To ask how old you think the child is who wrote this?

[Fluffylikeacoconut]

I suspect I might get some snarky comments but I’m genuinely curious - people with more experience than me (which is zero) - what age would this be ‘typical’ of. Handwriting is joined and very good.

I am typing it exactly as it is written - spelling and punctuation.

The fire lit a spark - not only in my mind but in a foot deep pile of sharp kindling. It began its first meal, desperate for the first taste of fresh air. It ate and ate until it was sated.
You could feel the tension, taut in the air as the fire grew and grew. Below, the river looked up mesmirised as it slowly crossed beneath a bridge.
The fire danced on, waltzing with the twiggy fingers of the trees, the soft silky coccoons of leaves and the old, moldy, spiky kindling. Ash floated around me like little fairys and once again the fire opened its menacing jaws. As soon as the fire strocked a bright leaf dripping with sap, its thin flamey hands turned to a cold silver and then to stone black. The fire turned and tried to flee before it suddenly disintigreated.
Now the old forest is gone but the ecosystem begins again, I watch the very first bud blossoms bloom. I savour the moment and watch as the old forest rises again, new and beautiful.

I ask because I think I do her a disservice. She has a very bright older brother and I tend to think she isn’t as able and would largely describe her as average even though I am aware her reports set her as exceeding.
I think I need to do better at not underestimating her.

I think it's good that you have recognised that as it's incredibly important.

I had a friend at school who was brilliantly clever, but not quite as clever as her older sister. Nothing was ever celebrated for her, nothing was ever quite enough for her parents as it wasn't as good as her sister. It had a massive impact on her confidence and self esteem.

Why on earth would anyone say 7???

Mumsnet is full of ridiculous people.

"I ask because I think I do her a disservice. She has a very bright older brother and I tend to think she isn’t as able and would largely describe her as average even though I am aware her reports set her as exceeding."

Right. Definitely not a thinly veiled brag then?

Go home mumsnet, you're drunk

My child did a similar piece of writing in year 6. So age 10/11?

Lovely bit of writing, definitely top flight for her age. Choice use of vocab. 👌

And I've got three dcs. All of them at RG unis with great exam results - absolutely none of them could have written that at primary school, let alone at 8.

She's very talented OP!

Year 6 at least I’d say.

Sorry didn’t read your second post - very crazy good! ‘Sated’ etc and the imagery alone is impressive!

Look I'm not an expert on kids poems and I wasn't far off she's 8 so I'm closer than people saying 11

My writing is worse worser with a migraine.

Tbf my son is a greater depth writer. He did many pieces like this age 10. It is a lovely piece of work.

One year off isn't 'ridiculous'.

It doesn’t make any sense at all but the vocabulary is good

I would say year 6 so 10/11 year old.

So’s mine but couldn’t write that now and he’s 9 - surely this kid is way beyond greater depth.

My 11 year old would write 'the fire was hot' and then say he was done.

I am always amazed by the ages people suggest for writing on here.

Of course this thread is populated with posters desperate to point out that their kids could do the same and it's not a big deal.

I've been a judge on a children's story writing competition twice. I'd say this is more typical of a fairly able 10 to 11 year old pupil and reflects some of the English writing activities that are set in the classroom. It would be a very strong piece for a 8 year old to have written.

In my experience, many children go through a phase where their creative writing is heavy on adjectives and adverbs, with various forms such as similies and metaphors, as they begin to enjoy using formal language. At a later stage, writing often becomes simpler in vocabulary and more subtle in references, which makes it easier to read and more suited to narrative writing.

12

Girls (and women) get underestimated, don't be that person.

I’m a writing moderator for our local authority (KS2) and this absolutely is what a child might write. A greater depth KS2 child (Y4 upwards) could definitely write this. At a guess I’d say Year 6 greater depth but could be slightly younger!

"Greater depth" lol - all mine worked at greater depth and wouldn't have written anything like this at 8.

My ds is 8, he's really clever and knowledgeable but here is no way he could do anything like this. The spelling alone is excellent. I probably could have done something like this at 10 or 11. I think it's really good for an 8 year old.

younger secondary school-12 ish.

10/11?