Y2 child Working Towards report rating - should I worry?

[SunshineHere21]

Just received Y2 autumn term report and child is rated as WT (working towards) in most areas. Does anyone have experience of their child being 'rated' as WT and then moving to Expected or Greater Depth as they've got older and more confident throughout their primary school journey? What can I do to try and get them to transition to Expected? I'm speaking with the teachers as well but just wondering if anyone had any experience? Huge thanks in advance.

I would say continue to listen to them read every day. Read to them as well, books they like - and talk about them with them. Then have a look at what skills they're supposed to have at that age and practice some of them - some times tables for example. Definitely find out from the teachers any areas that they are particularly struggling with and do some practice in those areas even if it means buying some work books and just doing a bit every weekend.

Firstly, don't worry too much! I think it can be a huge and unnecessary pressure, plus they can change really quickly anyway. Mine both spent 2.5 terms of every year in primary school behind where they needed to be, then flew up in the last few weeks. (Both August babies but vastly different in temperament and ability).

If the teachers are concerned, definitely reading and practicing things at home will be hugely helpful. The more consolidation of learning you can do at home, the easier the new stuff is at school.

Have you spoken to your child’s teacher? You need to know his gaps to help him. Are there sounds he still doesn’t know? If so you can practice these with him. Hear him read daily to help speed and fluency. Is he secure with number bonds to 50/100? Knows his 2/5/10 tables and division facts? Can he write a properly punctuated sentence?
I’d be looking at these things and working at home to help. I would let necessary worry but your report tells you your son has slipped behind and if you you want to help him catch up you need a clear picture of what’s lacking.

I would assume your DC is graded as Working Towards because they have only completed the first term of Y2? DC cannot be at Expected or Greater Depth as they have not yet covered all the curriculum for Y2?

Could be that - working towards against end of year targets OR WT for this point in the year. Only really know from a chat with teachers.

Yes definitely check this first!

And yes, children can catch up but generally the earlier gaps are filled, the better. So working at home on key areas esp reading & number facts will really help

Honestly the best thing you can do is read with him.

Reading will for the basis of everything else.

Doesn't matter what it is, whatever he is into. Pokemon books, Minecraft ones, lego magazines. But read and discuss what he is reading.

Were they expected at end of year 1? If so, is it that they are working towards the end of year 2 criteria and next term should be at expected? That would be what I would want to know from the teacher,

Plenty of schools will assess students against end of year judgements throughout the year, so most children will be "working towards" until summer term. I would clarify with the school.

My husband's school uses a maths assessment tool that assesses year 4 children on year 4 and 5 maths. It drives him up the wall, because they're being asked to answer questions that wont be covered for another 15-18 months!

Some of the curriculum is covered in the first term. Teachers should assess on that work. So plenty should be expected in the first term. I’ve never heard of dc being assessed on the curriculum the year above. That’s madness. And unfair.

I would ask the school for the curriculum overview for maths and literature etc and for info on how you can help. Dc are likely to move to expected but dc need to embed things like tables and spellings in order to progress. Obviously not all move up to the next level but it’s early days.