How do I make sure my DS is being challenged at school without sounding like a pushy parent?

[LaundryFairy]

Parents' night is coming up and I need some advice on how to deal with this. DS is in reception and very bright, fantastic reader, and I want to ask about what they are doing to keep him interested and challenged at school, but I don't want to be seen as a horrid pushy parent. I really want him to be happy at school more than anything, but I'm worried that he may get bored very easily and loose interest in the whole thing. Any advice?

why don't you wait and let them tell you what they are doing, rather than go in with a plan. Do you know that they are NOT doing additional stuff?

what do you mean by very bright, fantastic reader?

Do you mean he's reading chapter books? Is he getting chapter books home?

Hi Twiglett, Yes he reads chapter books and is having them sent home.

Wait and see what they have to say first - you may be pleasantly surprised. Also remember that there is much more to reception than 'academic" stuff - he'll be learning lots of things about what being at school's like, and that may be enough for him for a while. Teachers are used to bright kids - and the good ones get very excited when they have him in their class.

Crunchie, you're right, I do need to hear what they are doing - I just wanted a bit of advice on how others have dealt with this sort of situation.

I agree with you about Reception Year being about a lot more than academic stuff, Seeker. Took DS ages to get the hang of playtime - probably the most important stuff he's learned this year!

then they are aware of and accomodating his reading needs surely

Unless you are concerned about something else?

Do you feel that he's not interested and challenged at the moment?

You may be surprised Laundry.
I went in to dd's parent's evening (reception)thinking 'i bet they haven't got dd's measure' and came out thinking 'ooh i hope they aren't pushing her too hard!!'
after they said her teacher said they are starting her on year 3&4 words and giving her literacy and maths challenge work.
(see we are never satisfied are we...poor blardy teachers can never do it right

Can anyone tell me more about the "Gifted and Tallented" register? I've read about it in the paper, but I don't know how schools use it, and if there is any advantage in terms of resources to being on it. And does it even start at reception year? I really have no idea about these things, and feel a bit akward asking the school about it.

oops didn't realise this was G&T
Ignore post
dd is not g&t

except at being a pain in the butt

I don't have any other concerns Twiglett - other than he is a boy with a typically short attention span when bored.

Nice to hear of your good experience, Troutpout.

Of course you can ask his school about it. That wont make you seem like a pushy parent, honestly. Just someone who wants to be involved and knows the importance of education.

LOL at pain in but Troutpout! But given what your DD's teacher says, I think your post is very relevant.

Join the library. Let him choose from a wide range of books.

Yes, we do regular library trips, Martianbishop

Hercules 1 - I'm sure you're right. I think it's more to do with my own fear of how the school might see me - my dad would think that I was getting a bit "full of myself" to even bring it up.

think in fs and yr1 they are more focused on getting them all to read.

Really, don't worry. You are simply asking how the school deals with your childs needs as a general question. There really is nothing wrong with showing an interest. (I'm a teacher btw)

Thanks hercules1 . Nice to hear that from a teacher's perspective.

or you could ask at the office before hand to see their G&T policy (if they have one)

In my experience of reception class, if your DS is capable of reading chapter books and they have realised this and are sending him home with appropriate reading material, then you have nothing to worry about, as they clearly have a good idea of his abilities.

LaundryFairy: Re the Gifted and Talented Register - all state schools have to list the top 10% of their pupils. Different schools use different criteria - some use SATs results, teacher recommendation, assessment of different/multiple intelligences, etc. There is nothing in the government guidelines which states schools must tell parents - many do not. Equally there was nothing in the original guidelines which stated what schools should do with the children on the Register - many schools simply created a list. As children are not measured against a national criteria a child may be on the G&T register in one school, but not when it moves to another (or vice versa).

Do they still listen to him read? I was a very early reader and was reading chapter books not long after I started school but they never bothered listening to me read because I was considered a fluent reader. Eventually I became bored with reading as I didn't always understand the content of the books I was reading, this wasn't picked up and by the end of primary school I had an average reading age.