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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

Am I allowed to know my kids National Curriculum levels?

21 replies

wattogirl · 18/07/2013 17:07

DS1 is Yr 3 and DS2 is Yr1. We were told the KS1 SATS results for DS1 and would like to know the levels this year so that we can track his progress. He is also changing schools so would like to ensure he maintains progress after the transition. His teacher has refused to give me the levels. Can she do this?

DS2 teacher is finding out if she is allowed to give me the levels.

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gazzalw · 18/07/2013 17:15

At DD's primary school they give SATS levels every year which enable you to see if they are on track (or not!).

Hopefully there won't be a problem with getting the levels for your DCs!

Good luck!

Loueytb3 · 18/07/2013 17:40

Watching with interest as I asked a similar question last week. DS2's yr1 teacher said she'd have to ask the HT. I'm still waiting for a response.

Original poster

wattogirl · 18/07/2013 17:51

Yes I see (from MN!) that many schools give out the levels every year, which was why I was a bit taken aback when they said we couldn't have them.

I have heard Freedom Of Information Act mentioned, but not sure of the details?

OP posts:

soapboxqueen · 18/07/2013 18:09

I think it might actually be data protection act as personal information isn't covered by freedom of information, I think.

Original poster

wattogirl · 18/07/2013 19:49

ok - thank you. Data protection act makes sense

OP posts:

MrButtercat · 18/07/2013 19:50

You are entitled to see any data school has on your child,even their file.

Ours doesn't give out any levels but I ask for my 3's levels whenever I feel like it which is just as well given one made dreadful progress last year which had been flagged up but nobody thought to tell me.

I am sure I am top of the parent black list but it isn't a popularity contest.

Loueytb3 · 23/07/2013 08:14

So I got a message from HT yesterday to say she won't be giving out the levels. Am cross. I am going to try and ring her today to find out why, especially given that we are entitled to them.

simpson · 23/07/2013 08:22

Put the request in writing.

Loueytb3 · 23/07/2013 08:40

It has already been put in an email to his class teacher. Do I need to write a formal letter??

LadyLech · 23/07/2013 09:43

Yes, you are entitled to them. My old head refused to allow me to see the, until I threatened a subject access request, and then I got them within minutes.

Just phone the head, and say that your're really sorry she is refusing to allow you to know your child's own levels, and could she please tell you the name of the lead governor, so that you can send your written request for a subject access request in that afternoon. Also ask how much they charge for this, but you're more than happy to pay, and that you expect to have your child's information as is your legal right within the next 15 days.

I expect you'll have the levels by the end of the day. A subject access request is a real pita for them - they have to give you all the information about your child. It's amazing how quick they back down once you mention this! One of my friends last year told me I didn't need to do this to get my levels - yet, I got mine she didn't get hers. Like you, I had genuine concerns about my DDs progress, and so just wanted to track how she was getting on. It certainly worked for me.

www.belb.org.uk/downloads/foi_overview_freedom_of_information_and_data_protection_acts.pdf

LadyLech · 23/07/2013 09:49

This is better, it sets out your rights. You can even include it in your email if you're feeling brave

www.ico.org.uk/for_organisations/sector_guides/~/media/documents/library/Data_Protection/Detailed_specialist_guides/technical_guidance_note_access_to_pupils_information_held_by_schools_in_england.ashx

NumptyNu · 23/07/2013 10:20

Very interesting. Does this information begin to be documented in Year 1 or in Reception?

Loueytb3 · 23/07/2013 10:31

Thank you ladylech - that's really helpful. I don't want to threaten them, but it does seem ridiculous that they won't give them when asked. I am going to print out and read before I call the school. I know two of the governors, and they I am sure will be most interested in this...

tiredbutnotweary · 23/07/2013 11:40

I am also interested in the reception question - I don't think it used to apply however some of the new early learning goals are at NC levels e.g. Maths and writing, so there's an overlap that didn't exist before unless a child was exceeding and working beyond the EYFS (i.e. point 9 on the old profile).

From other threads it seems that at least some reception parents are getting NC levels (at least for Maths and Literacy).

My question is, if a school has made an assessment against NC levels because they think a child is exceeding an early learning goal, do they have to provide you with the information? Do they only have to provide it if it is written down (on paper or electronically) for example?

Also the 15 days refers to 15 school days, so I don't think they'd need to provide the information until September?

LadyLech · 23/07/2013 12:33

Yeah, it is 15 school days - but in my experience, they'll do anything to avoid a subject access request, so will give you the NC levels just to avoid the SAR.

You can apply for a SAR at any time of your child's time at school. Hopefully, you won't need it. When I had to threaten it for my DD1, my DD2 was in reception, and they already have a legal obligation (or did, last year) to give you their levels (although I didn't ask for NC levels - I just got the foundation stage ones, plus reading and spelling ages etc). I only had to ask and was given them straight away - despite it being the same school.

Itsjustafleshwound · 23/07/2013 12:38

I stand corrected if this is not the case, but as far as I aware the KS1 SAT results are not really comparable to the SATscores for Yr3 (we have Infant and Primary school situation) ... Some parenst were a vit miffed that there was little Yr3 progress (result at end of Yr3 same as KS1 result) but the teachers explained that the results different/better.

Loueytb3 · 23/07/2013 13:00

Just spoken to HT. She's backed down, after first saying that we weren't really entitled to them in Yr1. I mentioned subject access request and she is going to ask the teacher to give them to me . She is concerned about opening the floodgates.

LadyLech · 23/07/2013 13:40

Glad to see it worked Louey

FieldsOfCorn · 23/07/2013 13:50

Do you know if this also applies to the Y1 Phonics Screening Test results, my child didn't pass and II would like to know which sounds my child struggled with so I can pay extra attention to them when reading. I have asked for a copy of the test but I'm not holding out much hope.

simpson · 23/07/2013 20:44

I don't think you need the actual test to help your child with sounds that they are weaker on.

I would be asking the teacher which sounds your child needs more practise on and make up words myself.

EdPsych · 25/07/2013 15:03

Levels mean nothing without teacher training, INSET training and the experience and moderation of how these levels present themselves from a range of individual learners.

Perhaps it would be more useful to look these articles up instead:
smhp.psych.ucla.edu/pdfdocs/guiding/contents.pdf

Simply ignite your child's imagination and then answer your child's questions:

"teachers" ...people who did not tell--they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprang wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable." John Steinbeck

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