Help - what does it mean?

[Darem]

Just come back from parents evening and whilst everything seems to be good, I'm not sure what it all means? The teacher rattled off a load of info and I just nodded as if I knew what he was on about!

I know my son did Sats at the end of year 2 but apparently has done QCAs. Not heard of these before - are these a new thing? Son is in Year 3.

His results are 4c for reading, 3a for writing and 4c for numeracy. For this last one - numeracy, the teacher said HIS assessment was a 3a.

Any info on what this all means would be much appreciated!
thanks!

Not exactly sure what QCA refers to, but schools do have the ability to do yearly tests that are the annual equivalent of the KS1 and KS2 tests. So there would be a test for a year 3 pupil etc

Your son will take his KS2 tests in year 6, where if they are average (hate the word) they would be expected to get level 4B. So if your son is getting in year 3, level 4c in reading, level 3a in writing and 4c in numeracy I would say he was doing very well.

He should progress at two sublevels per year so if he is level 4c now he should be at 4a in year4, 5b in year 5 and 6c in year 6. But being reasonable these results should not be seen in isolation and need to be taken in conjunction with previous year's results. They may not progress as quickly next year as is predicted.

they're referring to national curriculum levels with the 4c,3a and so on. The QCA is here, basically one of the national frameworks which sets out standards.

this might also help a bit. If you need more or clearer explanation, please ask!!

Thank you very much! That definately helps!

Just a word of caution on the "6c" in year 6.... In the year 6 SAT's, if they get more than the 4c, 4b, 4a levels then obviously you would expect to see 5c, 5b, 5a etc.

You won't.

You will simply get a 5. they don't break it out and they can't get a 6 from the SAT's tests as they aren't designed to test this high. Obviously the teacher can teach to this level but just expect a 5 in the test.

Hi,

When the teacher refers to QCAs, it would be what we call the 'optional' SATs tests - exactly the same format as the Y6 ones, but not sent away to be externally marked.

Your son's levels are really very good! If I was his Y3 teacher, I'd be more than happy. What the teacher means by saying he'd say your son is a 3a rather than the 4c he got in the test is that, going on day-to-day performance in maths lessons, that's a more realistic level than the one your son got on one day in a test.