Fastest way to make 3 NC progress levels? School, HE, Flexi-schooling?

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Hi,

Just wondered what the best way of ensuring ds reached a level 2 by the end of year 2. He is currently on level 1 plus p levels.

Many tia.

If flexi-schooling, what would be best, one day at home to 4 at school or the other way round or another combination?

It depends on the school/teacher/parent's ability to teach own child (speaking as a parent & teacher I don't think I could)

We've been home educating nearly 2 years and DD has come on so much. She's now 9 and would be in year 5 if she were at school. Once the pressure to learn in a way that didn't suit her was lifted, she's come on leaps and bounds. I've no idea how many levels though, as we don't test or measure this. Home ed totally suits our family!
I think it's looking at a) is it a problem for your child, b) if it's a problem, what will help.
Many schools don't support flexi schooling though.
All the best.

Well I have the knowledge (at least the knowledge of how to find out) as I'm sure you do mrz. I have the capability to teach my own child in short bursts too.

I'm not sure I could cope without the respite school brings.

But, he has fallen behind at school badly and I fear if I don't adress this he'll be disadvantaged greatly with his future options closed. I also feel that the reasons for falling behind are engagement rather than capability mixed with teachers that don't know how to motivate.

Both dd and ds moved up 3 sub levels in year 2 - I think ds may have increased by more in reading. I'm sure it was the expected increase at the school.

Doesn't the school think it's pissible?

Possible. Possible.

I'm not sure what the school think yet. They haven't given me his targets though I have asked for them.

1:1 tuition is obviously the fastest way to progress children.

If you feel you can cope with being with him 24hours a day, 7 days a week (I could not have done this with DS) and getting him to focus, then go for it.

How about posting on the HE boards for advice?

It would have to be temporary. Definitely.

Hmm. The trouble is that he really likes school.

I have tried the HE boards but I think they are all doing science experiments trying to conjure up a tornado in this weather or something.

If he really likes school, then it may be difficult to get him on board with your plans.

DS (as are many boys) slower to start reading and writing than his sister. He progressed quite a bit through Y2 and then loads in Y3. Maybe your DS just isn't ready yet to jump through the hoops the government have put in place.

Hello OP.

My dd is also 9 and has been H.ed for a complete school year now.
It is true that without the pressure they improve hugely and find what they enjoy learning too.
I think most H.edders would agree that once out of the system all the usual assessment tools are not required.
I have no idea what level my dd is working at as it isn't important outside a school situation.
My dd also enjoyed school and had no issues there at all, but wanted to leave to pursue her career and have more time to follow her dreams

Perhaps, but I have HEd before. When he was 3.5 his literacy and numeracy levels were given as the equivalent of a 5.5 year old by an Educational Psychologist.

So he hasn't just been slow, he's fallen behind quite dramatically iyswim.

Would school allow flexi schooling? Or for you to take him out and then go back in? I don't think ours would.

They would however be happy to meet a parent who was worried to discuss progress and then work with you. Ds2, for example, has really struggled to build up any enthusiasm for writing - we have identified the reasons, put some support in place, and have extra stuff for home and it is working.

Have you spoken to school?

Not yet. I did ask for his targets at the beginning of the year but they said something vague about having to find out whether they can give them and I haven't heard since.

Starlight

Is there a particular reason why you are interested in targets and the levels your ds is currently working within.
I ask because for a long time I was worried and caught up with the levels and constant assessing that schools need to do.
Now I see them and a lot of the nc as restrictive and counter productive to them learning at a level that suits them.
I think if you were to H.ed your ds would improve at the rate you wanted him to, not what the school wanted.

I am a teacher and don't think I would want to teach my ken children full time without some breaks!!

Could he not do school as normal and do extra work with you in the evenings and weekends?

Yes. I can do extra work with him but I have tried that and it isn't as effective as I'd like to be because he is tired and I'm trying to make dinner for 3 infant children.

Also, it is impossible to say, visit the Houses of Parliament on a Guy Falkes topic after school etc.

NC levels are a school based system, they have little value outside of that system so if you want to use them then I would suggest sticking with school - maybe a different school - and supplementing with some of the many published workbooks on a one-to-one basis out of school time.

However, I would do that if he could make up the progress JUST with after school extras. Is that possible?

Morethan, I know they are just numbers, and don't mean a lot in many ways, but they DO mean something when it comes to the next teacher/school's expectations and imo they do mean that he has gaps in his learning that I honestly believe he shouldn't have given his capability.

Personally I think it is possible to progress a lot with extra help. My DD is yr 2 as well and her maths was well behind her literacy so I have put her into a local maths club. It's not very pressurised, just teachers working with small groups and concentrating on what needs to be reinforced.

I think my DD will make the three sub level progress you are looking for.

I do however think you really need to be sure that your son is onside with your plans. The only reason the maths club is working for DD is that she loves it.

Penguin

Ime there is very little teaching involved tbh. Most of what dd does is research topics she is interested in, this usually coincides with a trip to a museum, theatre, field trip etc.
We learn together, through experience, conversation etc.
During between 1 and 3 hours a day it is possible to cover what it takes all day at school to cover.
I have also come across people who H.ed and go to work, as it isn't necessary to keep particular hours like the school system.

But ds has to make this level of progress in ALL his subjects though so I really don't think there are enough hours outside of school to do this.

Starlight

I see where you are coming from with the levels now. They are most important in the system, we aren't thinking of going back any time soon.

I'm not sure the way forward is with extra work at home, for the reason your ds may see this as a punishment or a chore he doesn't want to do. They are at school for a long time and need to play and pursue hobbies out of education. 3 levels is also a lot of work for somebody who is very young, and he will be tired.

On your other thread you mentioned his NC levels. Are these his current levels or are they the ones from the end of year 1? If they are his current levels then I would imagine he is already getting some extra support in reading (phonics) and writing at school. I definitely think you need to make an appointment with the teacher to discuss your concerns beforehand you decide on your course of action.