Marking work

[MarkingTime]

Have name-changed to avoid outing myself...

I am getting increasingly cross concerned about how little of DS's work is marked (particularly maths).

A bit of background-DS is in Y5 at a small, private, non-selective primary. There are 14 DC in his class and they are placed in 2 sets for maths and English. DS is in top sets and there are 8 children in each.

In maths they spent most of the last half-term on fractions. The teacher produces her own booklets for this and there are about 70 questions on each topic (adding/subtracting fractions, converting fractions etc). The DC work at their own pace through these in class and for homework. DS maths is relatively strong so he has now completed 4 of these booklets-but none have been marked.

The teacher clearly favours peer-marking. Hardly any work is taken in, marked and handed back (in fact, now I come to think of it I don't think I have ever seen her handwriting) and as his class teacher she also teaches DS Science and Geography. Any ticks/crosses I have seen on DS work have clearly been made by him/a classmate.

The thing is, unless I look at his work (particularly the maths) how will he know if he has grasped the concepts and is doing it correctly? Or how accurate he is? Surely it should be marked by the teacher pretty regularly?

Should I raise this with her? She is getting on a bit a very experienced teacher and pretty unapproachable. She seems very defensive and is basically unwilling to discuss her methods. She has also told the children that if their parents come in to 'complain' about anything she will be cross.

Thoughts? Particularly from other teachers?

Why are you paying for this? Go in and complain.

Good question...

I thought one advantage of private education was 'he who pays the piper plays the tune' and if they don't let you, you can vote with your feet. Unlike the state school where you might not get the choice-(but where they would at least mark the work).

I would be worried about:

• The focus on a single area of maths for such a long period
• the lack of proper teaching represented by 'working through booklets at their own pace'
• the lack of variety of teaching and learning methods represented by this deadly dull approach to maths

as well as by the lack of marking. What on earth are you paying for?? All but the very weakest of state schools would be better, and even the weakest would only be worse because of the potential level of disruption in lessons, rather that the quality of the teaching and learning (that kind of teaching approach, in the schools I have been involved with, would rapidly lead to so very hard questions from leadership team and probably competency proceedings).

To the head with you. If the head regards it as acceptable practice, find another school.

You are right but it's a long story and I'd out myself if I told it. We were going to move him out in Y4 but received reassurances that things were going to improve. Unfortunately they haven't. We are living proof that private education is not automatically better than state.

I just wanted to check that I wasn't being unreasonable regarding the marking really.

I would guess (hope?) that although she is not writing on the work, she is looking at it fairly regularly and is aware of which children are flying through the work and which may need extra support. Perhaps she is more likely to put a comment when they don't get a concept and doesn't feel the need to do so when they've got it?

However, even if this is the case I don't in any way agree with what she is doing. At the absolute minimum she should be glancing through the work and slapping on a sticker, or a tick and 'Good'. Children need some encouragement. Plus, if your DS is getting everything correct he should be challenged more.

I work in a fairly average state school and there's no way in the world we'd allowed to get away with this.

I would definitely speak to the teacher, there may be factors you're not aware of- maybe she keeps records elsewhere, or gives regular verbal feedback? But if not, then I'd be speaking to the Head.

Thanks Teacher. I know, it's pretty rubbish isn't it? I've already spoken to the head who seems unwilling/unable to do anything about it

I agree with everything that teacherwith2kids said.

Marking, I presume that you're on a term's notice? So make it your mission between now and Christmas to find a better school (frankly, walk into any state primary rated 'Satisfactory' and above and you would get better teaching than your son is currently receiving), hand in your notice at Christmas and move your son for the summer term of year 5 and then year 6. Don't leave it to the end of the year - secondary school choices (state at least) have to be in in October in many areas so a term to get the feel of who goes where, what the best options are etc from the new school would be beneficial.

Or if you want to go privatre for secondary, identify the secondary you want, find out its most common feeder schools and see if you can get your son into one of those ASAP.

Or if you were thinking of doing 13+ entry from his current school to a private secondary - just find an alternative private prep school OR go state for year 6 and transfer into private again at 11 as many prep schools open extra classes at 11+ for children who are transferring from state schools or private primaries.

If the head thinks that this is acceptable then there is no saying what is going on in other lessons too. Take your money and walk.

We are living proof that private education is not automatically better than state

It is a big mistake to think it is-both the private and state sector have the entire range from excellent to dire. I think that it just gets hidden by small classes.

Thank you teacher. You are right and we have considered moving him many times. I think now we have to act.

Exotic fruits - exactly.