Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Original poster

Reading - is it usual for school not to give out any information

15 replies

tacal · 07/04/2014 09:10

Hi, I have seen lots of threads on here about reading levels. My ds is in his first year of primary and the school tell me nothing about his reading, except there are no problems. They will not discuss reading levels or what ds is reading at school. Is this normal?

I asked school some questions about reading recently because I wanted to help ds read at home. He has sen and whenever I tried to get him reading at home he would refuse or find it very difficult. School didn't answer any of my questions about what he is reading in school, they only said he does read books at school.

Since the discussion with school, I have started doing a multisensory reading manual with ds at home and he is making a lot of progress. I am happy that I am now able to help ds at home.

Is is normal for the school not to give out information about what they do at school regarding reading? Was I wrong to ask? The school tell me he reads sentences from books and ds assures me he does not. Would it be unusual for them not to read out loud from a book in the first year?

OP posts:
MissMe · 07/04/2014 09:43

It wouldn't be unusual for a child with SEN to have a different perception of what he is doing than that which his teachers have. He may not think he is reading sentences from a book, when in fact he is.

You should be able to get a reading level though, that is something that is a basic at a parents evening. I don't give them out to any parent that asks randomly after school - they need an appointment and a proper discussion to have it explained, because otherwise they are just used as tools in the MummyMafiaBitchFest that is the school playground.

LittleMissGreen · 07/04/2014 09:45

Do they not send home 'Home Readers' - that I would have thought is very unusual.
Whilst I have become aware that the level of communication we have about reading from our school is probably higher than average, I would have thought it fairly usual that the school would at least note the book name and page number that a child had read at school and put it in their reading record which comes home with the home reading books.

columngollum · 07/04/2014 10:20

If you mean that he is in Reception, then, it's possible for children not to have been given books with words in until after Christmas. (Our school does it like that.) In which case his word books might still be very simplistic at the moment.

Also, people can get very confused when school sends home reading books with no words in. (Why would anybody want one of those?!!!)

maizieD · 07/04/2014 10:26

Also, people can get very confused when school sends home reading books with no words in. (Why would anybody want one of those?!!!)

One of the very rare moments when I agree with you, cg Grin

Original poster
tacal · 07/04/2014 10:55

Hi, thank you for your quick replies. Ds is in primary 1 (Scotland). He is 5. He was getting red books home and could not read them. He then got moved up to yellow and had a look of fear when ever I suggested reading it. We go to a homework club and he has been the same with the tutors there - not able to read the books.

I asked senco if they were able to give me any information about what he was capable of doing at school. What could he do that meant he should be able to read a yellow book. I explained it was because i wanted to help him at home and rule out visual problems relating to autism. The school responded by sending a red book home the following week.

They don't discuss levels at parents evening. They don't have homework diaries. No homework, only a book home.

I am happy now i have got him reading at home using toe by toe. My only concern is that school don't seem willing to tell me anything so it is not really parents and school working together. But maybe there is nothing to tell or maybe it is just none of my business what goes on in the classroom.

OP posts:
Sheneverdid · 07/04/2014 11:48

Hi tacal all that I can say is that your Dc's education is not a secret, just remember that.

If there is nothing to tell...why not just give you the info you are asking for at a time that suits like Missme has said? Your Dc's education IS your business regardless. If anything the fact that he has SEN should make the questions you are asking even more relevant, how can appropriate intervention/support be used at home if nobody provides any info?.

You could always put everything you would like to know in writing to the CT (maybe copying in the HT/SENCO) and keep copies for future reference.

Did you have a meeting with the SENCO prior to your DS starting the school?

mrz · 07/04/2014 11:49

Not sure about Scottish SEN system
www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/158117/0042777.pdf

Is his SEN recognised and does he have an IEP (or similar)?

MissMe · 07/04/2014 11:50

As a teacher of 6/7yr olds, I would be mortified if one of my parents felt it was none of their business. I am always happy to explain and listen, I do ask my parents to trust me as well!

Original poster
tacal · 07/04/2014 12:20

Thank you for replying. You are making me feel better about asking for information. I was beginning to think I was over anxious.

I did put my concerns in writing to the senco. Don't think I would like to ask again for info it would damage our relationship. I will wait and see how he gets on now with extra help at home.

The school have been great at having meetings with me. I have met senco and class teacher a few times. They have a great way of answering all my questions with a really positive comment. Then after the meeting I realise I have come away knowing absolutely nothing except how proud they are of ds and how well he is doing (but with no facts or info about what he actually does).

If the occupational therapist or behavioural optometrist find anything wrong with his vision I will definitely speak to teachers again. But don't think they are interested to hear my views.

OP posts:
Original poster
tacal · 07/04/2014 12:25

missme i definitely trust the school. They are doing a great job with ds but I think that he needs help at home with reading so that is only reason I want info about what he could achieve in the class and how he achieved it

But now they are being secretive I am thinking maybe I should not trust them. They probably don't have enough staff to provide any extra help for ds so maybe don't enter into discussions because they are doing all they can.

OP posts:
Original poster
tacal · 07/04/2014 13:45

Thank you mrz for the link. I am back home now so will sit and read with a cup of tea.

Yes he has an asp (additional support plan) but nothing on it about reading. The school say he doesn't need much support
so are already saying he probably won't need an asp in p2.

I find it strange that ds has a fear of sentences but can sound out individual words. I really do believe him when he says he does not read sentences at school but then why would the school tell me he does!

I just need to wait and see what happens.

OP posts:
mrz · 07/04/2014 14:01

Have you tried covering the sentence and revealing it word by word? (or sound by sound id necessary)

Original poster
tacal · 07/04/2014 14:42

yes and he was finding it really difficult and refusing. It was horrible for both of us.

Yesterday we got to the page in toe by toe where he had to read a sentence and he read it no problem. Before we started toe by toe I showed him the page with the sentences and he said no way could he read them. So it seems that toe by toe is helping.

OP posts:
mrz · 07/04/2014 14:46

Bear Necessities is a more child friendly option - good luck

Original poster
tacal · 07/04/2014 15:23

thank you!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page