Son not interested in education- help!

[Pigeonpies]

My almost 11year old has had me practically in tears today.

He has no interest in his education. We're trying to study for SATS, i've printed off test papers, go through homework with him etc etc but his overall attitude is lazy, and because it's not fun, he puts no effort in.

He's already falling behind, and it's because he mucks around in class and doesn't listen and/or remember what he's supposed to be doing

I'm at a complete loss as to how to incentivise him, or drum in the importance of doing well.

How do I engage him?! Does anyone else have this? I'm dreading GCSE's in a few years :(

Try to engage him in something which raises his sense of self. Drama, a sport, anything which will raise his status and make him feel more confident. Something which makes him proud of himself and able to succeed. Praise might turn him round in time. Try not to put too much pressure on him, and praise small successes.

SATs results are important for the government, and therefore the school, but not the child. I would be wary of trying to set him anything in addition to what school has given him, as this risks putting him off even more. So, hard as it is, try to relax! Maybe book a chat with his teacher at the start of next term. Maybe he is reacting to pressure put on him by school?

I know the SATs are more for the government, but I also know the results get sent to secondary so they can place him in sets. I've heard it's near impossible to move up sets once you're in them , that you have to work exceptionally harder to prove you can move up.

So, my fear is this is setting him up for life a bit. I do have a tendency to catastrophize and think way ahead to the future, but I didn't have the support he is being offered by me ( and his dad) and I just want him to do better and not struggle

I have met with the teacher, same story really, doesn't listen, only joins in with things he finds easy, and gives up when things get hard.

He has joined so many clubs over the years ( my attempt to get him involved and boost self esteem) but he just gives up eventually.

The only thing he's interested in is videogames!!

I am having similar problems with my year 6 boy. School want me to speak to them to discuss how we can get him to apply himself but I certainly have not got the answers. I think it is his reaction to the pressure he feels but school keep going on about how he is capable of more.

My eldest ds had an awful time in year 6 and is like a different child at secondary so I am hoping ds2 will be the same.

Our local secondary have stopped using SATs to set the year 7s as they are a waste of time so that is a relief!

Hopefully someone will have some suggestions,

Sounds exactly like my son.

a) moving up sets wasn't really that impossible; even he managed it despite still being pretty lazy in secondary

b) I have come to accept that he is never going to go down the study route; he is now 18 and looking for an apprenticeship; something hands on would suit him well

Apparently they also use ks2 sats results for predicted grades for gcse. And the schools are targetted for them to achieve these predictions so the school might make less effort if they only expect the dc to do badly...