secondary English teacher and reports at my school have been a contentious issue. In the past six months, there has been an increased emphasis on both technical accuracy and the quality of the comments. I've been pleased to notice an improvement.

With so many pupils, I have very little meaningful contact with most parents. I believe it is my professional responsibility to provide detailed, personal feedback. Otherwise, what is the point in writing them? Reports are also a reflection of the professionalism of the school. If literacy is a priority - as it should be - then no department is exempt from having technically accurate reports.

I'm certainly ready for the term to be over, but that shouldn't be an excuse for careless errors that reflect poorly on me as a teacher and my school as an educational institution.

[echt]

In my school, all reports are read and signed off by someone else before they go out. In this way, lots of typos and inconsistencies are spotted. After the umpteenth report, it can be very difficult spot the errors in your own work, but they leap to the eye of an outsider.

This doesn't get round the stultifying effects of statement banks, but much of that is down to decisions made by the institution.

Apart from the level attained, I'm interested in work habits: having equipment for the lesson, handing in work on time/at all, being punctual to lessons, all strong indicators of later success, once basic ability is taken into account. There'll be one or two who buck this trend, but they are exceptional in my experience.

As a parent I want to know how my child can improve, and it's the quality of this advice that is important. As important is that there should be no surprises in a report; the teacher should be able to point to a paper trail of evidence of how they've been feeding back to the child. To be fair, when I've asked parents if they've ever read any of the reams of feedback I give to their child, the answer is always no. It's a good job I keep copies, but when the communication between child and parent is so poor, I'm stumped.