What can you realistically expect from a school (KS1 levels)?

[pickledsiblings]

Can you 'expect' your DC to get a level 3 in writing at the end of KS1 because your previous 2 DC had level 3s at this stage? DC3 seems just as capable as them in other areas (more in some areas) but I'm pretty certain that unless I intervene there is no way he'll be getting that level 3 in writing or science.

DC1, girl was at a different school (private)
DC2, boy, joined school in question half way through Y1 (previously private)
DC3, boy, has been there since the beginning

I'm concerned, not just for my DC but for all the other DC that may be able to achieve more. Nothing is being flagged up for my DC and he'll pass through the system as a 'success'.

Should I speak to the teacher?

juniper9, prior to our new head we used to allow L3's to be given but sadly that head left and our new head is so focused on OFSTED that it's been decided L3's no longer exist in KS1 :( I find it very sad that schools need to lie to "achieve" in OFSTED's eyes.

Pickledsiblings - that seems like a different issue, even if they do not hand out L3's your child should still be being challenged, in which case I would speak to his teacher to discuss how they are challenging him.

My first two children got L3s in writing in KS1 (ds1 an august born boy!!) but the truth is that I have taken things in hand and done writing nearly every day at home in reception and Y1.

The biggest problem with the bit of writing they did at school (not every day, either), is that it wasn't corrected. This meant that they went on reinforcing their mistakes and reinforcing bad habits. So for example reversing letters, getting the wrong phonic combination or spelling, forgetting capital letters etc...

I was shocked and appalled when I saw the quality of writing (and the very small quantity) they produced in school in Reception and Year 1. Year 2 was much more and better quality, but then the teacher was excellent that year.

This is also an outstanding school.

I am also worried about my third as he is definitely more immature and less keen than the other two were at his age, but if I don't do enough at home he will not achieve L3 (it's just that bit harder to nail him down).

Just as an aside, he is learning the violin for 15 minutes a week and he practices for about 5 minutes 3-4 times a week too - he can play lots of tunes already, has learnt so much about the instrument and can make a nice sound. It irks me that he spends so much time at school and has not yet mastered the basics of writing.

He spent a long time last year writing words with finger spaces between phonemes - found this out after the event obviously, but why would you let a child make that mistake more than once!

Since when has it not been possible to get a level 3 at the end of KS1?

Thanks Blueberry and the rest of you for allowing me to vent about this. I'm picking him up from school now and am planning on asking to bring home his folders to see just how much actual writing he has been doing.

Our school does actually give them L3s if they deserve it btw.

All schools give level 3s- it's bonkers to say they don't. Urban myth, methinks?

Blueberry, I wonder how many kids get L3 at KS1 without parental input.

mrz please please please share your writing policy with me .

I reckon not many, pickled, from my observation.

Am home armed with a folder of work from DS2's teacher. He told his teacher whilst I was there that he 'did some writing for mummy that was much better than what he did in school' - eek, that's not v. promising. She asked him why that was and he said because he concentrated .

HT reluctant to provide policy as it is due for a rework in line with the new NC. I said I wanted the old one as I would be looking at in in parallel with his current work to make sure I help him in the most constructive way possible.

Teacher reinforced that she was not worried about content or spelling, just the technical aspect of writing - he needs to write bigger.

Back later.

Tried to post earlier to say is it the content or the handwriting, but you have answered my question!

Why do you think he has made v little progress though?

My DC school cap at a 3A for KS1.

Would I expect a child who looked as clever to me as older sibs at same things that older sibs excelled at, to achieve about the same as older siblings: yes. But if they didn't achieve that I would presume they weren't as clever as I thought, not that the school must be failing them. I would take OP's evidence of poor writing to be his natural level at writing, not the school's failing.

If I wanted to boost their skills in an area I would do focused work with them (have done this a bit with DS2 for writing & DS3 for math). Because DS2 has tantrums about writing after summer break so what I'm really working on is attitude not writing, and DS3 because he is just so terrible at math.

In my experience KS1 SATs matter bugger all. They do NOT determine what set they go into afterwards, either.

juniper9, prior to our new head we used to allow L3's to be given but sadly that head left and our new head is so focused on OFSTED that it's been decided L3's no longer exist in KS1 sad I find it very sad that schools need to lie to "achieve" in OFSTED's eyes.

Then OFSTED will be on his back in an instant wanting to know where the L3s are at KS1.

Funny thing, round here we have separate infants schools for KS1 and get LOTS of level 3s coming out of them.

The OP is completely obsessed with levels even though she is saying she isn't now! If his writing is that bad why should he get level 3? He is reading stage 8, I wouldn't give level 3 to a child who is currently reading stage 8!! Surely if your son could achieve more, with a bit of help at home he would be brilliant at school or not? Maybe he is not as good as you think he is! Have you discussed levels with your son's teacher?

I have to say I thought that about the stage 8 books, but then maybe the child is reading harder things at home?

"Then OFSTED will be on his back in an instant wanting to know where the L3s are at KS1."

Feenie, I really hope you're right - the head is new to headship, having been a deputy in their last post, so still learning the ropes! I taught Yr2 for 4 years before she arrived and the old head never stopped me giving L3's so long as we could provide proof however this head has categorically said we are not to give L3's no matter what - I wish it was an urban myth Curlew but sadly I know a few schools that won't let KS1 children have a L3. X

xxwowxx, I'm not obsessed with levels, just with achievement and in particular achieving what one is capable of. My son is capable (in writing) of a lot more than school are asking of him. He's not a genius or anything but with a bit more practice he could be much better.

His reading is improving apace because we work on it at home. He has a fab vocab, an excellent grasp of phonics and secure spelling when asked so I'm not worried about that. Also, his reading age is +3 years ahead with his spelling close behind so I don't see why you think he won't be able to get a L3 in that.

lijkk, DS2 has a great attitude and will work hard at what he's given. The school are having a push on learning behaviours and learning to learn and having talked it all through with DS2 I can say with confidence that he is ready and willing to learn but just doesn't seem to be getting the exposure.

I'm not chuffed that I have to boost his writing skills tbh, he's at school all day and there are other things to do when he gets home. What about the parents that won't bother boosting their kids writing skills because they don't realise they need to?

Purple isn't three years ahead, though, is it? It's bang in the middle of the range for age 6-7, which is Y2.

Screw the school and simply teach him how to write properly. It's not rocket science.

Just heard this evening that a friend's son tried out for a choral scholarship at a London prep and whilst he was musically very capable his academics were scarily off. The mother has moved him to a new school because she was unaware that there were any problems with his reading/writing/maths as he achieved well at KS1. As the move was from one state school to another, I don't hold out much hope for her. However, now that she is aware of the problem she is supporting him big time at home.

My August born son scored L3s at the end of yr2, loves writing, now at start of yr3 has readin age of 15. This is all down to his state school.

Huitre, what do you mean purple isn't three years ahead? His teacher told me his reading and spelling ages as they test these things by independent means.

captainbarnacle, that's fantastic. I'm not saying state schools can't do it, obviously some can and much is down to the child also. Did your son do much writing practice at school? Did he have spellings? Homework? How's his maths?

If parents are trying to place their children in competitive schools then they really should know how capable the children are and what the schools require. I wouldn't apply for a sports scholarship if my only expertise was in cooking pastry.