Does performance in Reception set the standard for the rest of school or can they turn it around?

[DrNortherner]

Just got ds's report after his first year at school. He scored below average on most things. I know there has been issues with his behaviour this year but it is improving and we are working with the school.

I am dissapointed as I know he can do better than he has at school. For example, they say he can only count to ten. When I know for a fact he can count to 100. Plus a few other examples.

So, for some reason he is not fulfilling his potential in the classroom. I feel there has been a personality clash with his teacher who is always on his casem and feel his desire to please her has not been ignited.

I have great hope that after the summer holidays, as a bit older with a new teacher he can have a new start. Is this niave or did your child do this?

you are not thinking straight

of course children change and grow after reception

dd1 has really blossomed in the final term of year 2

Thanks Enid

PFb you see - having a mini wobble. It's allowed isn't it?

I would say it can click at any time, and especially if there's been a clash with the teacher. Don't despair

yes I was in bits after dd1s reception year

honestly she is like a differnt child

year one and the first term of year 2 was quite shit though

I think a lot of the problem is the ethos of the foundation stage. Its a lot of box ticking. Maybe he has refused to count further than 10 for the teacher/ LSA so hasn't had that particular box ticked.

There is still plenty of time and I believe as they get up the school assessment becomes more formal rather than based on the opinion of one teacher.

Northerner, you and your ds have had so many run-ins with the teacher this last year that tbh I'm not entirely surprised at the disappointing report. Not very professional of the teacher but then she's proved that in the past hasn't she? (her comment about your ds's "another bad choice" when running out of school to meet you springs to mind ).

Do you have a "settling in" meeting with the new teacher at all at the end of this term/beginning of next term? Could you talk to the new teacher about the personality clash without it coming across as a criticism of the other teacher (after all, even the best and nicest teachers will have kids they don't "gel" with). In particular to say that he can do much more than his report suggests but that behaviour has been an issue. It might help to put your mind at rest.

FWIW, dd2 had a personality clash with her teacher when she first started school and I do think that it held her back a bit. The teacher was excellent, very professional, but dd2 got into a pattern of bad behaviour/punishments and found it hard to break free. When she moved to another school she declared she was going to "turn over a new leaf" (she was 6 at the time) and since then has settled down and behaved much better, and her work has improved as a result. (we also talked to her about it being a good opportunity to move away from the "naughty child" label). HTH.

oh yes, reception is just playing really. Lots and lots and LOTS AND LOTS (are you getting it ) of children change as they go through school. KS1 (right up to the end of yr2) seems to be to be really about getting them reading and writing in preparation for the juniors.

I also find different teachers have brought out different aspects of my children. Don't sweat!

That's a good point about the box ticking. Had not thought of it like that.

You want their first report to say 'pleasure to teach/lovely boy etc etc' don't you? And it doesn't.......

Yes Mioau you are right (well remembered!) so I am no suprised really.

A chat with his new teacher is a good idea me thinks. She does seem lovely I must say.

I see reception as getting used to just being at school and an introduction to learning. That's it. Just a toe in the water.

I think it's so easy to (including me at times ) get too swept along with the idea that as soon as they hit school they must from day 1 in reception be setting the academic world on fire.

They're still so very little though and in some countries wouldn't even be in school at 4 and 5.

I used to fret about all this much more with dd1, but I can see with hindsight now I have younger ones coming up behind that they do adjust and will get there.

This first year is a drop in the ocean compared to another 10 or 11 years of F/T school.

I noticed a couple of boxes not ticked on my dt's report about things I know full well they can do perfectly well. It'll all be demonstrated to the teacher in due course I guess.