Would this concern you ?

[nursiecat]

I went to dd1 yr4 parents evening last night.I was a little surprised when the teacher said that my child can have a chill out year this year because she acheived level 4c for everything in yr 3. Does this mean the school would be happy for her not to progress, just because her levels are currently slightly above average ?

I would be surprised if we were told the same thing. Both of my older children are at the "correct" level or slightly above and there has never been any suggestion of them easing off. Certainly DS1 who us also in yr4 is being pushed harder and harder to keep him challenged.

I would be very if we had heard this at DD's Parent's evening last week.
She is also Yr4, got 4c for reading at end of Yr3 and a bit lower for other things.
I don't want her to be pushed but I do want her to be stretched and motivated and to have fun whilst she is learning.

Actually the more I think about it the more I am feeling.

That would concern me.

Thank you for your responses. I wasn't sure if i was over-reacting in being disappointed with that comment. My dd is at her happiest when she is learning new things. She is not showing any signs of coasting at the moment, but i shall certainly keep an eye out.

I wouldn't be happy, but perhaps we are misunderstanding what they mean. Kids are supposed to go up 2 sub levels in yr 4 so maybe they think she'll do that without too much trouble, rather than meaning as she's 4c she can have a 'year off,' as she'll easily reach 4b or more in yr 6. Hopefully that's what they meant. You'd think theyd be trying to encourage her, those level 5s look so good on their ofsted reports after all!

I would be worried, it sounds as if the teacher will let coast this year and not make her work to her full potential. I would go back and ask what she meant by that, and taking into account her ability what she expects your DD to achieve this year - I would want some detail to be able to see whether she is on target. Couldn't trust that teacher anymore.

I agree that I should have asked what he meant. It could be interpreted in many ways. For all I know, he might just think I am a pushy Mum, who needs to give her kid a break.

Ha nursiecat I was just about to say that very thing!

Your DD won't be encouraged to have a "chill out" year that ultimately means she won't make any progress. The class teacher will have some pretty uncomfortable pupil progress meetings where she has to explain why a higher attaining pupil in her class has made no progress since being in her class, if that is the case.

I'd ask if I were you.

Wouldn't really worry me. My take on it would be perhaps that she worked very hard last year, perhaps to detriment of other things eg social, extra-curricular and he's suggesting maybe she concentrates on other things.

Would depend on how the teacher said it too though. He could have been letting you know she was ahead in a jokey way.

I really hope the school don't think I push dd too much. She does her school reading book the required 4 times a week and hands homework in on time, thats it.

As for after school clubs, she does kickboxing, football and brownies.I think she has a healthy balance and she currently appears happy.

Reading that back i'm starting to think what on earth am I complaining about.She is happy and that is all that matters.

Hi Nursiecat

I think I understand both of your feelings. I'd also be a bit confused and concerned why a high achieving child should just 'have a rest' but also would not be certain it's worth the fight with the school/ teacher or to rock the boat, as otherwise she's happy and she's doing fine in terms of her school work.

However, what I would add is that schools are obliged to provide for gifted pupils. She does need challenges and to be stretched, because if she has a year or more of coasting, it's going to come as a real suprise when she's expected to do more (whether that's at primary or senior school).

However... there are a lot of factors to weigh up. One may be that you will be expecting her to do a lot of prepartory work for the 11+. If school isn't too demanding, you can allow her to focus fairly intensively on preparing for the exam.

Regardless of what you decide, best of luck and do keep challenging and stimulating your clearly extremely bright DD every chance you get!

Thanks again for all your views. This was my first post on mumsnet. I am very grateful for the advice you have given.

Hi PastSellByDate, 11+ exams have never crossed my mind. I don't think they would be an option for us, but I will look into it.

Hi nursiecat

It is worth starting to ask parents about where they are intending to send their DCs to senior school. Especially important for friends of your DD, who most likely will want to be with her friends.

Every area is different, but in some regions some of the grammar schools are free, but only if the pass the 11+ with a high enough score. This may not be an issue where you are - but worth starting to investigate now in Y4.

Nursiecat - if it was me I'd make another appointment to clear things up. I would not want a child having a 'chill' year. I'd want to be absolutely sure she was being stretched to do more and not left coasting. Apart from anything else, if that happens she could get bored and get really turned off school/learning.

I'd be checking it out too - my DD was 4b in writing, 4c in reading and 3a in maths at the end of Yr3 but no-one at her school is suggesting a chillout year at all this year! I don't think you're pushy at all for wanting your bright DD to carry on progressing as she clearly did in Yr 3 - especially as Yr3 is a tough year and doing well in it is a big achievement.

Well, dd came home Friday saying she had been moved down two reading groups.I gently asked if she knew why (she was very upset) she said the teacher told her it was because she is a good role model to children who are struggling a little. I have booked an appointment for Monday.

nursiecat that is outrageous! Your DD is not a teacher, it is not her job to pull struggling children along - she should be learning at a pace that moves her forward from where she is now.

Having said the above I would not go in all guns blazing but I'd just go in calmly saying 'DD told me that...' in neutral tones.

Then if teacher actually confirms that this is the case, I'd be pointing out how completely inappropriate this is and that you will be taking it further.

I'd also at that point start looking at other schools.

I wouldn't be able to in all guns blazing even if I wanted to, I'm very shy.I will however, do my best to sort this out for dd.

I'm really sad to be considering other schools as I have never had to go in with concerns before and the Head teacher is fab

Thanks again for your advice.

I'm pleased you have booked an appointment for Monday. Is it just with her class teacher or the HoY/HT as well?

I don't think you need to consider other schools simply because of one teacher. If the HT is as fab as you say then it should be possible to get it sorted out.

Appointment is with teacher only. I wouldn't like to go higher until i have given the teacher a chance.

Hopefully its just one, or two big misunderstandings. I have to remember, even though i was a bit shocked at parents evening, dd was happy and content in this class until Friday.

Hi nursiecat:

I think chipping and pointy may be right. You do need to raise this with the teacher and I see that you are going to see your DDs teacher soon.

What I would say is that schools are obliged to provide for 'gifted' children. IMO if a school is using a child to teach other children it isn't any good for the child and it is rather lazy teaching.

Given what is now happening, I would go through with the teacher why she feels a 'chill' year and helping struggling learners will be of educational benefit to your daughter. Don't be fobbed off with this is good for her socially answers. The question is how is this good for her educational development.

The government's own handout on homework and what should happen at school says: 'If children are working a long way above or below the expected level, the school must provide extra support.' You can download the document here - quote is from So what happens at school? section www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/HelpingYourChildToLearn/DG_185973

I am afraid that if the teacher isn't particularly helpful, I would recommend you raise this with the head. What I will say is that some schools move children working at a higher level up a year for certain subjects. So a child otherwise working at Y3, but working Y4 in maths, would join Y4 everyday for their maths lesson. It would simply require that both classes offer maths at approximately the same time. The other possibility is that the forms at your DDs school may be differentiated and perhaps she should be moved to a more challenging form.

If no joy, follow procedure. Talk to head. If nothing is done, then I suggest you formally complain to governors and then LEA. This is essential because this is visible to OFSTED - and surprisingly enough helps concentrates minds.

Every child is entitled to an education and that includes your daughter.

... and also remember that just because DD was happy, it doesn't mean she was doing appropriate work for her level. She needs a teacher who will work to her level and take her further, not one who is happy to have her coast and give her the responsibility of helping others. Helping others learn is a valuable lesson as it teachers her all kinds of things, but not at the cost of her doing level appropriate work.

You are all being incredibly helpful, and thanks for the link.

My dd goes to the year above for maths as none of her peers are at her level.

Teacher says there are 4 other children around the same level for literacy and reading, so doesn't need to go to year above, which is obviously fine by me.

What I don't understand is why she has been moved down two groups for reading, I suppose there is a possibility that dd got this wrong.

It has never been suggested that dd is gifted, only top in her year group for maths and top 3 for literacy.

Meeting did not go well. Teacher says it doesn't matter what group she is in as she will achieve 4a by the end of the year anyway.

When i asked what he meant regarding the chill out year comment he said he just felt she needed to relax more.

My dd also needs to toughen up apparently. Appointment with Head booked for Friday.

That is shocking!