If you read this about a child/teenager what would you think?

[katymac]

Looking over several reports, there are some continuing themes....

Orally very good, presentation disappointing, untidy,careless, badly spelt, difficult to read

English - enthusism & interest, satisfactory standard, works well in class but written work needs much attention, orally has no problems but written work letting her down

Art - well presented, high standards, enthusiastic

PE finds certain aspects difficult, made a steady effort without any improvement, finds some skills difficult to master, finds this subject difficult

would these comments indicate a trend, do you think?

Yes, that the child is more interested in/has a creative bent.

The art was absolutely crap - couldn't draw a straight line with a ruler - but great care was taken with the presentation (whilst none was apparent in the written work)

How old?

11 to 14

A lot of Impressionists couldn't draw a straight line, either. Is it her passion, tho?

Hmm, what I don't like about this is the suggestion that if she can't manage something - ie have tidy handwriting, it is her fault and a moral failing. Very unhappy indeed about terms like 'lazy' and 'careless'.
My dyspraxic son is brilliantly intelligent in some ways but his handwriting will always 'let him down'. I won't have him labelled 'lazy' or 'careless' though
No, I wouldn't be happy about this.

Is more interested in art.

Has not got to grips with spelling and writing? Or can't be bothered with detail?

Sounds a bit like some of my old school reports tbh.

Hates it

Um - yes, child has motor problems? (I think that's the term?)

How was he/she at primary school?

can't remember apart from being the brightest and fab at math

I think you definitely need to find out more, both by talking sympathetically to your dd and to the teachers.

But still problems with english (missing out words from sentances, letters from words) They tried to slow the child's writing down with an old fashioned ink pen

Not my DD, Aloha

If a child is bright and vocal and tries hard at physical stuff but what is produced doesn't match mental capacity, then I would say there is a developmental problem which needs addressing.

(Primary school has lower expectations I think - I mean they can get away with messy work more under 11)

Oh, why do you ask? Pupil of yours? Friend's child?
I absolutely hate words like 'lazy' etc

I'm struggling with DD's behaviour/work/attitude and my mum has given me my old reports. It scares me how much DD (at only 7) is repeating the patterns that I was so many years ago.

My mum was a very low achiever at school and only just literate when she left (with an O level in Literature) - she never had a problem with reading but getting it on paper was difficult for her

What do DD's school reports say, km?

not shown enthusiasm, lacks motivation, rebellious phases

and at parents evening, her work is adequate and ordinary

From the comments I figured they were older style reports - not the temrinology or the "all positive comment" form of today's reports.

How is she with reading?

superb - reading famous five, swallow and amazons (struggling with Mallory Towers but that seems to be that it is so "alien" to life nowadays - started HP and Lion witch & wardrobe - but couldn't get to grips with either - both in quite a different type to the others)

Thank god they are old reports! Was horrified to think that reports were still like that.

My old school reports would have been very like yours tbh, but with words like 'facetious' thrown in for good meaure. I got a degree and I never have to do sports day again so yah book sucks to them.
I think I have some dyspraxic traits myself, actually and I certainly see them with knobs on in my son. I think handwriting is hugely overrated though. Modern technology can see to that.
Talk to your dd, talk to her teachers and consider talking to the Senco about ways to help her get her ideas out of her head and onto paper - she might be better off using a keyboard for example.
And PE doesn't count as a proper subject in my book. Couldn't give a toss what my kid's PE report is like, as long as they aren't pushing other kids off hte wallbars.

If her motor skills are getting her poor marks or she is frustrated by not being able to get her thoughts out, then she will get demotivated.

How are her social skills btw?