How can I compare my 5yr level of understanding with other UK kids?

[WHaTiSBest999]

Nathan 5yrs and appears to be like every other 5yr old. But as a mother how do I know that my Cumbrian little lad is on the right educational track? How can I guage that he's not slipping behind? The recent TV programme talking about eduction featuring mumsnet has got me thinking about the bigger picture. Any views?Help?

The first thing you have to realise is that the right track is a broad one. Not everybody is going to be in the same place.

My ds was nowhere near the level of understanding of most of his friends, but that was not to do with any failure on our part or on the part of the school, but simply to do with the fact that he was a late developer. That is allowed! It could also have turned out that he simply wasn't very bright. That would also have been allowed!

My own questions for this age was: is he happy? does he enjoy school? does he seem to feel he can cope with the work? does he seem as if he is learning new things and discovering more about the world?

I have had the very educational experience of bringing up two children with widely varying abilities. This has made me realise that my aim is not for either of them to be like each other or like everybody else- but to be what is right for them. If that means dd ends up chancellor of the university and ds ends up a dustbin man, that is not a problem. As long as they have a chance to get to a place that is right for them. But 5 is far too early to judge where that is going to be.

WHaTiSBest999 - you will know when he is 7 and you receive his KS1 Sat results. This is what is good about them.

In reception it is really not a very interesting question.

By year 2 it starts to get more interesting - but school are also interested in it and will tell you what his predicted grade for KS1 is. If and only if he is predicted (and then gets) a level 1 do you have cause for concern.

So, until year 2, chill - unless the teacher tells you they are concerned and puts them on the SEN register.

I am still trying to work out the answer to that one, and DS1 is in Year 3.

In comparison to the average MN child it would appear that he is completely stupid.
In comparison to my SIL's children he is also apperntly far, far behind.
However in comparison to his classmates he is near the top end.

Is my SIL lying? Are MN children in general far cleverer than average? Is the DC's school just crap? Who knows.

But if he is in year 3 than you have just had his KS1 results. If he got 2's then he is working at the expected level. If he got 3s then his is above. If he got 1s he is below.

It really is that simple.

Nobody had any results at the end of Year 2. So it isn't "that simple" unfortunately.

Ummm. Are you in England? That's not legal....

School has to provide you with their KS1 results at the end of year 2.

We are in Wales.

Several people on MN have said that they have to tell us at the end of Year 2, but many of the schools in this area don't seem to have.

Can you ask for the results, domestic?

OP
we went along to a free sample session at Explore Learning. We didnt sign up for it, but they did a few bits with him and said he was spot on for english and very slightly ahead on maths. As this agreed with my gut instinct I guess they are about right.
Maybe worth a 'free trial' with them to find out?

Thanks for all the responses. I know feel alot happier that I should 'just chill' and that maybe things are going in te right direction. I do have alot of confidene in the school. I guess I feel a little out of my depth with what is expected, i think I'm going to be the one going back to school and learning what each stage contains and what these different levels are all about. I'm interedsted in the Explore Learning perhaps in a couple of years to guage independantly where my little cherub is. Many thanks all.

what a lovely refreshing post domesticsluttery

I think if other parents seem happy with the school and there have been no reports of him being behind, then you shouldn't worry...if he is happy to go in the morning and you keep being interested and supporting him, hell be just fine!

"what a lovely refreshing post domesticsluttery"

???

domestic I have often thought that my ds is too thick for me to fully participate on MN as an equal.

domestic I reckon it was meant as a compliment. Everyone else on MN seems to be the mother of geniuses.

it was meant as a compliment! sorry won't bother next time

Sorry nik, I read it in a hurry and took it the wrong way.

Note to self: stop being on the defensive all the time.

It is true though, I've lost count of the number of times I've been told "I can't believe that your DC is only on level X" when that same DC is doing perfectly well in comparison to his or her classmates, and although the school is not Eton it isn't that bad...

I am out and proud of not being the mother of a genius :)