I agree with you all so far, and of course, I would be professional and sympathetic in the way that I would communicate.
Main problem is, this class had an awful year last year, supply teachers galore, and not much progression (if any) from their year 2 levels. I'm new to the school and without wanting to blow my own trumpet too much, I have worked so hard and I'm pleased to say the majority have made fantastic progress. Great for me, and for them. I'm very proud of them. I was pretty shocked at how poor they were when I took over.
However, some of the lower ability kids parents have been told previously that their child is doing 'just fine' Personally, i don't feel that being at a level 1/low level 2 in Year 4 is fine at all!!!!
School have told me that under no circumstances am I to discuss 'level's' (or to say, above average, average, below average) and that I should just focus on the positive.
fyi...there are 12 SEN children in my class, with another 8 who are low ability!
I know ALL my kids very well - what interests them, what they do out of school. Know MOST of the parents very well too. Just a bit concerned about say 8 or so children whose parents were told last year that their child was doing 'fine' and actually, I think they're very poor for their age.