What level should a school reading scheme go up to?

[Runoutofideas]

My dd is in Yr1 - she was reading Ginn 360 level 7 books. This week she has moved to "shelf 1". I queried it with the teacher this morning and shelf 1 contains a mixture of story books and small chapter books. I asked if that meant she'd finished with the reading scheme books and she said "yes, there is no level 8".

I'm slightly concerned that it seems very early to have stopped formal progression of reading skills - on the other hand I am very glad to see the back of the awful Ginn books.

I joined the reading chest for her as the school books were so dire, and she is reading "gold level" at the moment. These seem harder than the Ginn books but still seem to progress in a logical fashion.

Should I be concerned that the school seem to have moved her off the reading scheme at the grand age of 5.9, or just go with it?

I'm sure it all varies from school to school. My ds just got his 'rainbow reader' which seems to kick in at about level 10/11 ORT. I thought it was all over.. but no.. I think they are 'rainbow' for a bit and then are assessed in a different scheme. 'Space ship' reading or something!!!!! He is my pfb so all new to me. So I would think that even if your first formal scheme is 'over' she is probably still being assessed for reading in some way.

DS's school have 4 levels after Gold and then free reading. DS is on the 3rd of those levels. TBH I've found the books in the 3 levels very similar in terms of how hard they are to read. Actually I think the level he is on now is easier than the last one!!

The main difference I have noticed is that his current level seems to explore more complex themes e.g bullying, family issues, friendship (some of which go completely over his head but I accept wouldn't for other children of his age) and has more developed story lines. So in terms of reading "harder to decode" books I think it is fair enough not to have a reading scheme beyond this stage. I think though you might want to "vet" the books for the appropriateness of content.

Thanks - OfftoNarnia, am intrigued to know what space ship reading is!
Redskyatnight - think you have a valid point re appropriate books. I'll have a close look at what comes home. The first one appeared quite babyish, but there looked to be a wide variety on the shelf, which seems like a good thing....

Would level 7 seem early to stop for most then?

very early

mrz - do you think that she's missing out by not carrying on through higher levels? If so, what can I do about it? Thanks

Do they have higher levels in Y2 or are they free readers once they reach the end of level 7?

I don't know - they haven't used the term "free reader" as such. I just asked if she'd finished the levels permanently or if level 8 was going to appear at some future time - only to be told there was no level 8. I'm slightly suspicious that dd's teacher is fobbing me off as she doesn't want to have to go and get books from a different classroom for her....

I think the structure of reading scheme books can be helpful for children until they become fluent, confident readers. A child reading at level 7 is doing well but still learning and developing.

To be honest, I think she's probably beyond level 7 seeing as she's happy with gold books from the reading chest. I think I'll read whatever comes home from school with her but keep going with the reading chest too for a while. Thanks for your help.

Our school doesn't seem to go beyond gold(or they didn't with my 3). They have 3 more levels but my dc's teachers seemed to of the same opinion as me that they're all the same,dire and dull as ditch water at a stage when readers should be flying. Personally I think those last 3 stages would put most kids completely off reading for good so op I'd be thankful your school doesn't have them.

At our school they go onto picture books after gold as they want to focus on book talk more at this stage. These seem to vary in difficulty but aren't graded as such. My dd in Y1 finished gold last term and reads whatever she likes alongside a picture book. Her teacher hears her read easy chapter books she chooses and also picture books to keep interest and aid discussion on beginning,middle and end etc. They also obviously do guided reading.

Her school is "outstanding" and I have to say I've been very impressed with the level of reading they produce and the breadth.