I know I shouldn't worry....these darn levels

[pigsinmud]

Dd1 is in year 4 and has just got 3a for maths & writing. Reading is 4b. At the end of year 2 she got level 3s and at the end of year 3 she got 3b for both.
I hate these levels, because now I feel slightly concerned that her progress seems slow. Also, I can easily compare her to the progress made by her older brothers!
Is this a normal progress line? The report was lovely and she enjoys school.
You can now all shout at me. Dh thinks I'm worrying about nothing. I'm not exactly worrying, just wondering why her progress has slowed.

My mother (retired primary teacher) always says children's learning is not linear - they can plateau for quite a bit then something will click and they'll jump forward. She's not fond of these levels because she says they foster the sort of concerns you have now. As long as a child is trying to the best of their ability, then in mum's opinion, they're doing fine.

I realise that my mother is not the God of Education but perhaps you shouldn't be too concerned about it, unless this pattern continues on through the next term or so of year 5. If you're happy with the standard of teaching, the teachers feel she is trying her best and she is happy at school, then she's doing well!

Oh, and looking more closely at her levels, it seems like it's her maths and writing that's are the lower levels - have the school suggested anything specific? My (yr 4) DD1's numeracy teacher has asked that we do some mental maths with her - times tables, simple arithmetic at the shops for example - as it is her speed of thought that's holding her back in maths. She needs to be able to speed up her mathematical thinking, so practice is what's needed, and we can help her with that.

Problem for us is, DD2 is very good and maths and DD1 gets frustrated when her younger sister can do the mental arithmetic faster! We're dealing with DD2's smugness...

I agree its not a linear process. This is just one of the problems of using the levels. However, do keep an eye on her and speak to next years teacher if you're concerned, just to keep on eye on progress.

Your mum is indeed a God, Poledra! I know you are both right. I wish we weren't given them. The school can know, but why do they have to tell us! She is happy, works hard and a little helpful angel at school, so I shouldn't worry.

My dh is a musician and teaches in a few schools. He says the same progress can be slow, then jumps, then slows or vice versa.

Dd1 was disappointed that she got the same for maths & writing as she thinks she is much better at writing...tbh I was surprised!

Ha ha - we have the same Poledra. I give dd1 a few quick arithmetic questions and dd2 answers them first! She is lacking in confidence and speed when answering simple maths questions.

I'm not sure if you'll find the following chart reassuring or not, however it has a grid showing which levels are expected, beyond expected and exceptional, by year.

From the chart it looks like your DD was beyond the expected level in Y2, then within the expected level for Y3 and for Y4 she is within the expected level for maths and writing and beyond it for reading. Here is the link:
www.staveley.cumbria.sch.uk/documents/NCLevels.pdf

Thank you tired. I suppose I expected her to stay in the beyond expectations block.