I need some advice - capable but painfully unproductive Y4 boy.

[ShatnersBassoon]

Parents' evening last night, same old story with Y4 DS. He's a capable boy, but fails time and time again to produce enough work at a standard that reflects his abilities. His CAT scores were 122, 122 and 132 for non-verbal. He has no SN, is a lovely kind boy and is happy and popular at school.

He has the same problem with homework, working towards Cubs badges, swimming badges etc. He doesn't want to stretch himself, and has absolutely no competitive streak. We really try to encourage him to be independent and motivate himself, but without constant prompts and reminders he would achieve nothing .

His teacher is going to start keeping him in at playtime if he hasn't done enough or if what he has done is poor.

Anyone with experience of encouraging a shiftless boy to dig in and change their attitude? We know it's in him to do very well, we just don't know how to tease it out. I feel sad that he's not doing himself proud, and that we're failing him somehow.

Those CAT scores are great (or am I missing something) - 115 is top end of average with 140 usually being maximum score. My ds (in Yr 3) is exactly the same, bright but very slow writer and does the minimum required so little advice here I'm afraid. We have tried bribery but I think we'll have to let him take responsibility at some point once he gets into year 6 and hope it is a maturity issue. One thing we are also looking at for our ds is assessment for poor working memory/slow processing - could that be an issue for your son?

I'll be watching this with interest. We have a Y2 boy whose teacher has told us that orally, he's the most able pupil in the class, but he simply CBA to write it down!

We had this recently. School recommended ds (yr 5) saw an Ed Psych. Her assessment revealed that ds was gifted but had a whole host of issues that stopped him achieving his potential.

School have put in place each of her recommendations and the teachers have changed their attitude towards ds. Most importantly she discovered that he has severe anxiety and a huge fear of failure which stops him trying to achieve (if he doesn't try he won't fail). I was surprised but discussing with her made me realise she was spot on so we are putting systems in place to support ds there too.

I'd also add that ds does not come across as a child who lacks confidence but he has masked it extremely well.

Bisjo, anything shareable which helps your DS with the anxiety?
DS1's biggest issue is this. We know it is, but aren't managing to reduce the anxiety and school are just seeing it as a behavioural problem and punishing him (which is obviously so helpful).

Thanks for your replies.

I can't see that anxiety is a problem for him. He knows he's as bright as a button, he knows he's able to do anything the school throws at him. Under test conditions he does brilliantly, in a regular classroom scenario and at home he coasts. It's very frustrating!

I spoke to his teacher again today and she said that yesterday and today he's really got his finger out and produced plenty of good work. She asked what I'd said to him to prompt the change and I had to admit I'd just been nagging him at every opportunity . Not exactly progressive parenting, but I'm all out of clever motivational strategies. Plus I've promised I'll buy him the Beano every week if his teacher can tell me he's been putting the effort in

That's my son too. Infuriating, isn't it? But I am taking the long view and thinking that EITHER he'll find something that fires him up and then he'll start working, or he is one of life's less ambitious types. And actually, being likeable and easy-going and having the gift of getting on with people will probably get him further in life than a clutch of top grades anyway, although he might have to shelve his ideas of becoming an astronaut!

He's destined for a career in IT. Coming up with ways to get the best results using the least effort. Lots of sitting still too.

Getting the best results out of the least effort is a hugely useful skill in itself! I am trying to trust that a combination of decent teaching, gentle nagging and some natural nous will see my son through...

I taught a boy like this years ago, and it turned out he was dyslexic. He couldn't process it onto paper, but when he did it was fine, so it was very hard to spot.
I am not suggesting your ds has dyslexia, but it is worth bearing in mind for bright kids who don't write it down.