aibu to think this is bad for my dc's school to put this in their newsletter?

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it was all lovely until the end bit, not numbers and letters! that's their grades they're talking about!!! and the head wrote that.

aibu?

What a brilliant message. Totally agree, doing your best is important, the constant grade pressure children are under is terrible.

I agree with him 100%. Our system is far too rigid, insisting that all children must learn at the same rate. He says absolutely nothing about life-lessons being more important than absolute grades. He says that they are as important.

There is a word missing, though. I think it should say "...not just numbers and letters."

Totally agree with the head. As I've got older I've realised that grades only get you so far. It's confidence, resilience, and hard work that really serves you well in a work place. I've known straight A students become very ordinary at work, whilst students with lower grades fly once in the workplace - it really isn't all about the grades.

CJCreggsGoldfish agree totally. In the workplace the ability to get on with people, work hard, be pragmatic, etc., etc. are more important than grades

Sounds like a great headteacher to me!

I can't see how you could possibly have a problem with that message. I

I think using vertical tutoring groups and mixed year groups are not helpful in terms of friendships.
Mine never liked them.

DS1 had vertical tutoring, it worked really well for him.

His form tutor said the older boys were seen as role models for the younger ones and it was all mutually beneficial.

YABU. I think it's meant to be encouraging. I agree with the head.

A great Head you have OP, congratulations!

Yes that's the line that the teachers spout sparkling

It was demonstrated to me as a teacher - all I saw at several schools was small year groups of children huddled together in various corners of the room not integrating with the others. no one will call them out on it.

We moved our DD - it was one of the reasons and she was so much happier in a class of her own age. Until we made the move we didn't realise just what a difference it would make!

It's not just about the grades, but it's a big part.

I felt school concentrated so much on the other stuff, that I needed to top up their education at home.
Whilst my children were having socialisation days at theme parks and fun days out at school, I was back filling doing maths at home. It all seems a bit topsey turvey to me.

Sounds great to me, of course not all children are capable of achieving the 'top' grades, that's how grades work but it is nevertheless important to recognise their achievements.

No, it wasn't like that at DS1's school Head, it worked really well. DS1 even got a card from all the younger boys when he left.
Form tutor said there was a lot of chat about football every morning in tutor time.

BlueberryPie, love the cartoon.

OP, YABU. As the parent of a 16 yr old who did poorly in GCSEs this summer but who HAD to change school in Yr11 due to bullying and had all the curriculum changes to deal with, I'd say you should really take on board the last point the Head makes, in that communication. Kindness ... very, very underrated imo.

If they were really getting on famously I'd have expected visits home and invites to parties.

A card, well that's just acquaintance terms surely?

I think we perhaps differ in what we mean by friendship.

Our head sends out a similar message. That primary grading has changed in recent years so take it with a pinch of salt and that the children are so much more, that assessments don't capture their characters and values.

I love that the emphasis is on equipping the children with skills to do well in the next stage of education and life, not just perform in tests and assessments. With pressure on schools and teaching generally, it can't be easy to maintain this balance.

Seems so Head.

I don't think a 17 year old would be inviting Year 8s to parties. But to be there at school for them if they need an ear etc was what it was all about.

I don't have a problem with it. Seems like a pretty non controversial thing to state.

That's lovely and how it should be children are under so much pressure these days. Well done to the Head.

I'm with you op, sounds meaningless and bland. Like some of the parents have noticed other children in their kids class have higher grades and others lower so it's an explanation sent out. Tbh out school would love this - sounds all fluffy and life skills while the bright kids get bored and disaffected and the others trundle along because stretching them is a bad word.

As for numbers and letters not being important - unfortunate wording as they are the basis of maths and English.

YABU
Sounds good to me.

sparkling
My child had come from another county. Didn't know anyone. Sat in alphabetical boy /girl in lessons and with older years groups in tutor. More difficult to make a group of friends in that situation. It relies on you having friendships before joining.

Well, my child is working below at a number of things, but gets top marks for attitude/effort. So I know she is trying her best, and so she will achieve the best she can.

The alternative message would be to say 'anyone who isn't at the age expected level is underachieving and failing, and however hard they are trying it just isn't good enough'. That wouldn't be a very good message would it?

Sounds like a lovely and encouraging sentiment, however number and letters do count in the real world unfortunately so statements like that aren't helpful.