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

[seeker]

....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?

Just a quick note re helping other children - ?teaching? has been shown to be one of the strongest ways of building long term success in any subject not just superficial ??learning?? as it helps the ?teacher? reinforce their own knowledge and also see other connections/relationships and builds many other skill sets including confidence

Blessingdragon - that's interesting. My dd was not a high flier at all, but was very good at helping others who ere struggling a bit. I was always happy for her to do it - it did wonders for her confidence and reinforced her learning. She also learnt some important lessons about sensitivity to others and tact. I've never really understood why people don't like their children doing this.

I think people see it as the child doing the teacher job, as if the teacher is too occupied to give them ?new work? - while extension is important for bright children - there are many other skills children need for the real world

I got told DS1 was 4c at maths sometime in Yr3.
It never occurred to me to be worried about it. .
He's not the top ability student in his Yr for maths, so the school has a fair few high achievers to cater for.
I'm more worried about whether he has the patience to deal with boring things at school, a good circle of friends, any interests outside of school, etc.

We learn

10% of what we read
20% of what we see
30% of what we hear
50% of what we see and hear
70% of what we discuss with another person
85% of what we experience personally
and
95% of what we teach...
so it definitely isn't a child doing the teacher's job.

mrz - that's a great explanation, and Blessing dragon, I'm so glad you made that point. We're nowhere near this sort of stage, DD being only just 5, but I've often read comments about children being apparently short-changed because they're 'made' to teach the less able ones, and my gut feel has always been that this is a FANTASTIC way to learn. I've gone through a number of iterations of my career, and I've always felt that nothing tests my knowledge and understanding of my current role than being asked to explain it to someone else, or even more, to hand over a responsbility and ensure that someone else 'gets' it.

;)

My Ds2 is in yr6 and at his school a few of the children go to maths 'master classes' at secondary school

No. I wouldn't be worried. In fact I would view it as one less thing to worry about.

I would also view it as one less thing to worry about. There are lots of really bright DCs in primary schools-tachers are pleased to have them! They do master classes at secondary schools in my area for yr 5 and 6-there is never a shortage of suitable children. I shouldn't get hung up on levels.