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Primary education

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Original poster

Daughter (9) is a year behind at school

90 replies

Ouuc · 05/05/2025 12:21

My daughter is in year 4 / 9 years ago. At home we are working through year 3 CGP books (maths and English) and she finds some aspects of these challenging and her reading level is Oxford Level 12, which is about a year below where she should be.

Her school added her to an English booster club during the Spring term, and she also has been seeing a private tutor since January.
However, she is still finding things a struggle.

Inknow some children have a 121/ group LSA. I was wondering if I should ask the school to incorporate some sessions with the LSA or am I barking up the wrong tree.

. She is generally better at arithmetic, where is is working at her expect level. She has had a negative dyslexia screening at school

H

OP posts:
Firenzeflower · 05/05/2025 12:26

Have her assessed for dyslexia. It's expensive but given how much you're spending on tutors it's worth the investment.
I know it's hard to believe but she will catch up once you work out what's going on.

Original poster
Ouuc · 05/05/2025 12:38

Firenzeflower · 05/05/2025 12:26

Have her assessed for dyslexia. It's expensive but given how much you're spending on tutors it's worth the investment.
I know it's hard to believe but she will catch up once you work out what's going on.

The SENCO did a screening assessment and discussed the results with a dyslexia assessor. Their conclusion was she doesn’t have dyslexia.

OP posts:
Geneticsbunny · 05/05/2025 12:51

A year behind isn't all that bad especially at that age. Do you think it's reflective of how much she is able to explain or understand verbally? If there is a gap between the two then that would suggest a learning disability of some sort. If not then maybe she just isn't very academic.

I am sure there are other things she is good at? Sport? Crafts? Being creative? Languages? Social skills? I would just find something she enjoys and is good at and push her to improve at that and keep the academic support bubbling along without making it too much of a big deal. Then she will be able to grow in confidence in herself which will help with academic confidence in the longer term too.

DeafLeppard · 05/05/2025 12:53

How much does she read? This will really help, more so than doing books.

Firenzeflower · 05/05/2025 15:35

@Ouuc Yes the Senco concluded my DD wasn't dyslexic and she very much is.
I would still get her assessed. A good EP can give you tips as to where she needs help.

Original poster
Ouuc · 05/05/2025 16:18

DeafLeppard · 05/05/2025 12:53

How much does she read? This will really help, more so than doing books.

She reads for 10 minutes every morning. She isn’t much of a reader; I try and get her to read in the afternoon after school but she is very reluctant.
I will redouble my focus, even 5 extra minutes would help.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouuc · 05/05/2025 16:20

Geneticsbunny · 05/05/2025 12:51

A year behind isn't all that bad especially at that age. Do you think it's reflective of how much she is able to explain or understand verbally? If there is a gap between the two then that would suggest a learning disability of some sort. If not then maybe she just isn't very academic.

I am sure there are other things she is good at? Sport? Crafts? Being creative? Languages? Social skills? I would just find something she enjoys and is good at and push her to improve at that and keep the academic support bubbling along without making it too much of a big deal. Then she will be able to grow in confidence in herself which will help with academic confidence in the longer term too.

She just seems to have lots of gaps in her knowledge. The school agree, and have marked her as “working towards” on most subjects.

OP posts:
CCLCECSC · 05/05/2025 16:20

What sort of books is she reading? Perhaps look at different genres or types of books to engage her more.

GetMeOutOfHere20 · 05/05/2025 16:21

Or just chill she’s 9

Ohdearwhatnow4 · 05/05/2025 16:22

When is her birthday, as sometimes younger children take longer. Also have the school actually said she's a year behind? X

Whoarethoseguys · 05/05/2025 16:26

Ouuc · 05/05/2025 16:18

She reads for 10 minutes every morning. She isn’t much of a reader; I try and get her to read in the afternoon after school but she is very reluctant.
I will redouble my focus, even 5 extra minutes would help.

Show quote history

What are her interests? What does she do in her spare time ? Can you get her books that relate to that. It doesn't matter what it is or whether the books are 'good literature ' anything is a goor start. She might be more enthusiastic to read Comics, graphic novels or factual books.
Does she like listening to stories? Do you read to her still?
if she enjoys reading she will read more because it won't be a chore.

AnonWho23 · 05/05/2025 16:31

Try the reading eggs and math seeds app. Thet do a free trial. My DD is 6 and in year one. She's currently a free reader. I put it down to reading eggs and fast phonics. She's also ahead in Maths. We do 10 minutes of reading eggs and Mathseeds a day. They have an older programmethat's avaliable. Its worth a try. I also print of the worksheets. In summer we do the summer catch holidays sheets. You do a placement test and it put you at the right level.

Eyerollexpert · 05/05/2025 16:45

OP when you said she reads for 10 mins every morning did you mean she does this alone or with you?
Read together if your not, she is not too old for you to read at bedtime with her, you read a page she reads a page, Pick a book she will enjoy not the stuffy school books that get sent home, ask her questions about what she is reading to check for understanding. Reading is the key to most other lessons.

cloudjumper · 05/05/2025 16:58

Would you consider getting a tutor? My DD is also 9, and we’ve had ham tutor for her for about 2 years now - best thing we ever did.

LizzieBet14 · 05/05/2025 17:04

Hi - these are good questions to ask while she's reading or afterwards - just answering 2/3 each time can make a big difference.

https://www.literacyshedblog.com/uploads/1/2/5/7/12572836/ks2readingg_vipers.pdf

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 05/05/2025 17:04

Have you had her eyesight and hearing checked? My brother struggled and turned out his eyesight was an issue.

LizzieBet14 · 05/05/2025 17:06

Ps the dyslexia screeners aren't always accurate (I've had some negative responses for children in my class who most definitely are) - if you can afford a diagnostic test then go for it as it will give you a definitive answer that the screeners don't.

Labraradabrador · 05/05/2025 18:24

If you want to have her retested I would get an ed psych rather than another dyslexia screener. my dc was having trouble with reading and writing, negative on dyslexia screener but when we had her assessed by an ed psych she found a visual processing disorder that sometimes overlaps with dyslexia but is not dyslexia. Dyslexia screeners just look for dyslexia, so might miss something else going on.

Original poster
Ouuc · 05/05/2025 19:13

CCLCECSC · 05/05/2025 16:20

What sort of books is she reading? Perhaps look at different genres or types of books to engage her more.

She likes “girlie” books - hate using that term but Jacqueline Wilson and fairy/ unicorn books.

I will try a different genre… it just so hard to get her to sit and read.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouuc · 05/05/2025 19:33

AnonWho23 · 05/05/2025 16:31

Try the reading eggs and math seeds app. Thet do a free trial. My DD is 6 and in year one. She's currently a free reader. I put it down to reading eggs and fast phonics. She's also ahead in Maths. We do 10 minutes of reading eggs and Mathseeds a day. They have an older programmethat's avaliable. Its worth a try. I also print of the worksheets. In summer we do the summer catch holidays sheets. You do a placement test and it put you at the right level.

I will give the reading seeds ago. Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouuc · 05/05/2025 19:40

Ohdearwhatnow4 · 05/05/2025 16:22

When is her birthday, as sometimes younger children take longer. Also have the school actually said she's a year behind? X

Her birthday is in December. They have said she is ‘working towards’ her expected standard but they havent explicitly said she is a year behind. They have provide some help so they recognise there is an issue

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouuc · 05/05/2025 19:41

Eyerollexpert · 05/05/2025 16:45

OP when you said she reads for 10 mins every morning did you mean she does this alone or with you?
Read together if your not, she is not too old for you to read at bedtime with her, you read a page she reads a page, Pick a book she will enjoy not the stuffy school books that get sent home, ask her questions about what she is reading to check for understanding. Reading is the key to most other lessons.

She reads alone, occasionally I will ask her to read aloud, so I can listen to her.

OP posts:
SlieveMiskish · 05/05/2025 19:42

Turn on the subtitles on the tv if she’s watching it..

Stegochops · 05/05/2025 19:45

Are other family members academic, or not?

Personally I would forget the screening and get her assessed. Instead of doing a dyslexia assessment you could get an educational psychologist’s report. This will include IQ and strengths and weaknesses.

She is still very young and has time to develop and shine in her own right. Make sure you build up her confidence with other things as I’m sure you are doing 😊

TeenToTwenties · 05/05/2025 19:46

Reading in primary made sod all difference to my DD. Everyone says 'oh read' ignoring the fact that dyslexic children find it hard which is why they are reluctant in the first place. DD also passed dyslexia screening in primary.

Shouldn't have listened to either school. We got a full bank of tests done in y12. Dyslexia, slow processing a few other things too.