high EYFS

[spongecustard]

in my ds year(reception), there are at least 5
children who have scored mostly 9's with a couple of 8s on the EYFS. There are about 40 children in total split into two classes.
Is this normal or is this a bright year?

Am no expert, but I think it's quite normal. Kids range hugely in EY, so some will get lower or average marks for the more academic markers, then leap massively in Yr1 and also in Yr2. That means some that got high EYFS in reception might plateau and others might catch them up. End of Yr2 seems to be a better marker from what I've heard, though even then you can't really tell, as some kids suddenly blossom as they get more confident with reading/ writing as they move through primary.

According to DD's reception teacher, scores of 9 mean that the child is working at year 1 ability. She said it was quite unusual for receptioin children to score many 9's.

I know they use moderation, but I'm not convinced that the grading is that consistent.
The number of 9's has dropped slightly in recent years and it has been suggested that this is due to improved moderation, but I get the feelign there is still a fair amount of inconsistency.

If you pass all your early stage goals does this equate to 9s? Just wondered as DDs report said she had achieved all the goals but no numbers given.

Achieving the goals, means 6 I think. Doesn't mean she didn't get over 6 for each snowlady, just that she's hit the targets across the board for end of reception.

From what I remember the goals aren't all academic, so for example even if your child isn't reading very well they can still get some high scores for some of the markers.

I think that 9 refers to working beyond the EY goals

Is this a new thing? Sounds like more testing to worry some parents with. I vaguely remember base-line assessments being mentioned a few years ago and when I asked was told mine was fine.

In most schools they don't tell you the results - yeay for that I say!

6 = "working securely within the EL goals"

National average is 6-7 (it varies across the different scales)

8 corresponds to achieving ALL the goals.

loads of info on national performance here.EYFS

Note that if they haven't achieved a particular goal it does NOT mean that they CAN'T do it, just that they have been observed doing it under the required conditions.

for example, DS1 did not achieve the one about being able to sing a song, because being a well mannered child he does not spontaneously break into song within the classroom

I agree smee.
We were given way too much useless info in a form that was incomprehensible to most. And it was really a descirption of what DS1 chooses to do rather than what he CAN do.

I would rather have some more descriptive info about what he had done well and what areas we could be working to help him with.

the problem is that once parents find out that these scores are being recorded they want to know them so some schools have started to give it out as standard.

I agree muddleduck (great name btw!). So sad to label them when they're so little and it seems to mean v. little in terms of future and surely all that matters is that they're happy at school and starting to learn.

We just had the evidence based assessment thing with a Yr1 report. DS got a 1A for something, when Teacher said he's more securely a 2C, but as it all has to be evidence based he couldn't put that on his report. Seems bizarre to me, but fortunately we don't really care about grades as he's still so little. Am sure to a lot of parents it matters a lot though.

DS and most of his friends scored 9s across the board.

However, given they are the oldest in the year, I fully expect it all to even out by year 2, when the age gap is less obvious and when they actaully have to sit on their bottoms and put in a bit of effort

It sounds like a bright year as i thought it was pretty exceptional for a child to get mostly 9s because of the way it is marked ie.observed doing the points independently.

muddleduck moderation is meant to ensure consistency and it does to a degree within a LA but nationally there is some discrepancy judging by the TES EY forum.

snowlady if a child has achieved all ELGs it would be a score of 8 as muddleduck says 9 is working beyond the ELGs.

abouteve it's been in place for 10 years although they have added EY to the name

All EYFS providers must provide parents, carers or guardians with a written summary
of a child?s progress against the early learning goals and the assessment scales.

Mrz would it be common for your school to give out quite a few 9s across the board?

I teach in an area designate as being one of "social and economic deprivation" so it would be highly unusual for any child to have 9s across the board (haven't had one in 10 years)

mrz you should get a full time job on here.

Perhaps I could moonlight in the holidays

ok now im confused ds got all 6s and 7's and they said he was working near to age expectations which was good considering his age. he is an aug baby

6's and 7's are fine. means he's where he's easily where he should be, which is good for an August born boy.

Well I thought he did brill but then again his school were never going to admit that he had done well even if he got all 9's they would have been very negative. Oh well thank god he only has 1 more year there and hoping juniors are much more realistic in regards to children being children.

mumbar 6 & 7 are good for any child at the end of reception so well done our son

thankyou mrz I was pleased too and even more thrilled with his end of yr 1 results. 1b writing and 1a for maths and reading. Shame about the comments at parents eve tho

Fantastic well done mumbar's son!