Teachers do not adhere to Statemented 1 to 1 support, do not believe in sub-levels, make APP assessments up....How much of what parents are told by schools about teaching is a box ticking exercise?

[Regards]

Following on from this thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/1859219-Im-a-teacher-and-happy-to-answer-any-questions

and this:
community.tes.co.uk/tes_primary/f/36/t/381051.aspx?pi2132219857=1

I realised I was incredibly gullible when my DC first started school. What exactly should we believe concerning what the teachers tell us, how much is a PR job to cover up the ugly truth?

I am not a journalist. Just a parent.

Also if I was wrong maybe there would be some more reassuring posts.

There are a (small) number of people in every profession who do a poor job.

Be it teachers, nurses, managers whatever.

No need to tar the entire profession because of a few horror stories.

What a load of total crap this thread is. Seriously op? Why do want to stir up negativity for no real reason? You're looking for trouble, not advice or help. You're a shit stirrer, you have no real anxiety, it's quite clear what your agenda is.

Some of the stuff on there suprises me and I agree with spotted that there will always be people who let us down.

But it does agrivate me when parents expected teachers to never blow off steam. How often are people refered to as twats or fuckers on here? Sometimes geuine fuckers but sometimes just annoying partners or MILs. When your kids are really pissing you off, you need somewhere to go and call them little shits. I wouldnt personally use retard but the teachers who do are just venting. Calling to their faces, in the school staffroom, in earshot of parents or children would be unforgiveable. But on a forum? Why does it matter?

We are human. We are not perfect but then, neither are your children.

I think ultimately your issues are with YOUR child and their statement and you are trying to rally support when really it is too personal a situation.

I personally have experienced some stuff that just does not add up, well it does if teachers were lying or at the very least putting their own spin on the truth. I can't go in to details obviously as this is speculation and in any case the circumstances would out me.

So how 'small' a group of the profession is this? Have we been unlucky? Or do teachers feel forced into acting like this?

It's not so much the venting but the practises that have been admitted to that worries me.

I do also think APP is quite flawed. How do you make sure the work that is assessed is representative of a child's current level? I know the frequency of assessment alone is not enough to ensure this.

Also with the sub levels, how often does a child seem to progress the requisite amount? Teachers are often reluctant to report them yet they are often the only standardised, albeit non standard, indicator of progress.

However, these type of assessments inform on how a teacher differentiates the teaching our children will receive, what educational opportunities will be available to them.

I do also think APP is quite flawed. How do you make sure the work that is assessed is representative of a child's current level? I know the frequency of assessment alone is not enough to ensure this.

That is why APP is performed on several pieces of work across several subjects and at various different times. If it wasn't it would just be a test.
It is not perfect. But one thing it is is representative.

How often would an individual child's work be assessed by APP?

How simple is it to Moderate sub levels?

I've been teaching for over 10 years and completely agree with worriedmouse.
I get so fed up with my professional judgement being considered worthless.
I always make sure any statemented child gets the support they are entitled to. That doesn't mean their TA needs to be glued to their side. That does it lead to a very healthy relationship in my experience. Ad as others have said it very much depends on the child's needs and targets.

How do you ensure accurate reporting regarding the progression in the level of support required by a Statemented child at Annual Review?

A child's work should be assessed continuously to be honest. When a teacher marks it they can always be on the look out for evidence for APP. We do 2 specific assessment tasks a term but if a see something in a child's work I would highlight it and date it for future reference.
APP now has to be across the whole year and a range of subjects.

accurate reporting? I presume from that you are not trusting the teachers judgement!?
Accuracy should be ensured by a number of things.
The observations and opinions of the TA, teacher, SENCO and possibly Headteacher.
Opinions of the child if appropriate
Observations and opinions of the parents.
Measured progress shown by APP and IEPs
I'm sure there's more but it's late and my brain is giving up.

Thanks that is reassuring. Will this happen in all schools that use APP?

Also what is your answer to my other question regarding progression in support?

Sorry cross post. I was thinking more of something that was indicative of level of support, would include quantities reporting as well as qualitative. Some provision mapping?

To apply for Higher Needs funding you would have to demonstrate 6k of support, which equates to roughly 12 hours of genuine 1 to 1 support (if supporting a group, the support costs less).

^ quantitive

APP is continuous monitoring through the year. We use APP grids and highlight objectives when they've been met. At set times through the year we make judgements on children's levels. This is subjective but in most schools is moderated.

My only advice is to talk to the school. I would be devastated to discover a parent was unhappy with my teaching or support of their child. Class teacher first, then Senco, then headteacher. I really hope you can resolve your problems with the school.

I can only really speak for the schools I work in and the cluster of schools that we work with for moderation.
All school should be (and I would hope nearly all are) doing something similar.
There will always be bad apples but please don't put as all in the same barrel!

We do provision mapping.
Recording support in three waves.
This is specific for dyslexia but gives the general idea.
www.interventionsforliteracy.org.uk/schools/guidance/

Sorry cross post. I was thinking more of something that was indicative of level of support, would include quantities reporting as well as qualitative. Some provision mapping?

To apply for Higher Needs funding you would have to demonstrate 6k of support, which equates to roughly 12 hours of genuine 1 to 1 support (if supporting a group, the support costs less).

Sorry repeated post.

The Wave 1,2 and 3 does not really quantify in quite the same way, costing is now required, as per the new legislation. This would equate very directly to whether a child's designated 1 to 1 is fully utilised.

Do parents see the Provision Mapping? Is this quantified?

@Wellthen

Some of the stuff on there suprises me and I agree with spotted that there will always be people who let us down.

But it does agrivate me when parents expected teachers to never blow off steam. How often are people refered to as twats or fuckers on here? Sometimes geuine fuckers but sometimes just annoying partners or MILs. When your kids are really pissing you off, you need somewhere to go and call them little shits. I wouldnt personally use retard but the teachers who do are just venting. Calling to their faces, in the school staffroom, in earshot of parents or children would be unforgiveable. But on a forum? Why does it matter?

We are human. We are not perfect but then, neither are your children.

I think ultimately your issues are with YOUR child and their statement and you are trying to rally support when really it is too personal a situation.

Venting or not, disablist language, such as this, breaks our talk guidelines. It matters because we have guidelines which promote equality and value diversity.

It isn't acceptable to use disablist language anywhere and to allow words like this would go against all that we are trying to do. This is an open forum so anyone can read your posts. It's 'unforgivable' to say this within the earshot of parents so it should be just as 'unforgivable' to post it knowing that it could be read by parents of disabled children too.

Have you seen our current campaign? This is my child

MNHQ.