End of KS1 levels 3C, 3B, 3A - given out? How unusual?

[NorhamGardens]

Do state schools ever differentiate the different tiers in level 3? Ours seems to, which I thought was unusual and a bit surprising? It was verbally after an open afternoon we had.

We seem to have some that have been given level 3B as a target for end of Y2 and others that are on target for a 3C etc.

How unusual is it that a child achieves a 3B or 3A in any area at the end of KS1?

I'm afraid it doesn't work that way in reality Indigo progress is often measured over a KS rather than a year

Mrz - I was being sarcastic!

If progress is measured over the whole KS it still wouldn't give them any reason at all to deliberately grade kids low in Y1 as lovecheese and mumoverbored think happens.....

Oh, lighten up, I wasn't being serious!

It's nearly wine time. Chill.

The only time it would be advantageous to a school to deliberately give low levels would be in Y2 ~(and then someone would question it externally)

I only say it as I've 'heard' it happens sometimes and it wouldn't surprise me.
But I'm open to the idea that's an urban myth!

I stand by the idea it seems odd the levels are so low. Maybe just a cautious teacher?

Sorry lovecheese. It's hard to tell on these forums when people were being serious and when they weren't.

My two were both level 3 at end of ks1 and level 5 at end of ks2. Now I've got one doing GCSEs and the other AS levels and they're pretty average. So don't get too excited about above average results in primary school!

I have 2 children in secondary, 2 in primary

IIRC my 3 eldest got fairly average scores by the end of KS1 2bs a couple of 2As and a 3 or so

By year 5 they are flying - DS1 did GCSEs last year all A*s and As
DS2 is doing 2 early GCSEs this year (year 10) and also on target to sweep the board
DS3 is in year 5 primary and graded in December at level 5s numeracy, reading and a 4a in writing
DD is year 2 (end of KS1) and at 2b and 2c

so what I'm clumsily saying is early primary means very little for future secondary

Your post is reassuring to me with children just starting out. I'm curious to know what you believe is behind the success for your kids as they move through school. Thanks

I have no sage advice, can't think why it worked for us.

If I think of it we're fairly calm and relaxed, both DP and I are well-educated (well DP more as he has his phd but I'm still, supposedly, working on mine) so value education intrinsically - but have always told our kids that it's happiness that counts

We have never bothered about pushing our kids when they're young, both DP and I believe that British education has it wrong with their SATs grading (now less prominent thank god) and obectives - we felt they should enjoy school so would let them come home and be kids - they have all been fairly late to reading fluently ie year 3 in the main and reluctant readers until about 10 or so which only bothered us with the eldest but not with the others

We've always had them do their homework alone, we'll check or provide materials but won't do it for them or with them - they also aren't allowed on PCs or any comp gaming until it's done on a Sat morning (this is for primary ones only - homework changes at the end of primary and in secondary to a daily thing with a planner).

DS1 is a self-starter, quite proud and stubborn - I think DS2 and 3 are quite competitive with him - there is a certain amount of pushing for position - they are also more mature than might be expected as they are aware that due to a med condition there's a chance I might not be around by the time they are adults

We did make them all start to learn a musical instrument from 6, 2 from 8 and remind them on daily practice to begin with but then expect it

We let them fail if they don't put the effort in (the older ones), and let the teachers know that they should notice and comment on this. It is bloody hard letting your kids fail and keeping quiet but it's a far better lesson than not doing it.