School Report am I being PFB about it?

[TwoTeaTessie]

So DS report comes home yesterday, not at all what I was expecting.
Throughout the year, both through parent's evenings and termly mini reports that are sent home, I have been told that my son is academically fine, he's in the average quota. Which is absoloutely fine with me, as long as he's trying I don't mind that he's average.
So I open his report expecting to find average and above, and yet he is below in Literacy (by 2 sub levels in writing and 1 in reading) maths (1 sub level) and science (2 sub levels)
At the end of last year he was average or above in these subjects according to his report ( I dug it out and checked) and now he's behind as he starts year 5.
Have I a right to be pissed about this. I am gutted and feel like I have failed him as his mum.
The effort section says he's not overly trying but not disinterested with learning, My DS thinks this is just the teacher reading him wrong as DS is a bit of a strange character and is often misintrepreted by those who don't know him.
So should I arrange to talk to his teachers? He has had a split teacher this year, could this have affected him. Or am I being PFB about this?

So what levels did he get in the core subjects, I could tell you whether they are average or not as it sounds like you don't really have anything to check against.

How do they compare to the levels you have been given before? Higher or lower?

I would go in and asked what has happened, because they are supposed to move up or at the very least stay the same and if you have been told he's been fine all year it's not on.

Saying that my DS was very behind at the end of y4 and he's just about to leave y6 and he's shot up on all his levels in the past two years, he seem to take 2 years to jump up iyswim.

Oh and definately not PFB at all!

No they sent a level sheet home telling me where he should be that's how I know he's below. I'm at work at the minute so can't say the exact levels will check when I get in.

He hasn't regressed he hasn't gone below what he achieved at the end of last year and through the year they didnt give me levels but I made a point at every meeting to say is he doing fine with his work and every time I was told he was average. Even when they pulled me for a bullying incident (DS was the victim) I asked and work wise he was fine, according to them.

This has upset me in a huge way. It upsets me that I can't gush and praise him like I usually do and we're having to talk about trying harder in year 5

Whats done is done. Now you need to focus on what you all can do to get him to where he needs to be. For example, what measures is the teacher going to use? What time scale? Should you get a tutor now for the short term? That kind of thing. I would be super positive with your son.

I can see where you are coming from Scrummy but find it difficult as I feel that school have let us down, and this hasn't been the first time. I know full well screaming and shouting isn't going to change anything which is why I'm waiting until after the weekend before I talk to his teacher, so I don't become aggressive and hopefully by then I can be positive.
DS knows I'm proud of him, but I'm desperately looking for some perspective as I'm trying to justify why he's got bad results e.g. He's had 3 teachers this year has that impacted, has the bullying which has been going on impacted on his results?
And none of it is his fault, shouldn't he be responisble for some of it? In my brain at the minute, he can do no wrong!

Its a tough one as there are a few unanswered questions about his current grading and how he has fallen below where he usually is. My first question would be to the school to ask what they have honestly noticed about his recent performance (i.e : how aware they are of his situation?). The second could be about why you were not notified that he was falling behind (that takes away our power to help as parents - so no guilt necessary).

I will still praise where he has done well (even if it seems minor) and ask him what he can do to get support in school next year.

It must have been a surprise but I'm sure with his support you will be back on track soon.

If it's any consolation - years 5 and 6 are important in schools. The teachers in my school generally focus in on pulling up the grades of every child with appropriate support. They work on their independence to do. They also get more homework - where I am sure you can make your mark. My son had a 'setback' last year with bullying towards him he worked hard but did not make massive progress. With solid home support and a fantastic teacher he has risen up two/three grades in every subject this year.

If you get a parent's comment slip with his report; maybe you can request a meeting or state what you think/feel there.

YOU can gush and praise him!! Please do!! It's the right level for him, he will have to work smarter next year, but they all do. Don'tbang out about next school year yet, you'll only piss him off, he's knackerd, it's hot and he needs a break, not you on his case making him feel like he's failed, he hasn't.

It's also in no way shape or form the end of the world, are the levels you are looking at the 'national averages' if so it's OK if he is behind and it does not mean he's thick, just needs more help which school should provide next school year. Just because he is below national average in some areas does not mean they are bad results.

JohFlow - has it spot on.

He's a 3A reading, 3C writing, 3C spelling 3C maths and a 2A in maths. so all in all not as bad as I thought. Other than science he is only one sub level below where he should be.
His reading is above the national average, yet they have marked on his report that he's below average
Clearly I had worked myself up into a state about this. I am still going to request a meeting as I don't understand why he's been marked down in the rest of his subjects if he's above the national average? Thank you for all your grounding advice and I will talk to his teacher on Weds when there is an open evening at school

I would feel pretty let down too tbh. They've led you to believe there are no concerns and here you are today concerned.

I would ask for a chat and next year I would want more regular updates rather than waiting for reports and parents evenings.

Praise him for his report though and keep your concerns for the teacher, although I'm sure you would.

I have had a talk with him, and praised him and told him I think he's doing brilliantly, I've also explained that I'm not happy with his teachers and I'm going to have a chat with them. He seems quite happy about it.

I think the levels aren't that devastating, but the way they're put on his report (which he read after me) makes it look like his is below average rather than just average.

I am generally quite positive when it comes to DS and in the last year he has come on in leap and bounds in socially situations and I'm proud of him for that on its own