Question from Twitter@Sue_Cowley 25m

[mrz]

?I've been asked to post this as Sue Cowley isn't a member

The DfE won't ask, but I will. Parents: do you want yr child to be given a decile rating age 11? 5 replies so far, none in favour.

www.education.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action=conSection&consultationId=1920&dId=1300&sId=8727
"To show parents how their child’s attainment compares with other pupils in their cohort, we propose to report each pupil’s ranking in the national cohort by decile (i.e. 10% of the cohort). This will show each pupil’s performance relative to their peers nationally."

I don't see how it is useful - I want to know my DCs are achieving as much as they are capable of, as individuals.

I fully anticipate my children will not be equal to each other academically but as long as they are each achieving their potential then that's what everyone hopes for surely?

Not really - and we are now given them in Wales from year 2 upwards. The only thing that it was useful for I guess, was to show that DSs year 6 SATS grade (which are marked internally in Wales) were accurate.

As a teacher in Y3, parents often wanted to know in which quarter of the class their child was. Parents of academically able children are more likely to want to compare, in my experience.

I'd find it useful when DCs are in year 4 or 5, purely for deciding whether to enter them for the 11+ which we still have. Not bothered otherwise (DD currently in y2, DS1 & DS2 not of school age yet).

No I wouldn't want it for my DD.
It is irrelevant tbh and not useful.

Competitive mums (and dads) will use it as another ay to compete.
Those children who are struggling may well become incrasingly demotivate by such knowledge.

Why do people need this information?

Surely as a parent you just need to know
(a) how my child is doing in terms of national expectations - on they on target, above or below
(b) are they making continued positive progress
(c)how can we/school support the child to ensure they make at least expected progress