does infant attainment predict future academic success?

[apermanentheadache]

DD1 is 6 and in year 1. She is bang slap average in her class, struggles a bit with writing and doesn't really enjoy school work that much. Socially and behaviourally she is brilliant, top marks for being a star pupil .

I was a super-achiever and found school easy. She is her own person and I'm not particularly bothered if she never goes to Uni as long as she finds something she loves doing. However, I'm aware that really good grades generally give you more options in life.

So with that in mind, I was wondering whether your children that have gone on to be high-attaining have always been high-attaining from the very start?

How likely is it that she will have average attainment throughout her school life?

Like I say I'm not going to get my knickers in a knot about it, but I just wondered what other people's experience was.

No.Even A levels don't predict class of degree!!!

I've taught for a while and IME attainment at Primary school has very little bearing on future academic success unless very extreme either way in which case that tends to continue. Progress is often developmental until early teens. I'd put far more stead on a curious mind, a work ethic and an interest in life in general. Ps I know someone who was told not to bother doing A levels as his Gsce results were poor. He went on to get 4 A grades and a first!! Likewise I know girls who got L5s in their SATS and then very poor A levels. Please try hard not to pressurise your Dd.

Depends on child. I achieved nothing at primary school (though nothing much was asked of me), got the second worst o-level results in the year at secondary school, and an e for one of my A-levels... but very luckily got into Oxford and did just fine there - because, it turns out, I'm not very good at being taught, I'm better when I'm left to do my own thing - and the older i got the more independent the learning. I would have found the sort of tight prescriptive worksheet directed curriculum my kids are asked to follow now very difficult indeed.

My father struggled with learning to read and write at primary school and failed the 11 plus. He ended up at Oxford.

A friend of mine was given extra help at primary school as he was thought to have learning difficulties. He is now professor at a Russell Group University.

So no, primary school attainment doesn't necessarily predict academic potential in later life.

there is an enormous difference between average academic achievement at primary school and achieving little .

or low results it actually says

I would agree that the extremes are real sign posts to likely later achievement. So the child who is significantly behind at the end of KS1 (not just a sub level or two) is pretty likely to be behind throughout. Again, there will be exceptions. Likewise, the occasional child who reaches L4 in KS1 (and it is possible, if extremely unusual) is highly likely to be a high achiever throughout. The out-liers tend to remain in this position.
However, whether someone has got 2B or 2A probably makes little difference.
Remember, correlations exist based on thousands of pupils. There ARE correlations, but many individuals will not fit with them, but broadly, society as a whole will.

However, the statistics for successful outcomes following KS2 SATS make interesting reading. The liklihood of achieving 5 A-C at GCSE if someone has not attained L4B is low and there is a marked difference between those who start secondary with 4C and 4A. Possibly, the 4Cs have been heavily coached and had intervention to scrape across the L4 boundary, but really are not genuine L4s.

DS1 - doing okay to start then suddenly he got it and grew in confidence and now at secondary doing very well.

DD - exceptional from day one. Still is now and probably 3 years ahead in some aspects.

DS2 - slow starter with potential. In the last few months has progressed really well and should be doing very well once he gains in confidence.

Older two at grammar school and on his marks the younger one should go there too.

Hard to compare where the boys are as their sister is so bright but I would say not to worry as ime children can suddenly get it and do well. DD wants to learn but there is an element with the boys that you have to engage them and make it interesting as the ability is there it just needs encouraging.

Birth wise all would be classed as youngest, born March, August and June with DD being the youngest in her class but has always been top so of course it isn't a given.

Dh got 3 As at A level - which is more As than he got at GCSE -then went onto get a 2:1 from a top uni. Think it's fair to say he was a late bloomer

I can also think of other examples - my uncle who failed his 11+ but really blossomed in his teenage years and went onto become a successful headteacher.

The other thing I would say is there is a huge focus on Maths and English at primary level - if your real talents lie outside this rather narrow focus they might not become fully apparent until later. Eg a talent for history or music or foreign languages.

I don't think that you should pigeonhole your DC when they are at primary. My DD has been at the same school since she was 2.10. It is a big school (year group of up to 125) and so I have followed the progress of a lot of DC. They wax and wane - linear progress is rather rate - and some DC who live with high family expectations are already showing signs of mental health issues related to school performance.

So I think it's best to try to relax, to ensure your DC are making regular progress and not let big gaps appear. But don't worry if they aren't top of the class in everything!

Lots more interesting responses - thanks. It's good to hear others' experiences.

As definitely won't be pressurizing my DD: I was what I suppose would be classed as a high achiever throughout my school career and at uni, but I don't honestly think my academic success is the basis of my happiness. On the other hand, I do think having good academic quals and in particular a good grasp of language and good critical thinking skills opens more doors in life.