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?

Oh thanks mrz. So I was wrong, great! Surely he could still progress higher than that though by the end of key stage 1 if he's doing year 3 work now? Or doesn't it work like that?
(Sorry for the thread hijack Op. I am also watching with interest regarding the handwriting tips as that's one if ds's weaker areas!)

DS2 came home today saying that he did great writing in school and that it made his teacher smile.

DH has done some writing with him this evening and it's nice and clear and fairly well punctuated.

Sometimes a bit of focus is all that is needed. We've just got to keep up the momentum now.

Cat98 Wales works differently to England because they have the foundation phase outcomes through to yr2 followed by National Curriculum in ks2.
A child achieving an outcome 6 in Wales is the equivalent of an NC 3a in England - whereas I believe that children in England scoring 'level 3' in their KS1 SATS could be anywhere from the bottom to the top of a level 3.
In national curriculum levels a child is expected to get Level 4 at the end of year 6 - so only expected to go up from NC level 2 (outcome 5) to NC level 4 over the entire 4 years of KS2. So it is very unlikely that even if a child is achieving level 2 (outcome 5) in year 1 that they would get above a level 3 (outcome 6) in year 2.

Should add, that there is an A grade above outcome 6 (I think its A) which means advanced in all areas ie got outcome 6 in maths, literacy and science.

Thanks lmg. I'm not sure he'd get that because his writing isn't as strong. At the end of what year group would a 3a be expected then?

A 3A is the expected level for yr4 (ish) I think.

DD's school will not allow a child to go beyond a 3A in KS1 SATS.

Which is ridiculous, since even the ARA talks about level 4 at KS1.

Feenie - I agree, but think its a battle for next year. Currently DD is only in yr1. I don't care what level she is reported to the LEA as long as her correct level is reported to me (in writing at her end of year school report).

Is there any info out there to challenge this? (Although suspect DD will conveniently slow down in progress in yr2 and pick up again in yr3)

From the KS1 ARA 2014:

"For assessing reading, writing and mathematics. If the
school believes the child is working above level 4, the school
should submit level 4."
Use codes 1, 2C, 2B, 2A, 3, 4"

Same for each subject.

Thanks Feenie, I could kiss you

However, the meeting I had with KS1 Head was before October so maybe they were unaware

Also interesting to read criteria for phonics check, but nothing about a child taking it early (which was what DD's school hoped to do last year but came back and said they couldn't).

It's in every ARA since the year dot, so they can't have been unaware. Have heard of other schools who claim the same though.

Phonics check is Year 1 only, that's pretty standard.

And you are very welcome!