Would you worry about this?

[startafresh123]

DS is just finishing Y1 and at an independent school. It's relatively academic but none selective if they start in reception.

Got his school report yesterday. He's ahead in his maths but behind in reading and writing. Also sounds like he sits there doing nothing unless they badger him all the time.

He's fairly typical little boy, funny, popular type but quite crazy! Seems bright enough. He has improved loads with reading and writing but he doesn't really like to engage in activities he's not very good at, if that makes sense. e.g. as a toddler didn't really draw for ages.

Is this just what some little boys are like and he will catch up? Or is he likely to always have problems in this area? I'll do loads with him over the summer which will hopefully help to catch him up.

I think my main concern would be why has it not been flagged to you prior & why is he behind eg does he need intervention of some sort.

"behind" versus what measure?

A "none selective" "relatively academic" independent school is likely to have an ability cohort that is higher than average.

He sounds like a typical child (particularly boy) of his age. Have the school suggested any cause for concern or anything you can work on? The end of year report shouldn't be the first time they raise any problems.

They have mentioned it before and he's had extra homework etc. maybe I've just not been doing enough with him at home?

He's on blue books but reading those easily so I think he could go up a stage or two. I'm less worried about his reading but his writing is quite hard to understand.

He's 6! He doesn't need extra homework. Are you reading regularly with him (both him reading to you, and you reading more complex books to him)? That's the main thing you need to do.

It just says 'working towards expected level'. But not sure what the expected level is!

Says read daily throughout the holidays and needs to 'focus on precursive handwriting, making sure it is small and legible without and reversals'. So I guess we just need to practice loads over the summer and see how he is Y2?

We read to him every evening and he reads to us maybe 3 or 4 days a week.

Hi OP, I have two girls in Y1 and one of them sounds very similar to your son. I think some children just develop differently- both of mine were quite slow to have things click with reading and writing. One started to really engage part way through this year and is flying, the other (the one who is also ‘working towards’) is just starting to fall into place, so hopefully will follow a similar trajectory.

I am making a concerted effort over the summer to help maintain momentum with both of them so that they are really solid on y1 content before starting y2. I have a few workbooks, and will do 10 mins more structured learning with these after breakfast, we are doing a ‘summer reading challenge’ where they earn 1p for every page read, and have also planned some fun crafting exercises that are secret writing exercises (summer memory book, writing to friends, etc.)

Thanks @Labraradabrador that's reassuring. Good ideas too!

If it helps ease any anxiety my son was behind in reading & writing. They had a speech delay & it took a long time for reading & then spelling/writing to click. They are now ahead in english.