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Gifted and talented

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Original poster

Levels end of year 8

21 replies

chiefbrody · 05/02/2015 07:29

I went on education and during a conversation told the posters my son has expected levels of 7 at the end of year 8. [He is already there in some subjects]

My sons class mates are of a similar level.

But someone on the board gave the impression that she did not believe me. Thus telling me to go to G AND T.

I am shocked are these levels really good.

The school do not seem to make much of them just say that he is doing really well.

OP posts:
TheFirstOfHerName · 05/02/2015 07:46

Depends which subject.

For a child in Y8 to be level 7 in Maths is quite common, especially for those in the top set or at an academically selective school.

In other subjects it is more unusual. DS2 (Y8) is already level 7 in Science, but he is gifted at Science.

Original poster
chiefbrody · 05/02/2015 07:56

His school is a normal academy.

He was level 7b at science end of year 7.......

All other subjects he is predicted and on track for 7a or 7b...

OP posts:
Original poster
chiefbrody · 05/02/2015 07:57

Oh and already 7a at geography...... son said teacher said she could not mark any higher?????

Parents evening soon.... will ask more questions about levels

OP posts:
var123 · 05/02/2015 11:26

its very good.. top set across the board type stuff.

As far as I understand it. only maths has a level 6-8 SATS paper / level 8 curriculum. I don't know what happens with students who hit the top level before its time to start the GSCE prep. Probably extension work of some kind. It will be interesting to hear what you find out.

var123 · 05/02/2015 12:49

PS I think I saw that thread where you were told to go off to G&T.

If it is the one I was thinking of, where the mother only wanted to hear from others whose children were getting lowish marks (bottom 40%, maybe??) but was insisting in calling it normal, and anything better was abnormal, then you have my sympathies! She was very ungracious.

Original poster
chiefbrody · 05/02/2015 13:00

Thank you for your reply........ [both of you]

Parents evening will be interesting.

OP posts:
Original poster
chiefbrody · 05/02/2015 13:09

Just read some more replies on the other thread and I am quite taken aback that some children are getting level 5s at year 8..... [ most of my sons friend and indeed himself got that in year 6]

But i know people dont want to hear that on mn in general....

Seems my son is doing very very well and I did not even realise....

OP posts:
var123 · 05/02/2015 13:35

Ds1 (also year 8) has mostly level 7 targets this year too. His maths is 8B so I'd only noticed that before as the one where the work will run out. He's top set and he's very able but he's not really exceptional, apart for maths.

I've no idea what the school will do next - I've never thought about it. Its a good question though.

I know the GCSEs are changing a lot, with more content being added and the current year 8s will be the first to sit the entirely new series. I suspect that it will mean that they will have to do better than other years to get very good grades, not based on anything except my own experience of newly introduced exams. Maybe they will just start learning the stuff earlier.

Its more work, but cope-able, for the most able but God help those who are currently getting a level 5.

Original poster
chiefbrody · 05/02/2015 14:24

Indeed my son is very able but I never really thought he was exceptional.

But level 5 at year 8, that must be too low............

OP posts:
Cheeseandhamtoast · 05/02/2015 14:32

No not too low! Level 5 in year 8 is fine for most children! I think leads to a C or above at GCSE.

Cheeseandhamtoast · 05/02/2015 14:34

Level 7s in year 8 would be leading to A or A* at GCSE. So I was quite happy to see people with more average children posing on the other thread!

Original poster
chiefbrody · 05/02/2015 14:36

Great.... I might lurk around here for a while as he picks his options next year and I would like to guide him to the right way........ although from what I have heard I think the choice is limited.

OP posts:
mrsminiverscharlady · 05/02/2015 14:44

I don't think level 7s in year 8 is exceptional - by definition if most of his class mates are getting similar grades then he's not exceptional. Level 9/10 in year 8 without lots of tutoring might be exceptional, but in general I don't think GCSE levels are a very good indicator of exceptional ability: I know a number of straight A/A* GCSE students who struggled at A level.

sanfairyanne · 05/02/2015 14:50

its top set type stuff i think, on line for gcse a or a* as others have said - normal for mumsnet Grin but perhaps a bit unusual at school. thing is, they are often streamed, so their friends tend to get the same grades

var123 · 05/02/2015 15:43

mrsminiverscharlady - does level 9/10 even exist? I was told (by the teacher) that it doesn't.

Original poster
chiefbrody · 05/02/2015 15:50

Yes my sons year is streamed in most subjects.

OP posts:
catslife · 05/02/2015 15:54

You are correct var123 levels 9 and 10 don't exist (now). The highest level that dcs can obtain at KS3 is level 8 and although this only formally exists for Maths there may be extension work where pupils can reach this level in other subjects.
In the early days of the National Curriculum (late 1980s) the NC levels were continued upwards for GCSE work so 9 and 10 used to exist. It is possible that some schools may have kept this going but it's not official.
However it also needs to be added that NC levels are officially being abolished so some schools could be developing their own systems.

mrsminiverscharlady · 05/02/2015 17:31

Yes, used locally, didn't know it didn't exist officially any longer.

Snailinashell123 · 22/02/2015 11:48

My dd is at a level 8 in English, Maths, History and Geography, with level 7s in Science and 6s in languages, but she is in the top set. The majority of her school friends are getting a mixure of 5s,6s,7s and 8s.

18yearstooold · 22/02/2015 11:55

Levels vary from school to school anyway I know they shouldn't but they do

Dd top set maths in yr 8, no one is higher than a 7a
A girls transferred from another school, apparently at level 8 -didn't stay in the maths set very long

Same when they start the school, the set was made up entirely of children that were level 6 maths, within a couple of weeks those children were spread out across 3 sets

If they are working hard, engaged and have good effort grades then I don't worry about NC levels

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