What does a 1a and w (P5) mean in a 9 year old?? Thanks.

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, my daughter does have learning difficulties and is in a MS primary. She should be in year 4 but has been put back a year. She also has a full time one to one.
She made a lot of progress last year, but this year it looks on paper as if she hasn't made any. She's also not as happy in year 3, due to there being less time to play etc.

She's a 1a for reading, writing, English and maths. A 1B for science and P5 for speech and language. She's aiming to get to a 2c, but her teacher said that this is a tall order for her.

Could you please tell me what these levels mean in terms of how far behind she is compared with other children of her age.

Thank you.

Are you in scotland OP? In England Year 3 is age 7-8

Hi, no I'm in England. She was 9 in march. She should be in year 4, but they put her back a year due to her SEN's.

www.st-josephs-barlick.lancs.sch.uk/download/file/The%20SATs%20Grades%20Explained.pdf

I googled and got this.

1a/1b is where they would be end of year 1.

w(p5) is I believe the scales used for Nursery/Reception children, ie lower than 1c.

Sorry.

That's brilliant, thank you!

The average child should be level 4 (a, b or c) at end end of year 6. At the end of year 4, you would expect 3c to be on course for a 4b. Good progress for the average child is two sub levels a year. Has no-one at school explained what these levels are? P levels are used when the normal attainment levels have not been reached. They are usually used for SEN children when they are working towards level 1. Your DDs progress will be slower so getting to 2c could be hard, but not impossible. Who set the target of 2c?

I assume she has a statement. You will have to start discussing with the SENCO where she should go for secondary education because her statement will need to be amended. You could also discuss her levels and progress at her review meeting. Those present should have explained to you the concept of levels and progress. As you are probably aware, she will have a big problem accessing the secondary curriculum, so think very carefully where she should go next.

No, no ones really explained it. The teacher said that if she reaches her target of a 2c, then she'll only be 1 year behind. I thought that was fantastic, then thought, but she's already in a class younger than her age, so that's actually 2 years. I still thought it was good though considering she has severe learning difficulties.

We haven't looked at any schools yet, but we plan too soon.

P5 stands for PIVAT 5 - you can google it & see exactly what that means. It should also have a letter after that (so P5e for example) so that you can see exactly where she's at. PIVATs break down the National Curriculum levels in to smaller steps and allow teachers to show even the smallest amounts of progress.
I would say that she is significantly below average for her age (we would expect 3b at the end of Year 4 & 2a at the end of Year 3).
You already know that she's behind her peers though and the fact that she has 1:1 means that the school know that too. I would focus more on her progress. Children should make 2 sub-levels (so 3c to 3a) or 1 full PIVAT each year.
In our LA, statements are like hen's teeth but I would ask the school about their 'local offer' & I agree with Milly that you should start to think carefully about secondary. All too often children like your daughter get 'swallowed up' in big secondary school - especially if she is well-behaved & doesn't kick up a fuss. Look at smaller secondaries or ask about a specialist provision for her.
Good luck xx

There are two special schools in our area. One for moderate LD's and one for severe. Our senior schools don't have the best reputations for behaviour and bullying. My daughter is very easily lead and has no inhibitions, so possibly not the best place for her.

PIVATS is different to the P Scale (which is probably what has been used for Lucy) P scales are the statutory assessments used for children identified as having SEN and who are working below level 1 of the NC. P Scales are P1-P8 with P1 being the lowest and P8 the highest.

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/240015/P_scales_level_descriptors_2009.pdf

PIVATS are a commercial product produced by Lancs LEA