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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want the school to stop using the curriculum as an excuse?

33 replies

DinnerIsDrivingMeBONKERS · 29/10/2016 08:23

Dc is behind. The school keep prattling on about how the curriculum has changed.
BUT being in year two, the curriculum has been in force their entire school life. Therefore, for them, the curriculum HASN'T changed. If the government have set x y and z as the expectations then they should be reaching them if taught the 'new' curriculum. The curriculum changing has been an excuse in year one and now again in year two. How long can the school expect to use this excuse for?

ignoring the unrealistic targets set by the government and the fact they are 'behind' even in the old curriculum

OP posts:
UsernameHistory · 29/10/2016 08:27

Take a deep breath and try to explain again what you're so het up about OP.

Is it that your son's behind? Sadly, some children (and adults) will always be behind others. They simply can't keep up.

The PA striketrough suggests that you think the new targets are unrealistic. Is that what the teachers are saying too?

They are targets. What does that word mean to you?

We don't teach exactly to the new curriculum but children haven't had issues meeting the targets.

Sirzy · 29/10/2016 08:28

Sounds like school aren't as concerned as you are?

Is he making progress? That's the most important thing.

And yes the new curriculum will be a problem because for a lot of children it does put an unreal level of expectation is place so I don't think that's an excuse. It sounds like the school are saying that to reassure you about why he isn't where the government say he should be.

ThisIsNotARealAvo · 29/10/2016 08:31

The year 2 curriculum changed last year so as you say for this year's year 2s the curriculum hasn't changed. However, a child who would have been a solid 2b with the old levels and old curriculum now may not be working at the expected level. This applies to lots of children and is very frustrating for teachers and parents. You don't say how far behind your child is, are they for example a Year 1S or are they on P levels?

ChocolateBudgeCake · 29/10/2016 08:34

Absolutely agree about progress. Some kids will never meet the required expectations- so what. Not everyone fits into the 'average child' category. There has to be some above and some below.

If your child is happy and content at school, has friends and is learning and making progress that's all that matters.

Your post doesn't make sense in that you are cross with the school for not pushing your DC to be achieving the new curriculum targets whilst believing that they are unachievable.

What more could the school be doing? Do you have SN concerns? What is the overal Ofsted rating if he school?

abbsismyhero · 29/10/2016 08:37

Do you think its there teaching at fault here? My ds school taught the new curriculum as soon as it was introduced they knew it was coming in and which years would be affected and adjusted

Original poster
DinnerIsDrivingMeBONKERS · 29/10/2016 08:38

Yes, I feel that the new targets are quite high. But, with good teaching the government think they are realistic so therefore that is what we have to aim for.

I understand some children will be 'behind' and that's ok. I have said to the teacher I accept if they are behind but I expect some progress to be made and the gap not widening. They did not make expected progress in ANYTHING last year.

Every time I raise a concern I am fobbed off with it's ok, it's the curriculum. BUT dc is not making progress? How is that the curriculums fault?

Additionally, reports are being sent out based on progress so parents are thinking their child is where they 'should' be, but they are far behind the new ARE. The school is hiding the fact the kids are behind because parents see the word 'expected' not realising there is a difference between progress and ARE.

OP posts:
primarynoodle · 29/10/2016 08:38

Some of the new targets have been brought down from what might have previously been expected in y4 op. Yes your new child has been taught new curric from y1 but the goalposts are now extreme.

Add to that the eyes curriculum has not changed in line with progression for y1, there's an awful lot to learn.

Most, many in fact, children are not ready for these new targets and when they are ready, they will achieve them. Maybe this year, maybe they will shoot up next year, or the year after. The school are probably doing their damned hardest but you just can't force children to be ready for things they aren't!

Original poster
DinnerIsDrivingMeBONKERS · 29/10/2016 08:40

I am not pushing to achieve the targets. I do not think dc is capable of that, and that is ok. I do expect some progress though. Yes, there are SN concerns but each time I raise it the curriculum is blamed and dc is left without the help they need. (Which I am providing as much as I can at home)

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 29/10/2016 08:41

Not making expected progress doesn't mean they made no progress though; just that they didn't progress at the required rate.

elodie2000 · 29/10/2016 08:43

Behind who? This is what is so wrong with the education system!
Your DC is in Year 2 fgs. You have better things to think about than sxhool targets. Don't even give it another thought.

Original poster
DinnerIsDrivingMeBONKERS · 29/10/2016 08:44

They are three levels below for example where they should be in reading. I know reading levels are not a be all and end all but it is an easy reference everyone understands and sees at home - and the expected reading levels haven't changed.
But it is the same in maths, comprehensions, spelling, writing...

OP posts:
MsJamieFraser · 29/10/2016 08:44

Some children just cannot reach the targets not because of poor teaching, but because of the child's ability.

Is he still making progress?

Sirzy · 29/10/2016 08:47

The range of "normal" is massive though. Stop trying to compare and just focus on your child but without pressure.

Reading at a lower level doesn't mean he isn't progressing, it means he is progressing at his own rate and that's perfectly fine.

Original poster
DinnerIsDrivingMeBONKERS · 29/10/2016 08:48

No they aren't making progress, sorry for being unclear.

OP posts:
Original poster
DinnerIsDrivingMeBONKERS · 29/10/2016 08:54

Sorry, I am not teacher bashing, I just want them to look at WHY no progress is being made rather than just blame the new curriculum. The other children are progressing, why isn't mine? I am not comparing to other children either - I already have a child with SEN so I know that is pointless. But I do want progress to be made,not slip further and further behind each year due to the 'curriculum'

OP posts:
MrsGwyn · 29/10/2016 08:56

If they are making no progress then I'd be worried - very worried.

Had one child have that - took whole of the next year and a good teacher and a lot of support at home to catch up.

I had to pick areas to focus on - maths I found I could outsource to mathsfactor - there are other sites out there but that one that worked for us - started basic and built the up with clearly explained ideas then lots of practise.

Then I focused on reading - found a good program there - dancing bears - then when that was under control went to their spelling program where I found issues with handwriting - sorted out enough to get moving then later had to come back to writing.

Upshot you can't work on everything at once.

Did find when child started making progress in one area - maths - and it was picked up did seem to help their confidence and help the school see the could so things and did seem to lead to more support and a general rise in expectations.

But yes - get back on the school and the current teacher about lack of progress- and see what if any options you have to move schools is nothing improves.

MrsGwyn · 29/10/2016 08:58

I just want them to look at WHY no progress is being made rather than just blame the new curriculum

YANBU with that at all.

PerspicaciaTick · 29/10/2016 09:08

I just want them to look at WHY no progress is being made rather than just blame the new curriculum

Of course YANBU to want this. They should be able to tell you how they are supporting your child, not just shrugging and saying "Its the curriculum init" and leaving him to struggle.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 29/10/2016 09:11

YANBU at all.

Lack of progress isn't the fault of the new curriculum at all.

And while I agree with posters that a small number of children do make slower progress, it is undoubtedly true that children who have SEN or are behind make much better progress in some schools than others.

The concept of early intervention being important seems to be lost on some schools.

primarynoodle · 29/10/2016 09:22

Lack of progress doesn't necessarily mean they aren't making progress. It means they aren't solid in the targets. They are making progress, they are mastering the skills they are being taught - becoming more confident in understanding and applying them, there are no tick boxes for this.

Yanbu in that it doesn't sound as though this has been explained properly to you. Yabu in saying that the school aren't teaching your children properly and are using the curriculum as an excuse

Sirzy · 29/10/2016 09:23

Have you had a meeting with the senco to discuss your concerns in detail?

user1066 · 29/10/2016 09:30

Just a quick question - you state earlier "They are three levels below for example where they should be in reading" - what do you mean by three levels ?

Original poster
DinnerIsDrivingMeBONKERS · 29/10/2016 09:32

Three colours. Senco request was deflected as it is 'just the curriculum levels have changed'

OP posts:
Aeroflotgirl · 29/10/2016 09:35

I thinks nowadays its very easy for young children to be behind, as the expectations are a lot higher and the curriculum is harder. I am doing KS1 letts books with my ASD dd 9.5 years, and the information they have to know, is what I was learning in senior school. Such as: syllabals, prefix, suffix, nouns, adjectives etc. Its a hell of a lot, for any child who is 5-7 years to digest, let alone a child who is a bit delayed. I totally disagree with curriculum as it is now. The pressure on young children is a lot.

Sirzy · 29/10/2016 09:36

Thinking of the range of "colours" of bands amongst ds peers I don't think 3 if a massive way off to be honest. The range will be big because all children are different.

How long as he been on the same band? Is he finding the books easier to read now than he was?

I would push again for a meeting with the senco if nothing else just she she can reassure you