School does not report levels apart from at year 2 and 6

[Madsometimes]

I'm just curious really, because reading MN lots of parents are being informed of their children's levels. My children's school does use the optional tests for years 3,4 and 5 but parents are not given levels in the reports. This is a deliberate policy, and I was wondering if our school is unusual doing this...

What happens if you ask? My children's school doesn't give them out but will let you have them if you ask.

Ours didn't. Only yr2 and yr6. Otherwise we'd be told if the child was more or less at his/her expected level. But after the school was critisised for not informing parents of their DCs progress accurately enough they have given out levels at every parents evening and I suspect their might in the reports too.

I would ask if you want to know - I bet they know. They have to give them at the end of the key stages.

My ds's primary don't either. My dd does know some of her optional sats scores, but nothing ever told to us officially.

Of course they will know. All the teachers will be grading the kids on levels at least once a term for reading, writing and maths and probably science. They will probably ask if you tell them, but to be honest, I personally wouldn't worry about it too much. I worked as a teacher until my kids were born and tbh couldn't really give a shit about levels and all that crap, but suppose that's a different argument....
Teaching is all about record keeping imo now and it's all about data and tracking progress etc.... As long as your kids are happy and keepig up with the other kids, I wouldn't let it worry you

I'm just wondering really. The head says he does not believe in labelling children with levels. I guess they would tell me if I asked, but would frown upon it. I don't think I will ask. Her report says she has met the targets for the year and in one or two subjects (art, history) exceeded them, so I'm guessing that as she's in year 3, she is a 3c. It's a bit crazy guessing though isn't it!

Lots of teachers don't like to give out the levels but if you want to know, ask.

our school provides them, we all get them, in a letter. Scores, rather than levels in years 3, 4 and 5

no you're not crazy. It sounds like the head has the right idea. I would be more worried if they are frantically testing the kids all the time because there is no time left for the rest of the curriculum.
I taught a year 2 class and from January onwards we were practising for sats every day, fair enough it was about 4 years ago and now the tests are less formal. But that's alot of test practise for a 6/7 year old!!!
The levels for an average kid are supposed to be 2 year 2 and level 4 in year 6. But it is not a level a year so hard to quantify.
The best thing you could do for your own children is not to concentrate on all that stuff but to read with them at home and help them to have a positive attitude to their work. FGS they have until they are 16 to take their GCSE's and they are what really matter overall.
Sorry rant over. I know you want to know and so would I just out of curiosity but I woudn't get hung up on it

Thanks doggy, I'm not hung up, I just spend too much time in this place! I've got to keep away from the level threads (yikes and I've just created one aaaaargh!)

don't worry about it mad. Will step down off my soapbox now and go back to trying to clean house.... or maybe have another cup of tea first..

We got through primary without knowing any levels except the broad ones at year 2 and 6 (ie: just 5 rather than 5a, b or c). With hindsight it didn't matter one jot although it was mildly irritating at the time.