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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

I'm not a pushy mum, honestly, and I hate myself for asking this question...

35 replies

seeker · 01/04/2009 18:22

....but if your year 3 child was at Level 4c in all subjects at this stage in the school year, would you be worried about the next 2.5 years? He gets lots of extension work and at the moment is busy and happy (the two things go together with him!) but if he carries on at 2 sub levels a year he'll be at level 5 at the end of year 4 or the beginning of year 5 - what then?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

FAQinglovely · 01/04/2009 18:23

level what? who, where??? huh?

is this SATS related

fruitshootsnweaveseasterbasket · 01/04/2009 18:27

As a mum of a year 3 child who is really struggling I say no I wouldn't be worried just very pleased he is doing so well. I wouldn't worry unless he starts to get bored.

FAQinglovely · 01/04/2009 18:29

I've got a DS in YR3 - I couldn't even start to tell you what level he's at let alone what level 4c actually means

TheFallenMadonna · 01/04/2009 18:29

Well, my ds is above that now in maths, but only maths, and it doesn't bother me because he is also extended and happy.

sarah293 · 01/04/2009 18:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ramonaquimby · 01/04/2009 18:31

I htink you just have to wait and see - and of course keep it monitored . as long as teachers are stretching him appropriately (not letting him finish work and then 'helping' others ) might be ok. he might also level out.

mumnosbest · 01/04/2009 18:32

If his school/teachers are good, then I wouldn't worry, they'll keep him moving. ime kids slow down in Y3/4 and a good level 5 by the end of Y6 is good

Original poster

seeker · 01/04/2009 18:37

I know - I'm just having a panic and I'll go back to normal in a couple of hours. I know that I've got nothing to worry about, and I know EXACTLY what I would say to anyone else who posted like this, but my laissez-faire attitude has been temporarily rocked!

They are SATS levels - they assess them regularly at the school because there is a history of significant underachievement which the Head is addressing.

OP posts:

mumnosbest · 01/04/2009 18:40

I wouldn't get too hung up on levels (especially SATs - but that's another topic). Sounds like you should be proud, he's doing well and he's happy

bronteE · 01/04/2009 18:41

If you look at the levels as strands: you have got 5 to go before the top of 5: 4b, 4a,5c,5b,5a: These are very detailed with lists of things to achieve in each strand, and also, don't forget that what your child achieves a 4c on now, is based on easier tasks compared to a yr 6 task. I'm not sour graping here: my son is also on level 4s and in yr 3, so I know where you are coming from.

madairyMilkEggday · 01/04/2009 18:44

If he's happy and busy, what more could you want? The SATS levels don't mean a great deal in the scheme of things, secondary teachers won't give a flying fig what level they got at y2 for eg. I wouldn't worry, he sounds like he's doing really well and the school are pushing him on, I'm sure if it becomes a problem they will deal with it, they are trained to. well done to your son.

Original poster

seeker · 01/04/2009 18:54

I know. Thank you all. I found myself thinking "Oh God, I should be DOING something!" I needed a slap, really!

OP posts:

PrimulaVeris · 01/04/2009 18:59

I'd be filling in the oxbridge application forms within 2 years rather than 2.5. submitting within a year may be seen as pushy though

Don't worry!!! He's obviously v. bright indeed

brimfull · 01/04/2009 18:59

my dd was on these levels in yr 3
she was suitable challenged throughout her primary yrs but we did question the amount of help she was giving to less able pupils.

SHe however enjoyed giving help to others .

We didn't have to do anything...relax

btw she's now in yr 12 and doing fine

cory · 01/04/2009 19:05

Yes, you should be Doing Something. You should be talking to your son about things that interest you, you should show him you are pleased with his progress, you should provide him with an array of interesting books and occasionally take him out to interesting places. In fact all the things that You Are Doing.

Pat on the back.

btw ggirl, I like your dd spent a lot of primary school helping others, and I have found it a great preparation for my life as an academic teacher. Highly educational.

missmapp · 01/04/2009 19:15

The move from 4c to 5a is very big as there is a lot expected from children as they move into level 5. It is hard for children who reach high levels early as they often do not reach there 2 sub levels 'target' but are still doing VERY well.

missmapp · 01/04/2009 19:15

Original poster

seeker · 01/04/2009 19:35

Thank you cory - I Can Do That! I'm Good at Doing That!

OP posts:

MagNacarta · 01/04/2009 19:42

I have a dd in yr5 who got 5a's in all her recent assessments. I asked what they'd be giving her for the next 18 months and was told that they will begin looking at some of the secondary school curriculum. As long as she doesn't get bored and is happy then I'm happy. In our case dd isn't the only one in her class, in fact I believe there are quite a few so the school are making plans. I don't know if they'd have the same approach if she was the only one.

myredcardigan · 01/04/2009 19:53

Basically at Y3 getting a L4 is just an indication that the child needs to be extended and should reach L5 in Y6 SATs.

There is a vast difference between L4 on say a Y3 SATs paper and L4 in a Y6 SATs paper. Unless he is truly gifted then I would say it would be unlikely he would get L4 if he took a Y6 paper tomorrow. I have had quite a few Y3 children get L4 at the end af Y3 and none were gifted,just very bright and they all went on to get solid L5s in Y6.

There is huge scope for learning between what he will have covered so far and what he will do in the next 3yrs. As long as he continues to be tracked and extended and he is enjoying school then I really wouldn't worry.

myredcardigan · 01/04/2009 19:58

And everything Cory said!

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 01/04/2009 22:04

No, I wouldn't worry Seeker. DD1 was the same. She hit level 5 at the end of Year Four but she had plenty to keep her busy for year 5 and 6. There were other children like her in her year group so she wasn't out on a limb and they did get extension work.

themildmanneredjanitor · 01/04/2009 22:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Slambang · 01/04/2009 22:17

Above average. Normal.
Some kids are above, some below, some spot on. That's what makes an average average. Not a lot to worry about!

Piffle · 01/04/2009 23:33

Fwiw my ds1 was level 5 in maths from yr3 and from yr4 in English
He did get bored but different schools do different things
Best approaching the school and asking their plans.

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