SAT level 3a at end of year 6 - ok?

[Oneaddoneisthree]

We have recently moved from a different curriculum into English system so I don't totally understand the levels. At the recent parents' evening we were told that ds (almost 11, in year 6) is achieving level 3a across the board at the moment but that they would like him to achieve level 4b by the end of the year. I don't know if he can do this and worry about how he will cope at secondary as the teacher said level 4 is the minimum requirement to cope with the secondary curriculum. However she didn't seem overly concerned. Can anyone advise? Thanks.

it isnt a very high level. perhaps it is the change in school systems and different curriculum? no language change?

Lots of children will finish primary school on level 4.

If he's 3a that means he's at the top of level 3

sorry, what i meant was, perhaps they think he is a 3 because of the change in system rather than natural ability, so that is why they think 2 sublevel progress is possible in a few months.

Thanks for the replies. I'm sure the adjustment to the school school and system will have had an effect. What the teacher said doesn't surprise me, as school doesn't come easily to DS. What is strange is that in his last school, they said he working at the appropriate level in maths and writing, but that reading was slightly behind. Now they are telling me the exact opposite. His teacher said that she thinks he can achieve level 4b if he puts more effort in. Hmm. I'm just worried about how he's going to cope next year - what happens if it's a disaster? Does he go back to primary?!

There hasn't been any language change.

Level 4b is the 'average' expected for the end of year 6, they wouldn't put anything in place if they think he will achieve this in the tests that all year 6 children in state schools take towards the end of year 6.
He will not stay in primary if he doesn't achieve this level but would most likely be in the lower groups at secondary until they carry out their own assessments. It would also be up to the secondary schoolto identify if he needs any additional support at that time.
Do you know where he is going for secondary or have you also had to do a late application?

Yes he will be in a different section of the same international school so no worries about the transfer as such, just more about what will happen if he is really behind. He is not at all independent about getting longer pieces of homework done and doesn't have good organisation or time-management skills. He can take responsibility for homework due the next day but doesn't think beyond that with projects etc. We have to tell him to keep working on things and sit with him. There is a lot of resistance and he doesn't really care about school work. I know he finds some things hard but he could also do much better with more effort and a better attitude!

Hi Oneaddone:

My advice is have a read of MN Learning pages - especially progress through NC Levels: www.mumsnet.com/learning/assessment/progress-through-national-curriculum-levels - the table at the bottom of the page shows that notionally a child should be expected to achieve 4a by time of KS2 SATs (mid May of Y6). I think the national expectation is 4b - at least there has been some debate here regarding the MN 4a figure.

The reality is SATs scores are given as just the main level: NC L4 - and not sub-levels - working from lowest ability 'c'/ working within level 'b'/ high ability 'a'.

So what it means is that your DC is working about 6 months to a year behind where he should be - but there is still time.

How can you help:

Is the issue that your DC doesn't quite know his times tables yet - so his calculation skills are relatively slow.

Is the weakness with bigger numbers - and he stuggles to add/ subtract if he has to carry numbers.

You can do a lot to help by simply encouraging him to practise these skills by playing free on-line video games. A great place to start is Woodlands Junior School Maths zone: resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/

If it's reading - just keep that daily reading going. Work on his skills decoding tricky words and his comprehension (understanding what's happening in the story - and hints about what might happen next).

HTH

Thank you, that's all really helpful. I will have a look at that website.

I have gone around in circles over the years as to what his issues actually are! I would say:

He knows his times tables but we have to keep practising - he's like a leaky bucket.

He works really slowly - a combination of being a bit dreamy, slow reading or processing speed and just not caring about getting it done.

He is much stronger verbally than on paper - I think he often feels that he doesn't fully get his ideas across.

He just doesn't care! He will do the minimum and although he has been kept in to finish work, it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference for the next time.

Having said this, when he wants to do something, he is like a dog with a bone and can make a really decent job of it, IF you can get him interested.

I have often thought of just leaving him to it rather than sitting on him to get anything done, but I don't think he would rise to the challenge at the moment, and the risk feels too big. His teacher is really positive and seems to understand him well, and he likes her.

My ds came from the US in Year 5. They immediately flagged her as average and she got a 4b at the end of Year 6.

Now in KS3 she is targeted to be a 6 in English and 7 in Maths. Average and Above average so she is doing quite well. Having looked at some of the GSCE curriculum it is not too difficult too fill in the gaps of knowledge if the student is still behind their potential at the end of year 9. it's about teaching them how to study more than anything else.

He sounds like my brother - who is now brilliant and successful, but would never do his school work! I think that is your battle. Teach him to organize his writing and study. We have the Colliers Revision guides for science and I am teaching my daughter how to be organized about studying.

Your dd has done really well to be achieving those levels. My elder dd is also doing really well, so I don't think it's the change in curriculum giving ds most of his issues (we also came from US system). I have tried so many strategies to get ds more organised - lists, signs to remind him etc. He is improving, slowly - this morning he came down with his PE kit as he remembered what day it was (dirty, but still). This may not sound like a big deal but it really was!

About a quarter of the children I teach will gain a level 3 in numeracy and literacy. They are age 6-7 and in year 2. They are overachieving fur tegu age but not ridiculously so. I'm afraid your dc has some catching up.

I'm afraid there is no way we could afford a private tutor - we already pay a fortune for the school as we are overseas and the dcs cannot attend a local school. I will speak to the teacher again - I think the school will help him if necessary, I was just surprised that the teacher didn't seem more concerned when we met before.

Hi OP, as a secondary teacher I say to you do not panic. I've taught a hundreds of children in international schools in your DCs position due to change of education system.

The most likely explanation for his current level (aside from ability and effort) is simply he has not made the adjustment to the change in system. Many systems assess differently and children can take a long time to understand what is required of them and/or develop the necessary skills.

Ask the teacher for a meeting and discuss what are the key areas of weakness he needs to focus on to improve. It is not that hard to go from a 3a to a 4b - it is mostly to do with developing skills.

Don't stress op. SATs results really don't matter to the child only to the primary school!

They are saying that he is achieving almost at the average level. What is most important is what he does at secondary school. The change in system will undoubtedly have affected him in some way anyway.

When I taught in secondary years ago we were expected to get Cs at GCSE out of kids who got 3 5s in the KS3 SATs at 14. He should be at least that level by then.

The only thing that is a bit of a red flag for me in that he is better verbally than on paper. Has he ever been tested for dyslexia?

My DD2 is year 7 and has the exact same attitude as your son and it drives me crazy!! Just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

Thank you all, I do feel a little more reassured!

adoptmama I agree that the change will have affected him somewhat however he has always had problems keeping up. At one point we thought of keeping him back a year as he always seems to be 6-12 months behind the others in some areas, but not all.

brettgirl2 I do think he shows signs of dyslexia and dyspraxia. He has never been formally tested though. We are aware of the areas he struggles in and he has always had good support so I don't think a formal diagnosis would be that beneficial at the moment, as we would have to pay for whatever help he gets anyway. It can also make getting into future international/private schools difficult - they often have a waiting list and can pick and choose who they take!

The fact you are overseas does complicate things. So I would go and have an open and honest conversation.
Ask: What will happen if he doesn't achieve level 4's by the end of the year? (for this school)
Do they see signs of dyslexia dyspraxia? Is there testing available? What accommodations can be made for him?

If you were in England, it could be a good thing for him to get 3's as this can trigger extra funding and help in state schools.
You really need to ask the school hard questions, as international schools are very very varied even if they teach a British curriculum.

I agree, I will need to speak to the teacher again. There has been no mention of keeping him back or anything like that.

It's a great school from what I can see.

Have just been doing some maths practice online and I'm a little shocked - I think he's gone backwards as he used to be able to do more a few months ago.

He is massively struggling with the year 5 section. Things like multiplication word problems, dividing numbers into 2 or 3 - basically anything with more than one step to it.

And the fact that I am "ruining his life" is not helping.

Moving country and school for 3rd culture kids can be incredibly difficult and stressful. It often shows educationally because they are stressed, unhappy and upset by the move. Also attention can be going into making new friendships etc and not be on the school work. It's a hard time of year to move and it can take kids a long time to settle. Has he had many moves before? It sounds like he is struggling in a lot of ways with the move (his comment you are ruining his life) and I often say to parents at this point to back off on the school work a little as that is just one more pressure they may be emotionally not very able to handle at the moment.

Re Int. schools knocking back children with special needs - yes it does happen :( But I would hazard it is better to have a diagnosis now if warranted and then the support to help him catch up so that if/when next move comes he is moving as an on target dyslexic rather than a well below average pupil (that is presupposing the gap with peers is not closed).

But if he is still struggling to come to terms with the new school/country etc then I would consider whether he needs the additional stress of being tested just now or if it could better way a few months till the summer holiday.

Thanks again. He is actually doing fine socially, emotionally etc. We have moved a lot - every couple of years or so. The "ruining my life" comment is just the way he is when he's not getting to do exactly what he wants. Rather an extreme child!

I wouldn't rule out an assessment, I just worry about future school applications as I've seen several friends shoot themselves in the foot this way. In his last school (very small) he had daily maths homework, which he complained about, whereas now (very large school) he hardly has any. I'm thinking he needs the daily practice as he forgets quickly, so will definitely do more of that at home.