Hi all,
I have already posted before about my DD1's problems in Y1, I feel now they have come to a head and I am not sure what to do about them any longer.
To summarise, DD1's is in the local village school, ofsted outstanding, etc...nice school, nice kids, etc...however...She is in a class with a large group of children who still have not come to grips with the basics. Or at least this has been given to us over and over again as a reason why the class, and especially the upper end is not progressing and not being taught at their level. My DD1 is in the top group but to be honest looking at national averages and the rest, really just sailing close to average.
We've raised this issue many times and every time have been told what to do with her at home - this has worked in a way in terms of progressing her with her reading and writing, BUT my DD1 is increasingly demotivated and demoralised as she feels she is working hard at home but not really getting much from the school, neither in terms of learning or rewards. She is starting to switch off quite considerably and I would say regressing in many ways.
Yesterday she came home with the first set of "spellings" - they were:
He - She - Was - All - The - with a note saying that they had covered these in class but needed work at home. I do believe this is the level most of the class is working at, as the teacher said over half of the children are still working towards 1c. I don't know why this is, but that's where we are at.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that her brother in reception is well beyond that, and this is not helping. She told me she went to the teacher and said she could do those and the teacher said "shut up and sit on the carpet, I haven't got time for this". Obviously I don't know whether this is true, but I know from having been in several times to speak to the teacher that my DD1 is seeing as an irritation. I don't want my DD to be given any special treatment, by the way, I just want her to given enough opportunity to progress in a reasonable way.
We've had to go in several times as at one point, as she was having her books changed once a month and not even read with, and this I felt was unsatisfactory. We had to go in at least 3 times to get this particular situation resolved, and to be fair it has been now. Even her reading though, is way way below what she reads at home, she is free reading chapter books and still on ORT level 8. I am not bothered about this particularly, as she is reading loads at home and so we have that in hand - however, this is just one other sign of what's happening and also a result of many many weeks of not having her books changed, etc...
I went recently to an open class event and my DD1's draw was full to brimming with photocopied coloured in sheets. She claims that she is given photocopied colouring in sheets quite a lot as she finishes her work in 2 seconds flat (I can believe it if it is that easy) and then is bored so is given stuff to colour in. As there is no other evidence of work, like art or modelling or anything else, I worry that the bulk of the school day is spent supporting/catching up this large bunch of children, and the ones who are closer to average are just left to fend for themselves.
This is certainly what my DD1 claims, although you can never be sure 100% of what a 6 year old states, can you, as they have their own way of seeing things, I guess, and I am not sat in the class to judge for myself. I asked my DD why she can't do a painting for example or something arty instead of coloured in sheets and she says that paints etc have been locked away as naughty children are splashing all over the place with them. There has been a problem with this, so I believe that one. She also says the class is very very noisy and we had a problem with headaches, because of it. My DS1 also says their class is very very noisy as he is adjacent and says that his teacher often has to go and ask to keep it down please.
I have tried to grin and bear it and just get on with stimulating her with stuff after school, she does loads of other activities, but I feel deep down that this is not solving the main issue, ie her schooling is failing her and it is having an effect on her.
I would love to move her but we have no other options locally. We could move her to selective independent education, this is 20 miles away, and so a long day for a 6 year old and possibly a solution, who knows. I would love to know from the MN jury whether you would be happy with this or not, as I feel like I am losing perspective on it. I feel like I ought to go back in and fight for her but I am just starting to feel like there is no point?