Awful parents evening reception

[Freddyfor]

Just had parents evening and I'm so upset for my DS he's 4. He started the school in Januray as we relocated , he also had a new baby brother arrive at the same time - who was in NICU for 5 weeks .

His old school loved him great report, the new teacher didn't say one positive thing about him and he genuinely is such a lovely boy . She said his concentration is awful (worst in the class, not badly.behaved just zones out ) and he's behind on blending/phonics . He is hit and miss with concentration at home he will always concentrate on something he wants to do i.e lego , playdoh, painting . But reading for example sometimes he will do it gladly other times not so much.

She mentioned eye contact when she was trying to take a picture when he first started, he's actually amazing with eye contact and I really don't think he has autism as I've watched for signs as ny DB has it. Q

Obviously he's had a lot.of chnage and I feel incredibly guilty. She also mentioned he plays with people but sometimes also will play on his own is this not normal ? He loves other children he had lovely friends in his old school and now I feel awful for pulling him away from it all.

Any tips on how I can help him ? Or has anyone experienced a bad recpetion report

The teacher sounds rubbish to be honest. If she's not able to speak enthusiastically about a sweet little 4 year old, or even point out a few of his strengths then she shouldn't be working in early years. The reception teachers in our school celebrate the tiniest of things like being able to sit still on the mat for 10 seconds if that's what a child is capable of, they celebrate acts of kindness, sharing and completing/attempting the challenges that children have the choice to do/not do. They have a rainbow system whereby the children move higher up for good behaviour and enthusiasm about learning. School is meant to be play based and fun at this age. I hope your son has a better teacher next year. If this teacher carries on with her lacklustre approach I'd be inclined to ask for a meeting with the head.

@Freddyfor This sounds like a teacher who’s been asked to teach YR but isn’t engaged with it. From what you say, you are no further forward. I would just hang on in there and see if you arrange for other dc to come and play. Does he have a birthday coming up - maybe seek out a few dc who might come to his party?

Id be looking forward to next year and a fresh start. His reading sounds good! I think your teacher should be assessing DS and should have had positive things to say as well as points to work on. You don’t seem to be much further forward on how to help because the comments don’t have constructive encouragement.

I had to come back and update the thread , after all of your support and such an awful parents evening incase anyone in the same boat comes across it.

We got his end of year report and the same teacher was glowing about him, not even one slightly negative point. Listed 8 very good friends he made , and was so positive about him (and I know this wasn't the case with all reports).

I also got a full copy of his EYFS report that goes to his Y1 teacher and he is on track for everything including his phonics.

Sounds like this was a reflection of the teacher and not your son! She should have been much more clued into all that change and done her all to support it. I notice a lot of teachers now, maybe understandably after years of under diagnosis, are very quick to look out for so-called warning signs when so often a child's experience tells much of the story. And then it can be a vicious circle, if the teacher was kind and nurturing and reassuring, your ds' behaviour and concentration may have cone on more quickly. The fact she had nothing good to say is wrong at 4yo.

Oh brilliant, I should have read the update before posting above. Great news 👏