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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is failing PE in KS2 a problem ?

121 replies

FailingatPE · 29/09/2017 18:45

My 9yo DS last year report from school had great scores for all subjects for achievement and effort except a single fail for PE.

As we get the reports on the last day of the year before summer, I didn't have chance to talk to the teacher and tbh I assumed it must of been an error. After all how can you fail at PE ?

However caught up with the teacher today, who said it wasn't an error. Despite good effect he failed.

I asked for more specific and I was told that he found catching and throwing a ball hard. Didn't concentrate or do teams properly. Specifically said he wasn't cut out for competitive sports and he should try archery !

Also cautioned against joining football teams at school, as the other boys are so much better than him.

I am torn between saying sod it, it is only PE, worrying or signing him up for loads of sporting things.

OP posts:

nocake · 30/09/2017 11:52

I effectively "failed" at PE at school... I was active and would ride my bike for miles so I wasn't lazy. I just wasn't interested in the sports on offer. But the school wasn't in a position to offer a wider range of sports, and I suspect the same is true now. So if your child is active and enjoys a different sport I wouldn't worry about their PE grading.

TheTurnOfTheScrew · 30/09/2017 11:53

my YR5 kid was below expectations at PE last year, and given her poor coordination I'm sure this is an accurate assessment (although like others on this thread she is at a high level at a non-team, non hand/eye coordination sport out of school).

I think the important thing is not the level they're working at, but trying not to let this turn them off sport. Both parents and school need to encourage participation for health reasons. I was shite at hockey and netball at school and so was effectively allowed to sit on the sidelines from the age of 11, which I don't think is acceptable.

billybagpuss · 30/09/2017 12:55

Barbarianmum, I agree that Maths and English are life skills too but sending a kid out into the world thinking they can't do maths effects their job choices. They are academic subjects and therefore should be graded to encourage improvement, and the only maths I use now I had learnt by the age of 9 so my A level is by and large unnecessary. Sending a kid out into the world thinking they can't cook or do sport, which my school did with me, effects their physical health and possibly their mental health too. Telling a kid they have failed at it can have long term implications for them. Its certainly not about over ambitious tiger mums having a hissy fit as their DC isn't top in everything. Every child in the history of the world has known exactly where they come in the hierarchy of the sports field. Its the schools job to make them realise that it doesn't matter where you come its about finding the physical activity that suits you and that you remain active throughout your life. As a non academic subject I do not believe that grading it is necessarily helpful.

Goldenbear · 30/09/2017 13:44

DiggyDiggyHole, yes, I would argue that an Architect, specifically an Architect that works for a very design orientated, famous practice, a practice that sell prints of their sketches to people who see these sketches as works of art, in all probability does know more about drawing than my DD'S year one teacher last year. So a child who has been shown how to draw by an Architect would not be using fine motor skills, demonstrate creativity or be able to draw characters- you don't think there's any overlap then? You talk about architecture drawing like it's a tool of the trade when in fact it's an idiosyncratic, highly creative process the outcome of which is a work of art.

My DD had her Beach Hut painting framed as one of her best pieces for the end of year art gallery. We bought it as it was an amazing piece of work, I met my husband for lunch at his office armed with what I'd just bought from the school and the Director saw it and couldn't get over the fact that my 6 year old DD had produced this. So yes, I do find her judgement completely off and do not agree with them. That's ok as schools do get it wrong.

Starlight2345 · 30/09/2017 13:57

The fail is classed as 'under year group expectations

You are using emotive language..

Your DS has not failed he has not reached the expected levels for his age. My DS didn't for year 3 and has caught up over 4 and 5..Not sure if he exceeded for PE last year or age expected...Some of it was he struggled working as a team...( he always thought he was right ) ..He has learnt to listen a bit more, I took him away from sport like football which tends to be very competitive. took him to cricket and with encouragement has come on in leaps and bounds. His skills have improved..

What I find sad is somehow you haven't turned this around for your DS.. I sturggle to remember what he was and wasn't age expected for his year group and know my DS wouldn't..Except Below for writing but he has dysgraphia so is always going to be below.. However we talk about he doesn't start from the same point so his progress is fantastic. The teacher is reporting facts it is your job to either work with him if he does feel bad or not let him read the report. The fact he had great scores in everything I also wonder why you haven't had the some will be better at some things than others..Just enjoy it.. Seems a whole lot of angst for a child who is generally doing well but not a team player.. and you seem to have not done anything about it for 3 months..There would of been comments with report too. what did they say,

youarenotkiddingme · 30/09/2017 14:32

Yes really I do realise swimming is a sport.
But we are discussing children being good at PE lesson sports. Ds is not!
Swimming is not what they do during PE so he never gets a chance to shine in school sports.

The NC assesses a narrow range or predetermined skills. Children often have a broader skill set and if these aren't on the list they'll be below age expectations. They could be elite level at something described the same though - eg swimming is sport!

Original poster

FailingatPE · 30/09/2017 14:44

I didn't do anything as I assumed it was an error. Plus school was closed until two weeks ago.

It was the lowest possible score which is why I said it was a fail and the teacher agreed it was.

As I said I will ask for details and move on from that point.

OP posts:

zen1 · 30/09/2017 15:01

The thing is OP, it is possible to improve greatly in these skills with practise. My DS is dyspraxic and had terrible hand-eye co-ordination. In years 3 and 4, he would definitely not be described as 'sporty'. When he was 9, he became obsessed with learning how to catch and with playing a particular sport. Every day at home (weather permitting), he would spend up to an hour by himself playing Swingball to practise batting. When he left year 6, his teacher said he was amongst the top in the class for PE. To see him play his sport, you would never guess he is dyspraxic, yet in other areas of his life, it is very obvious.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 30/09/2017 15:03

My very sporty dd simply couldn't skip.

And she failed dance.

I don't think it's likely to hold her back .

HopeClearwater · 30/09/2017 15:18

Since when were architects so important that their job title required the initial letter to be capitalised?

PiratePanda · 30/09/2017 15:25

I failed PE one year at secondary school. I thought it was hilarious. Still always ended top three in the annual school cross-country. Hasn't held me back.

Unless it's potentially indicative of physical disabilities of some kind, I would totally ignore it and tell your DS not to worry, TBH.

Original poster

FailingatPE · 30/09/2017 15:29

When we got the report last year I simply told DS it was a mistake and that nobody failed PE and that I was pleased that he did so well and made such an effort in all his classes.

OP posts:

JemimaMuddledUp · 30/09/2017 15:30

DS2 is 13 and every PE report says that he is performing below the expected level for his age. He does always get good scores for effort, but he just isn't good at sport.

He hasn't let it bother him though - he swims for pleasure as he enjoys it and will happily do a mile by himself in the pool at his own pace. He also enjoys cycling and walking/hiking. Not everyone is cut out for team games.

It does confuse his PE teacher though as my other two DC are very sporty and on all the school teams!

Starlight2345 · 30/09/2017 15:31

My very sporty dd simply couldn't skip

My DS got he refused to skip on his reception report.. .. so take comfort your DD tried

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 30/09/2017 15:32

Yes, well, she's 14 now, and she still can't skip. I bet your ds can do it if he wants to.

Starlight2345 · 30/09/2017 15:42

He is 10 and still doesn't skip...I am not sure his objection to it..I can only assume they made multiple efforts for it to make it on his report...

I bet though our DC will do fine not been able to skip.

lozzylizzy · 30/09/2017 15:48

The children that are below expectations in maths and English maybe soaring in sports. Give all the children a chance to find their talent!

TeenTimesTwo · 30/09/2017 15:49

When we got the report last year I simply told DS it was a mistake

If you show 9yos reports you have to know how to manage the bad news as well as the good. You can't just say the report is wrong.

I never showed my DDs reports in primary, I read them out bits, but the report was to me. They didn't need to see where they were 'below expectations^, but they did need to hear how hard the teacher thought they were trying.

wannabestressfree · 30/09/2017 16:59

Some of the comments on here are laughable...
Pe teachers still have to do lesson plans and differentiate. These are checked. That includes for those more able.
They do not shoot out of the door at 3.30. In fact I would say they are the most hard working in terms of hours put in. Clubs are run, after school fixtures.

It's ok to not have natural aptitude for every subject. It's not the end of the world. Next year it may be something else. It might be the motivation he needs to try a bit harder.

BackforGood · 30/09/2017 17:17

If you show 9yos reports you have to know how to manage the bad news as well as the good. You can't just say the report is wrong

This x 1000
Whilst reiterating 'below expectations for age' is NOT failing, and it is only the parent (who has either name changed or just set up account for this topic) who is calling it such, what an appalling lesson for a child - to teach them that if there is an area they struggle with it clearly has nothing to do with them, but it is obviously a mistake
OP, you get worse the further this thread goes on...

Goldenbear · 30/09/2017 17:38

HopeClearwater, I am referring specifically to my husband though, it's not a collective reference. I am using the title in lieu of his name as he is the person that has taught my DD to draw.

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