DS been asked to leave school due to low CAT score.

[omgitcantbetrue]

Just had a meeting with DS Prep school and I'm feeling so worried and anxious for DS.

He scored 92 average on the CAT test.
The teacher gently informed me this means he'll not manage to achieve above a C grade in any subject at GCSE. He's only in year 5, and I'm amazed they can make such predictions.
I was then informed that it's in his best interest to transition to a more gentle secondary school.
I don't know what I want really. Advice from parents in a similar position?
Are her life prospects totally limited? With C's only I'm assumings he'll never go to University. Which is fine. I'm worried for his prospects.
Do children who score 92 ever improve? How below average is this?
Thanks for reading

I have to say I can see from both sides. My friends DD was struggling at a high performing prep and was much younger. Friend was told that her DD needed extra tutition otherwise she wouldnt be allowed back.

Friend wouldnt listen. Insisted that she wanted her DD to stay. Honestly it was the wrong school for her. She stayed another year in the end and it was pretty full on. DD really struggled as the friend wouldnt organise the extra lessons, Said she didnt want to upset her or put pressure on her.

So it ended up being the parents and the wrong school and effectively a wasted year which the DD still gets tearful about. Find the right school, there are plenty of fab ones. We cannot all be A* pupils (I certainly wasnt!)

That's awful,OP.

My son is in Year 6 and has SEN. His school have been great in supporting him. He probably isn't achieving his potential yet, but we are all learning how he works best and I hope that by the time he does his GCSEs he will achieve is potential.

@Chantelli

So thy are suggesting he leaves because of dyslexia??? That's outrageous op!!!

No, they’re suggesting he leaves because he has low scores. Dyslexia doesn’t mean he is stupid. One can be clever and dyslexic, or less able and dyslexic.

God if that's their attitude get him out - but perhaps speak to the head, contact the governors what do the other parents think? Pretty shoddy to be told that in October of year 5. Id be upset too.

Does the school happen to start with an “R”, by any chance?

DS's prep school does this. The attached college is very academic and when they offer you a place at the prep it is based on the understanding that if you don't perform well at the CAT tests in Y7 they will ask you to leave at the end of prep. So whilst harsh, I don't think it's uncommon. Also, had they said this to DS we, would have moved him rather than had him somewhere he'd struggle. We will almost certainly have to move DD.

@Cantbreathe2020

So he's doing the 11+ at age 9??

Private schools sometimes do CATS testing or CEM testing as routine. A lot of secondaries use CATS in year 7.

Hmm I had terrible grades at primary and then went on to be one of the highest achievers at gcse. I had mild dyslexia (and I suspect dyscalculea) which was addressed by the secondary school. So don’t assume he won’t be able to get good grades later.

If they’re writing him off this early they’re clearly not a good school for him and certainly trying to keep their averages artificially high.

I would complain and make myself difficult for them while finding him a better school.

Sorry. Should have said. He’s dyslexic. I did know that already, but thought he was bright

They aren’t teaching him correctly!! They have little understanding of dyslexia.

Move schools.

Yes CAT is Cognitive ability test. I think average is 100, but have no idea. Teacher said DS scored below national average. I’m researching online but not managed to understand much....
i want to take him and move asap, but teacher pointed out that it might be easier socially for him to move in year 7, when many other children would also be moving.

As I am sure you are aware many poeple with dyslexia are very succesful. I did not get C,s in my 3 Rs at school but took a diploma ( instead of A level) that led me to a my degree so I still got my BA.

How do you feel he's doing OP? Does he find the set homework difficult? We moved DD out of a pushy prep at the end of year 2 (basically they were not differentiating the work at all for the different ability levels). Moved her to another school and she's doing much better now at everything. Her school basically caters for academically average children, but they all get decent English and maths grades - 95% A*-B. There is a high rate of dyslexia too.

With CAT scores 100 is average, so your son is around the average level. Your prep should find a nice school that suits him.

Don't panic!
Is he happy within himself and happy going to school?
You say he gets it from you? What grades did you get?

I'd agree with moving him to a more supportive secondary school - some private schools rely on this covert selection to get good results. It works well for them as they get good results so remain an in demand school and then can afford to select out any student who isn't guaranteed a string of 8s and 9s at GCSE and the cycle continues.

CAT scores are not a perfect predictor of future performance particularly for a child with dyslexia who may well have underperformed.

I had to do an assessment at around his age and in the NVR (which is one of the IQ tests which are usually part of CAT) I got 91. I went on to get a 1st class degree and PhD from Cambridge in a stem subject.

100 is average but there is a standard deviation of 10 so 90-110 is deemed average.

Some selective schools would be looking for a score of 110- 120 plus.

I ould move now by the way. He won,t get the right support with their attitude.

Our school does CAT tests for all year 7s, I’ve taught lots of students in CAT band D who got a C or higher for GCSE.

I would want my child in a supportive and nurturing school, that caters to his individual needs and ability and celebrates diversity in ability, I would really think about is this the best place for him?

The school aren’t writing him off. They’re rightly advising you in plenty of time that you need to find a more appropriate secondary school. You’ve obviously chosen a quite academic, pressured school for him and it turns out that’s not the right environment. People on here will say CAT scores mean nothing. They don’t mean nothing. They mean that on average people with that score will give the grades they predict at GCSE. Some children will perform above or below that. No one knows which your son will be, but the school are advising that he’s likely to do better in a different environment.

Definitely move him now. Is not a positive environment for him if staff have that attitude. It’s disgusting that they would say that to you.

What concessions did they make for his dyslexia when testing him? And what dyslexia-specific support have they put in with him?

i want to take him and move asap, but teacher pointed out that it might be easier socially for him to move in year 7, when many other children would also be moving.

Honestly look at this from your sons perspective. The school don't care if he does well so why let him waste the rest of year 5 plus a whole extra year being left to underachieve?

Move him ASAP to a school which will build his confidence ready for the move at year 7 and make him feel like a success and not a failure.

I know a boy who could have been written off at year 5 with dyslexia amongst other things. He had sen support throughout prep school then went to a state secondary school. He is now at Cambridge university studying law. Personally, I would take your ds out of the school and into a prep that is able to support dyslexic students & help them fulfil their potential, but I would only do that if your son is unhappy. Try to find him a secondary school in preparation for year 7. Btw, schools predict grades for gcse results based on assessments from reception, which is madness as so much can happen in life that changes the course.

We were told that 90-110 is average.

But I agree that if the school has that attitude then he would be better elsewhere.

What a shock. Have you looked into getting a full educational assessment? Might check whether there is anything else he needs help with and also give you scores by function so you know what to expect for the future.

I would find him a gentler school. One that focuses on his actual needs. He probably won't succeed there. But he might elsewhere. I took my dyslexic DC out of a very similar environment and she's doing so much better now she's not under that level of pressure that's not geared up to her needs.

Your child will be good at some things and not others. Maybe he won't be an academic, so what?
Please go for a more "gentle" secondary for your son's sake.
At first my initial thought was how dare she suggest it, but I think the teacher is right.
I have a child like this and she did gain C's (4/5) in the core subjects, it was all she could do, but Art and Music well, you are talking 7- 9"s.
Find out what he is good at, and enjoys. Encourage this and find a nurturing environment for his school.