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Original poster

Level 6 maths - what next?

43 replies

Puffinlover · 14/02/2015 20:32

My DS is in year six and has always loved maths and is very good at it. His year group have been doing lots of SATS practice this year and his teacher told me he is comfortably achieving level 6 in maths. Having looked online it seems that this level is an average 15 year old. I was wondering what is your experience of high school maths if he's already done a lot of what they will cover? Do schools typically offer further maths type qualifications that he can do alongside gcse? He's my oldest and I'm new to all this!

OP posts:
var123 · 16/02/2015 11:28

Also, as far as I know, the writing level gets assessed across sevral pieces of work produced in class for a range of subject, including English, RE, history, geography etc. Basically its an average of a sample of different pieces of work and not really an exam at all.

I know this is right for levels 3-5, but not sure about whether it also applies L6 writing as Ds will be doing well if he gets a secure 5.

troutsprout · 17/02/2015 09:22

I think it depends which secondary you choose with regards to the "what next" question
Dd is in year 7 at a small state academy .She got level 6 in maths in year 6 and is now being taught in with the top year 8 class at secondary. . The school sets to ability rather than age which is one of the reasons we chose it. Her target in maths for the end of year 7 is 7b. Her target for the end of year 8 is 8c. She will begin gcses after that. The gcse classes are also mixed year 9,10 and 11 students.
We had to really think about the choice for secondary for her. So far > it's going really well and she's enjoying school again.

Snailinashell123 · 22/02/2015 11:41

My DD achieved a level 6 in her Year 6 SATs, and she then went on to a grammar school. She found the work their, in Maths incredibly challenging, but halfway through the year we moved house into an area with only comprehensives. She went to one with a good ofstead rating and found that, because they were put into sets, the Maths work was a lot more challenging and the teacher more inspiring.

Snailinashell123 · 22/02/2015 11:44

Forgot to mention she is now getting level 8s in maths, halfway through year 8, so if you can find the right teacher they will be stretched.

var123 · 22/02/2015 14:27

troutsprout - I am wondering how children could get a level 6,7 or 8 in an exam without having been introduced and learned the material that pertains to that level?

Then I realised that it can be done and I've seen it happen. However, it can only happen if the child knows the lower levels inside out and has the ability to think out of the box to apply what they know to the higher level problems. So, doesn't that make them higher ability anyway?

The national curriculum tests are an objective measure and all schools use the same tests. The marking scheme is the only marking scheme. You can't give a mark, unless the scheme says you can, just because the marker thinks a child meant x but only wrote y.

Bonsoir · 22/02/2015 14:29

IMO the most constructive thing to do with a DC who is a comfortable Level 6 in maths at primary is to practice much harder arithmetic using the concepts he/she has already mastered.

OhFlippityBolax · 05/03/2015 21:12

Glad I read this thread as my y5 dc is working towards being level 6 at the end of the year and I'm really floundering as to how to support another year of primary maths!

TheRealMaryMillington · 28/03/2015 18:52

Bonsoir, could you suggest what this might be? Any resources you are aware of?

DS is secure at level 6 (and we are also prepping for 11+ so he has plenty on his plate just now) but with new curriculum now in place, teacher is not supposed to start teaching them next year's year 6 work - not sure the school has got it yet - IYSWIM.

JustRichmal · 28/03/2015 21:25

The Primary maths challenge is something you could look at and ask if your school takes part. I think it is held in November.

For children far ahead, I would look at some of the previous Junior Maths Challenge papers on the UKMT website. Most maths which is done at schools is along the lines of: Here is the maths and here are the problems you use it to solve. The UKMT papers present the children with: Here is a problem, you decide what maths you will use to solve it. It is very inspiring for mathematically minded children. It is aimed at the top third of Y7 and Y8. However, if they really enjoy it and are doing well, you could always ask your school about the possibility of them ordering some papers or putting your child in for the actual test at a local secondary. The JMC is in June, so perhaps wise not distracting them from 11+ prep in year 5.

Nrich is another website worth dipping into.

For just learning maths at home, Khan Academy or Hagertymaths are good websites which are free.

I would not go along the lines of harder arithmetic. Once your child has learnt a concept, more difficult numbers just make it tedious, not clearer.

TheRealMaryMillington · 28/03/2015 22:16

Thankyou Just Richmal

The JMC looks very much like the kind of thing DS would think was fun, but I agree, not something to do this year - maybe next.

The exam he will sit is in early October (Liverpool Bluecoat - so super-selective in effect) so the priority has to be making sure he has the 11+ stuff covered. The school are fab but not generally geared up for children who want to sit 11+ - we are in the next Borough where there are no grammar schools.

JustRichmal · 28/03/2015 22:34

I suspect you already know about the 11+ website, but thought I would mention it just in case.

TheRealMaryMillington · 28/03/2015 23:07

Yes, but thank you - it is - er - bewildering…..!

yoyo1234 · 29/03/2015 11:59

I would also recommend Primary Math Challenge, Nrich and anything by the UKMT.

JustRichmal · 29/03/2015 13:17

Just realised it is Hegartymaths. (I wrote it wrongly above) I think it starts at KS3 and is English, whereas Khan Academy is American and starts with early years. I find Khan Academy useful for the bits of maths I don't understand.

JustRichmal · 29/03/2015 13:22

Oh no. That now sounds like I struggle with early years maths. Grin

chickydoo · 29/03/2015 13:29

I don't think it's unusual. My DS yr 5 state primary is a level 6 in maths, certainly not G&T, just good at maths along with at least 6 others in his class.

TheRealMaryMillington · 29/03/2015 14:01

So how are your school working with that cohort chicly, (which probably is quite unusual, to be fair)?

No-one on here is asking for approbation just ways of working with school to continue to encourage and challenge those who have exhausted the confines of the current curriculum. Otherwise not sure why you posted?

gaslamp · 29/03/2015 16:39

DD's set (all will be entered for L6) have spent a lot of the year doing higher level work (L7, L8) in some areas of maths (but by no means all) - they've dipped in and out of secondary school maths curriculum. She's really enjoyed it. But back to earth with a bump the last few weeks as they are doing practice SAT papers and revisiting stuff. she is quite bored now but for most of the year, the extension work kept her attention

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