Year 1 levels

[appropriatelytrained]

I have just had an interim report for DS2. He started a new school in November in Y1.

He had finished his reception year at levels 8-9 for all his subjects.

I home educated from Sept - Nov as we looked for a new school.

This is the first time we have had a report/feedback.

His levels are: 1b for reading, writing and science and 1c for numeracy.

We have a parents eve next week so I can raise it there, but, I was a little surprised at the numeracy grade in particular as his last school had said he was very good at this.

I don't want to get too anxious as he is so young and it is more important that he has settled well. Also, I have an older son with SEN so I have done my fair share of worrying about grades etc.

I just felt a bit disappointed and confused. Is 1c ok at this stage? What is a child supposed to be able to do to achieve that? He knows all his number bonds to 10 and his shapes and can write 1-20 and back.

Sorry if I am fussing. I don't want to raise it if I'm just being anxious but I suppose the last school had me thinking he was doing really well and this seems to be not so positive.

We are in Wales, so things are a little different to England, but for us this document is fairly helpful. We have foundation phase to the end of yr 2 (foundation phase outcome 6, we use different numbers to England), so at the end of yr 1 should have completed foundation phase outcome 5, this states...
Foundation Phase Outcome 5
Children choose the appropriate operation when solving addition or subtraction problems. They use mental calculation strategies to solve number, money and measure problems. They count sets of objects reliably, and use mental recall of number facts to 10 to add or subtract larger numbers. They order numbers up to 100. They identify and use halves and quarters in practical situations. They use everyday non-standard and standard units to measure length and mass. They talk about their work using familiar mathematical language, and represent it using symbols and simple diagrams. They recognise sequences of numbers. They distinguish between straight and turning movements; recognise half turns and quarter turns and right angles in turns. When they have gathered information, they record their results in simple lists, tables, diagrams and block graphs. They sort objects and classify them using more than one criterion.

DD's school say that the expected level for this stage of Y1 is P8/1c. So he's doing well there.

IIRC the Early years criteria for maths were very basic - there is quite a jump up to Level 1.

Also, bear in mind that as he's not been at the school for long, the teacher might simply not have had the opportunity to assess him in every area (maths is normally taught in blocks of a paticular area so he might not have "done" some blocks at this school) and his level is lower to reflect this.

I too am very confused about levels! What 'should' they be achieving by the end of Y1? DD1 is 5 and her mid-year scores are 1a for maths, 3b for reading and 2b for everything else. Her teacher suggested extra maths tuition, but I don't want to go down that route at this age. I thought 1a was fine - but then I'm not a teacher!

2b is national average for end of Y2.
Good progress in KS1 is 3 levels a year so 1b at the end of Y1 would give 2b at the end of Y2.
1a at the end of Y1 should lead to 2a at the end of Y2 which is higher than average.

2b is national average for end of Y2.
Good progress in KS1 is 3 levels a year so 1b at the end of Y1 would give 2b at the end of Y2.
1a at the end of Y1 should lead to 2a at the end of Y2 which is higher than average.

I think you mean 3 SUB-levels a year, crazygracieuk

Thanks everyone - that is great. Really helpful and appreciated.

Hi appropriatelytrained:

MN Learning page has info on national curriculum levels/ expectations here: www.mumsnet.com/learning/assessment/national-curriculum-levels with a discussion of what the levels mean here: www.mumsnet.com/learning/assessment/what-national-curriculum-levels-mean

According to the MN Learning pages on progress through the levels: www.mumsnet.com/learning/assessment/progress-through-national-curriculum-levels - end of year 1 one would expect performance at around NC Level 1a - so half-way through the year, your DS is on target.

Hope that helps.

2b is average bit not for the end of the year. 2b is average at SATS time so therefore to achieve that children need to be at 1a by the end of y1.