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Original poster

DD going private next year-worried that her maths will be behind...

14 replies

MissWimpyDimple · 24/08/2013 21:39

My DD is going into year 2, for year 3 onwards she is (hopefully) going to go private.

Her literacy, writing, reading is excellent, well above average so I have no concerns there, but I have serious concerns about her maths.

She is probably somewhere just below or around average, but really panics and struggles with simple concepts and doesn't seem to be able to retain the information and strategies that she needs to complete simple sums Sad

I feel like this is crazy, but I'm really wondering if I need to look for a tutor for her this year, as surely starting year 3 at the private school still behind would be very hard for her?

Seems mad to be considering tutoring for a 6 year old but I know it's bothering her and she seems to be losing confidence and interest in maths very rapidly Blush

Where do I even go about getting a tutor for a child so young?!

Am I worrying about nothing? Will the private school (a good and rather competitive academic one) even take her and if they do will they "sort her out" or will that be too late?

OP posts:
JammieMummy · 24/08/2013 22:45

I can't speak from experience but I would imagine your DD's school would not be overly concerned if she was average in Maths but above average in everything else at this stage. Lots of people say that the teaching until year 3 is broadly the same as in state school it is from there on that the differences become more obvious.

What I would be aware of is if she is struggling once she is in her new school. Just be aware of her possible difficulties and, if you need to, step in before they start to effect her confidence. The school should be able to help you with this and give you better direction.

For now, if you want to do any extra maths work with her you should be ale to buy some decent books and cover the stuff yourself at home. I would advise making it fun and interactive (use the books as a guide more than just going through the dry practice runs). Also if you DD gets upset remind her that most people have a natural preference for either English or Maths and give her the additional confidence from her English work.

basildonbond · 25/08/2013 07:21

Does she have to do an entrance exam to get into the private school?

Why don't you have a look at the KS1 BBC bite size resources for maths - that will give you an idea of any particular areas of maths which are more 'wobbly' than others and take it from there

Lonecatwithkitten · 25/08/2013 08:04

There will probably be a range even with entrance examinations. In DD's year the range of maths abilities in her year 4 cohort at private school is 4 NC levels.
If she fits the schools other boxes they will work with her if it is the right school for her. A school that doesn't want her because something is not good enough is not the right place for her.

sanam2010 · 25/08/2013 09:44

I would echo the poster recommending to make it fun and interactive, not hiring a tutor. There's lots of fun ipad apps/websites you can use (King of Maths, Mathtacular, Maths Whizz, Number Battle...) and also check out the Khan Academy videos and stuff like that.

It sounds like she has already learned to fear maths which will freeze her brain, maybe if she could learn to enjoy it without pressure it will become much easier for her.

Original poster
MissWimpyDimple · 25/08/2013 19:21

Thank you, we have some books which we did start working through but I felt she should have a complete break so we haven't touched them for a month and she seems to have forgotten everything.

The private school doesn't have an entrance exam as such, I believe it is an informal assessment at this age which should be fine. I actually checked her NC levels today and she is 2b for reading and writing and 1b for maths. I think that makes her slightly below average but at least it's not disastrous.

I worry about her being so turned off by maths so early on :-(

OP posts:
Elibean · 25/08/2013 20:28

Both my dds lost confidence with maths somewhere in KS1....with dd1, it didn't show until Y3 at which point she was bursting into tears of panic over her maths homework, in spite of being in the top set (of her state primary). I actually did get her a tutor, for a term, not to get her into anywhere or better at anything, but just to help her consolidate the concepts she felt rocky on....the tutor was wonderfully encouraging, made it fun, and the goal has been well and truly reached. Maths is now her favourite subject Smile

dd2 just finished Y1, is fine on 1a for maths but again is showing signs of wobbly confidence and telling herself 'I can't do maths' etc. I don't know if its endemic for girls, or just my girls - I do know that most of them at my dds' school do very well indeed at maths by the time they reach Y6, but in the early years lots of wobbling goes on!

I find iPad apps like Squeebles are brilliant, and I've gone over some simple maths concepts using info from school about what they've covered and how, and she's happier already...but yes, do keep it fun, whether its with a tutor or with you Smile

(None of this is relevent to the impending change of school, but in a way - if there's no entrance exam - that isn't really the issue, I think)

Runningchick123 · 26/08/2013 08:05

2b is the expected level for the end of year 2, so she is spot on for reading and writing but behind by 3 sub levels in maths.
An explanation of the levels can be found here www.parentdish.co.uk/kids/primary-school-sats-year-2-year-6-are-they-important/

Maths whizz is a Good resource and if used for the recommended time (about 45 mins per week) is supposed to improve maths age by 18 months in only one year.

mysteryfairy · 26/08/2013 08:19

She's not at the end of y2 but at the end of y1 so assuming average progress of 2 sub levels per academic year she is only about a sub level behind.

The independent schools my DC went to expected solid level 3s for children going in to Y3. If your hoped for school has similar requirements you might have an issue. I would consider a tutor tbh. A good one will make Maths for a 6/7 year old fun anyway I would hope so not too onerous for your DD.

mrscog · 26/08/2013 08:22

I would echo making it fun, play lots of 'hidden' maths games - board games, play shops, if she's crafty/arty build it in to that etc. there are some great ideas on Pinterest under the education section.

ben5 · 26/08/2013 08:28

She's 6 stop stressing. Let her be a child while she can. Make maths fun. Play normal snap, or snap when you add or subtract a certain amount of numbers. When in the car say the times table. Can we do 1x2 - 1x12 before we get to school etc. jigsaw puzzles help logical thinking. Also think of what you were like at school. Were you top of the class in everything ?

IamFluffy · 26/08/2013 09:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Vietnammark · 26/08/2013 20:14

Don't know your kid, but I certainly wouldn't be considering a maths tutor for an average 6 year old.

Math apps are wonderful and a few have been suggested above. Board games are good, but can require a lot of parent time. For board games, depending on her level you could do something like this: Snakes and ladders- roll two dice at the same time, then flip a coin. If the coin comes up heads then this is a plus and you add the two numbers together. If it comes up a .........

This site may help for apps: www.commonsensemedia.org/reviews?media_type=30061&recommended_age=6&subjects=54131

LIZS · 26/08/2013 20:17

I wouldn't bother with tutoring but focus on mental maths and tables.

Original poster
MissWimpyDimple · 26/08/2013 21:08

Great, thanks for all the replies. Will look into some of the suggestions. Thanks

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