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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

IEP's just for those struggling?

31 replies

servingwench · 02/07/2013 17:20

Hello, just had dd's report. She is in Year 3 and her levels are 4C+-4B across all subjects. The information with report states expected level at year 6 is 4 preferably B. Should I be concerned....is it quite standard to get the levels she has in Y3? I'm not a pushy mother but just want to ensure she reaches her potential and wondered if school should be doing anything specific to assist.
Many thanks

OP posts:

Jinsei · 02/07/2013 17:26

I don't understand your issue. Obviously her levels are very good for year 3 but don't think they are exceptional. The school is clearly allowing her to work at an appropriate level. What's the problem?

Original poster

servingwench · 02/07/2013 17:31

I didn't say they were exceptional! I said the information given in the report indicates she is working at year 6 level. I'm asking whether I should expect anything else from school...if she was working 3 years below her age group I'm sure there would be additional assistance....

OP posts:

spanieleyes · 02/07/2013 18:00

The school are doing something specific to assist, they are helping her to achieve her potential! If she stays at the same levels for the next two years that's a worry, but not that they have encouraged her to achieve the levels she has!

PatriciaHolm · 02/07/2013 18:00

You should be expecting them to differentiate work for those working at different levels, which it would appear they are doing. Does she complain of having too easy work or being bored? Is she making progress over where she was last year? If she is, then they are doing what they should be. There seems no need for an IEP.

Jinsei · 02/07/2013 18:03

But if she is working at Year 6 level, what additional assistance do you think she needs. Are you saying that, actually, she should be working at a higher level than this, and if so, what makes you think this?

If she has been allowed to progress through to year 6 levels while still in year 3, that implies that she is already being taught over and above the bare minimum for her age group, so I still don't see the issue.

Original poster

servingwench · 02/07/2013 18:08

I don't know what if anything to expect. If do nothing is the right thing, that's what I'll do! Yes she has progressed and I think I have faith that she will continue to do so. Progression gets slower in the 4's right?

OP posts:

Sprink · 02/07/2013 18:14

Does your school have a specific G&T program, or is this all down to good differentiation in classes?

Neither is the right answer, by the way, but I tend to go with those who ask if she's bored or just whizzing through, i.e., not challenged.

If she's happy and challenged, great. If she's a natural achiever yet unchallenged and/or coasting-with-attitude, ask a few questions.

olibeansmummy · 02/07/2013 18:15

School probably are doing something to stretch her or she wouldn't be doing so well. They will be differentiating the work in class. There's no need for anything as formal as an IEP.

spanieleyes · 02/07/2013 18:21

Progression CAN slow down through the 4's, simply because the curriculum continues to broaden and there is more that a child needs to be able to do to move onto the next sub-level or level. I also find that the jump from 4 to 5 is a difficult one, many children "stall" at 4A for a while. Personally I think that this is because to be level 5/6 you need to develop a "feel" for the subject and an intuitive understanding of topics rather than perhaps rote learning.

Original poster

servingwench · 02/07/2013 18:25

Hello, school does identify G&T and have done so with her...however so far this has enabled us to pay for her to attend some one off G&T subject specific days run by the LA!
I think I'm just shocked that essentially (as I see it) she has done what she has to do at primary school and still has 3 years left. My mind races away and I panic about starting secondary school and where she may be level wise by that point. I'd hate for her to be doing any GCSE's early but I also don't want her coasting or bored. I am happy, obviously but just a bit

OP posts:

Feenie · 02/07/2013 18:28

I think I'm just shocked that essentially (as I see it) she has done what she has to do at primary school and still has 3 years left

That's silly - there is no ceiling at primary school. Level 6 papers in Y6 are available, and teacher assessment can go even higher.

Ashoething · 02/07/2013 18:31

Stealth boast When you do have a child who genuinely needs an IEP as mine does then you have something to worry about.

Original poster

servingwench · 02/07/2013 18:31

Thanks Feenie...that isn't explained in the report! Presumably they are "streamed" at secondary school so they don't have to repeat things they have already done. I don't work in teaching or have experience with older children so this is all new to me...

OP posts:

Floggingmolly · 02/07/2013 18:35

She has done what she has to do at primary school.
Level 4 is the average expected of an average child in Year 6.
Very many children achieve Level 5 & 6 at Year 6. She will most certainly not be twiddling her thumbs for the next three years...

Jinsei · 02/07/2013 18:37

I think you're getting too hung up on the idea that level 4b is the "expected" level at the end of year 6. Loads of kids get level 5s at the end of primary school - quite a significant percentage at our school - and there will always be a smaller number who exceed this. Our school has a few kids with level 6s each year.

There will inevitably be some children significantly ahead for their age (and some significantly behind) but I think most schools are geared up to cater for this. It sounds like you're overthinking things to me - just relax and be pleased that she is doing so well. :)

my2bundles · 02/07/2013 18:44

I agree with Ashoething, as the mother of a child with genuine special needs who has had to battle and jump thro hoops just to get an IEP and the support my child needs i find your post very insensitive.

ClayDavis · 02/07/2013 18:45

It used to be the level the average child was expected to achieve, Floggingmolly, somewhere along the line it changed to be the expected level. I don't think it's that silly for parents to think that a child has achieved what they have to do at the end of primary school once they reach level 4. Particularly if the school hasn't done a particularly good job of explaining how they assess.

In term of an IEP, it depends on the school. Some do give an IEP for G&T some don't. If the work she's being set is at the level she's working at and is challenging her (and it sounds as though it might be) then you don't really need it.

juniper9 · 02/07/2013 18:47

4C or 4B is not that unusual in Year 3. I always get a couple of children working at these levels. Last year, half of year 3 were level 4 on the QCA paper.

The G&T initiative was cancelled by Gove, so schools don't have to record which children count. Part of a teacher's job, however, is to ensure the progression of every child in their care.

The expected progress from the end of Year 3 to Year 6 is 4 or 5 sub-levels, meaning your daughter would be a 5b/5a ish by the end of year 6. Seeing as lots of schools enter children for the level 6 paper, there's no reason she'd be working outside of the norm.

Feenie · 02/07/2013 18:47

It used to be the level the average child was expected to achieve, Floggingmolly, somewhere along the line it changed to be the expected level.

That would be David Blunkett - interesting article here

spanieleyes · 02/07/2013 18:49

I do think it IS a little silly to assume that a school will let a child sit for the next 3 years just twiddling his/her thumbs as soon as they have achieved the magical 4B ( especially if the school was instrumental in ensuring they achieved that level in the first place!)

Original poster

servingwench · 02/07/2013 18:51

Thank you ClayDavis and juniper9 for your helpful replies. Sorry for those I have offended, I didn't intend to and I wasn't here to boast, just wanted others advice.

OP posts:

spanieleyes · 02/07/2013 18:52

Good progress ( which schools need to aim for) is 2 sub levels a year, so a child working at 4b at the end of year 3 should be aiming for 5c at the end of year 4, 5A at the end of year 5 and 6B at the end of year 6. ( Not saying they will get there but schools need to be aiming for those levels!)

Original poster

servingwench · 02/07/2013 19:01

Thanks, spanieleyes. Glad I made a knob of myself on here, rather than in school! I will just watch and see where it goes

OP posts:

spanieleyes · 02/07/2013 19:05

Schools are weird and wonderful places and sometimes I think teachers do forget that parents simply don't know what to expect, what to us is just normal-ie children are targeted to make progress each year whatever the level they are working at-can seem mystifying to parents!
( Having spent much of yesterday evening tracking progress across KS2 for different groups of children, I can assure you that progress is as important as achievement, heaven help you if a child doesn't make progress every year!

Wellthen · 02/07/2013 19:14

Aside from the MASSIVE and not so stealthy stealth boast, I guess what the OP is trying to say is should her daughter be differentiated for as a high level/gifted and talented child.

Of course she should and I'm sure the teacher is doing so. Unless you have reason to believe the teacher isn't, stop worrying.

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