Yes...another levels question

[wheresthebeach]

One for the teachers please...
Several of us parents, when raising concern with our DC's school about slow progress, have been told not to worry as the school is 'very conservative' with levels.
Any ideas what this might actually mean as the teacher just keeps repeating it.

It means nothing because the levels are a bit made up anyway. (imho).

I bet someone will reckon that the school keeps down its y2 results so that the y6 progress looks more impressive.

It's year 4 so can't be that. Looking back at year 2 levels there's going to have to be some pretty impressive leaps if they're going to hit 2 full levels progress by end of year 6.

Well, it's highly likely to come back and bite them on the backside, because Ofsted and SIPs (School Improvement Partners from County) don't like erring on the side of caution either. They expect levels to be sound, with no game-playing.

We are due an ofsted - guess it will be next year now so be interesting to see if they pick it up.

Any teachers out there with insight?
Only one sub level each year for the past two years yet the school aren't worried...

Disclaimer - I'm not a teacher.

Apart from levels achieved, schools are also measured on progress made. So, IMCO (in my cynical opinion) if the student's current level is under-estimated then it's easier to show significant progress later on.

Year 4 levels are the next most important year in terms of significance of levels. Our Head goes through them with a fine toothcomb, checking they're all on track. Anyone who "only" made 1/3 level progress in Year 3 is under particular scrutiny if they're not looking like making 2/3 in Yr 4.If a child made 2/3 in Yr 3, then she'd be more relaxed about 1/3 the next. We might be talking about intervention strategies for Yr 5, although it shouldn't really pop up as a surprise at the end of the year, as flags should have been waving throughout, as Teacher Assessments are done each term.

Well, levelling is a complicated process (not made up, as another poster claimed ).

They probably mean that when a child is borderline between two sub-levels they award them the lowest rather than optimistically awarding them the higher level because that's what they want them to have. Sometimes I award children a lower level because I just want a BIT more independent work and evidence from them.

However, if a significant number of children are not making enough progress that may be a concern. Ofsted should investigate the levels and progress when they visit, though some cohorts are weaker academically than others.

The utter lack of warning is a concern as is their lack of concern. I have a meeting next week to get done answers. It's an outstanding school so you'd think they would flag it during the year....