End of Year 4 levels - need a reality check

[CluelessCrapParent]

So just received dd's glowing (I have a feeling all the reports are glowing) end of year 4 report....well done to dd. A little confused about the levels though, whether they are good or very good or not so special, especially as I'm trying to get a feel for what her chances are of getting into an academically selective independent school.

Maths - 4a, reading 4a, writing 4b.

What are/were your dc's end of year four levels?
If your dc went for the 11+ were they a good indication as to their suitability?

Mine got 3A for R+R and 4C for maths.

She's at the top of the class, not right at the top, but I'd say top 10%. I don't think many of them got above a 4C, maybe a couple of 4B/4A.

Looking at that table she's above top end of average/ above expectations.

Tbh, I'm fine with that. She stands a higher chance of a place at our local outstanding secondary if she's average :)

How are these levels decided? Is it by the teacher? DO some schools push for higher levels to make themselves look better? I know of one school that picked a few kids and coached them for level 6 to get their stats up...

I think it all depends too on what a particular school does/ teaches and how far they push them. Some simply won't teach beyond level 4 in year 4. We have been told this several times in our school that even if they can do more they have to have demonstrated it in class and if the teacher doesn't differentiate enough they don't get to show it.

I've just been told that under the new Gove curriculum coming in in September bright children will have to be extended widthways - so more difficult questions on the same topic - rather than doing work that would normally be done by older children.