level 4c in y3

[suecy]

DC is level 4c for everything, and 4b in maths just a term into y3. Is this bright,or something more?

Always thought 4B was average leaving y6, so does it mean DC is 3 yrs ahead?

adoptamama thank you for such a sensible comment about those levels. I have a friend who is a secondary school teacher and she told me that they ignore the SATs levels, but read the information from the schools and then assess the children themselves in yr7 - seems to work out fine.

Parents are never satisfied with the teacher saying their child is fine, doing well, no problems - they always want a number so they can see how their child compares right from the moment the child starts school.

@ IndigoBell absolutely which is why the whole SAT thing should be scrapped as it is done. Reporting to parents and children on progress and development needs - totally agree with it. Using it for League Tables - disgrace!

Right, so does the school decide when a child sits GCSEs? You've got me worried now, at open evening they were definitely pushing sitting early and I don't want my DD to miss out on the grade she could get given the right amount of learning time.

My subject is one where there are rarely reasons to sit early. I've only had it once and the pupil did it at end of year 10 (got A). Maths & English it can work well as they can (depending on exam board being used - edexel, cambridge, aqa) do something like Eng. Lang. yr 10 and continue with Lit year 11 or extended maths yr 10 and Additional Maths in yr 11. I know pupils who have sat early and got the A/A and others where they have had to resit after only getting B. I've not worked in situation where children sit earlier than yr 10 - generally I see more sideways extension. If they are fluent in a second language then they can do language exams early with good success and I have seen this a lot. (Additional languages very good in supporting university applications).

Whether it is school who decides - in my experience it is generally a school led suggestion with parents being consulted. I have known parents push for early sits and - honestly - these are the times it is less successful because if the school does not think they are ready then they won't suggest it! Every school will have its own policy. If they suggest it I would ask them what they expect she is capable of on the day and whether they would expect her to do better by waiting. I have had pupils not get offers from uni despite having good A levels because a science or maths gcse grade wasn't ok so it is important they do as well as possible, especially in core curriculum areas and do not sit early just because they can march rapidly through the curriculum. Emotional maturity has a lot to do with exam success.

Also, if she does sit early, what will she do during that lesson time in future? Will they make provision for her to continue learning or will she be packed off to the library/quiet room to 'study'?

Thanks, adoptmama you have given me a lot of good pointers. She's Yr 6 now so plenty of time, but the school is striving to hit OFSTED Outstanding and I just want to be prepared so that I can ensure they act in DD's best interest rather than that of their stats .