"Levels" of primary school children

[MrsSnape]

I'll post this on here and primary as I'm not sure where it most fits.

I've just been to DS's open night (year 4, aged 9) and was told that he is currently a level 3c on everything apart from Writing which is a 2a.

I know the level 2a is below where he should be but DS is upset and seems to think that 3c is also far lower than he should be although the teacher said it was fine....

Any ideas?

I'm a secondary teacher rather than primary, but we still deal in levels for key stage 3. The difference between 2a and 3c is marginal, so nothing to get too concerned about IMO.

The most important thing is not to get too hung up about levels in any way. They are fairly useful for giving a general idea of a child's progress, but parents and children - and most definitely schools, as it's what they get judged on - get too hung up on them and make too much out of them.

How do you feel your DS is doing? Is the school addressing his needs? Are you happy with the school? Do you think his writing isn't as good as it could be? Could you help him with this at home? These are more important questions, I think, than going solely on levels.

level 2a and 23c are fine!
As bago says, take no notice of silly levels!

Hi - I'm a primary school teacher and taught year 3. In year 3, the school I was at wanted to see 3c's from the children in the end of year tests. So - if your son is in year 4 and getting mostly 3C's then that is, like the teacher said, good at this stage - he is working in line. As he progresses towards the end of year 4 he might move up to a 3b. To be honest though, I think the whole levelling thing is pretty silly. So much depends on different teachers differing standards and methods of marking / carrying out tests etc. I am surprised the school discussed levels too. Often it is enough to just say 'working in line' etc. Don't worry though! It sounds like he is doing well. In my opinion it is a real shame he knows the term '3c', when he is too young to be worrying about things like this.