How to ask for DD to be moved to higher set in maths?

[Corriewatcher]

DD (aged 8) scored a 3A in the optional SATS at the end of year 3 and has always been graded as above average in the subject in a school that had results consistently above the national average. In September, she moved to a new school to start year 4, and after a couple of weeks, they split all the children into 3 maths sets. We weren?t told which set was high or low, but it turns out from what the other mums and from what DD says herself that she has been put in the lowest set. She thinks it?s great as she whips through the homework in 5 minutes and keeps winning all the mental maths tests, even when her set joined forces with the middle one. I?m not so happy, as I can see her just coasting along.
I?m not under the illusion that DD?s a maths prodigy, but I thought 3A was a pretty good score. I doubt the children are that much cleverer than the ones she left behind at her old school. So the middle set I could understand, but not the lowest one. She is a very quiet child (well, in class at least!), so maybe they just overlooked her?
I?ve asked to see the maths teacher to discuss DD?s maths progress. But how best to basically say that I think they assessed her incorrectly at the start of September and could they move her to a harder set? I don?t want to come across as uber-pushy mum (I?m basically a bit of a pussy cat most of the time, honest!), but I also don?t want to see DD not make the progress she could do this year. Any words of wisdom?

You say something like "DD seems able to do the homework in 5 minutes without having to put any effort in, and from what she says she's winning all the mental maths tests. Could you reassess her and look into whether she ought to be in a different set please?"

Most teachers will be fine if you ask them to look into something, but less so if you tell them what they have to do, as it comes across that you are criticising them.

But asking them to look into it shows that you respect their judgement, but have noticed something you wanted to bring to their attention. Much more positive!

I would listen to what the teacher has to say and ask her the reasons for your DD being in the group she is in, they may have concerns in some areas of maths that they are currently working on so she is being supported more now but will change groups when they move on to another topic or she may have made a good friend who is in that group and as she's new they are keeping them together for a few weeks. Once you know their reasons if you still don't think that she is in the right group tell them what you have seen her do at home, or in the previous school, and ask them how you can work together to help her lift her work to that level in their school. Instead of questioning their decisions which could lead to them thinking your being pushy approach it from the point of view that you are worried that her work level has sliped and can they advise you on how to help her show them what she is really capable of. This will make them look at her again and maybe reasses her to another group without you looking like a demading mother.

My dad was really good at this when me and my brother and sister were at school, he always got what he wanted but he never fell out with anyone

The 3A could have been the top they score at your old school but not the top at the new, which might cause them to look disfavourably on her, perhaps? However I think it's unlikely by that she would be in the bottom group by that unless the score, for some reason, wasn't accurate.

Dd1 scored a 4B in the year 3 SATS. Because they didn't say what the top score achievable, we found some parents assuming their dc had got the top score available with 3A. (quite logical conclusion from what they'd written) When they setted some of the 3As were not in the top group and this did cause some parents to question why.

I think freddy's suggestions are really good. It could just be that at her other school she's missed out on some concept that they've been doing at the new school so appears not to understand, when she's missed out on the basics.

In my experience of having moved the dcs school and in general its worth just explaining it as you've done here. They usually say they'll have a look at her and within a couple of weeks she'll be moved up.

Many thanks for the great tips, especially Mum in Scotland and Freddy. Will do s you say. AS I don't know the teacher and vice-versa, I just don't want to get off on the wrong foot. Thanks again