My child's not doing Level 6 Maths

[BatmanLovesGBBO]

In a real quandary about this. She's able, but very stubborn about writing her working down (went for Asperger's assessment for various reasons, has many aspects but doctor said she's 'eccentric' , rather than full dx ), so doesn't necessarily show what she's capable of at school.

She's just started Year 6. I know she can do many Level 6 questions, because she's always nicking the photocopied ones I bring home (am a Year 6 teacher) and buggering off with them. The ones she can't, are because she hasn't been taught the skills.

What is making this complicated is that I used to teach at her school, so know the teachers personally, and don't want them to feel I'm questioning their professional judgement. I know that they will have thought hard about who to enter. And at the end of the day, it's two extra tests, for what? Only the school benefits (apart from the extra skills DD would learn).

WWYD?

is she bored and needs a challenge? then approach the school on that basis

i dont understand why any parent thinks that learning nothing new at all for a year is acceptable. not you op, but some of the 'oh it doesnt make a difference' posters. once they get to a good level 5 the previous year, theres nothing much more to learn spread out over a full academic yesr, if they stay at level 5 work

if not level 6 work, at least something more interesting than level 5 again

Yes, I do know that the deadline for the entry of names is March, but schools often choose the children for the L6 groupings early on, as there is not a lot of time to get used to the L6 style questions between then and May!

She does like a challenge, and I think part of the problem might also be that her writing aspect of English is average at best. Has great vocabulary and ideas, but execution is poor. I sometimes wonder if that has an impact of perceptions of her overall ability?

Thinking is she gets into grammar, might leave it. That will be an indication itself of ability. If she doesn't, might enquire re: L6. The local secondary does take into account SATs results to set classes, unlike one down the road which doesn't set until CATs have been done.

DD managed to get used to whatever L6 work she was offered between 31 March & mid May. She's no genius, honest though she might beg to differ. I'm not kidding, the school had no plans for any L6 entries until 29 March this yr. If DC school can teach to ability regardless of SATs then any school can.

If you think your Dd not going to be stretched to her ability then that's a different problem. It shouldn't have anything to do with SAT entries.

I had to push hard to get DD entered in L6. I only did this because she was tantrumming about the matter. So I kind of think don't push this unless she wants you to.

I see now, the performance table 'progress' measures (3 whole levels?) would put extra pressure on sec schools to get best grades out of those who passed level 6. Unless it all changes again (which it will).

Not sure if this is a good thing either. It may encourage SATs grade inflation but primaries and secondaries coud have conflicting goals. I like the idea of stretching sideways too.

@BoundandRebound "It does the students no favours, we pay very little attention to primary SATs as they are not in our experience relevant to children's ability or knowldege we retest and CAT for setting and reset throughout the year"

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Bit late on this, but that really annoys me and I'm blaming secondary schools. Primary might not be able to avoid L6 now given 'high ability' and 'stretching' are now very firmly in Wilshaw's inspection regime, but if you folk do think it's a crock then why aren't you talking to your feeder primary schools and helping them to do something that does do the kids some favours. Why haven't your herds of SLT folk made lots of noises about this?

"Not our problem"?

I teach Yr6, we have started a Level 6 grp ( all the current Level 5s) but will add to this as and when current level 4s reach Level 5. This is because, although the level 6 grp is in the afternoon and not instead of level 5 numeracy teaching, it can confuse those not already a secure level5.

I have rambled on , but what I am trying to say is, your dc may be joining the L6 grp later. It certainly is worth a chat.