Expected progress from ks1 to ks2

[houseofboys]

I've recently been told that my son might get a 2c in writing this summer in KS1 Sats, which given he was very late to even get interested in writing/drawing I was fine about. But as a newish governor I found out that children who get 2cs struggle to get expected standard at KS2 of a 4. Does that mean I have to take yr 2 Sats as a semi-serious indicator of future ability? I was banking on him being a late developer. I know its only statistics and there will be some who won't conform, but how much movement is there (ie lower performers at yr 2 Sats coming top in yr 6 and vice versa?) Or is it really only the level 3 achievers in yr 2 who get the 5s in yr6? (sorry for all level talk)

Well I don't know the statistics but dd got 1a and 1b in her y2 SATs but got three 5's in year six. She was late to start to learn and junior school had a different approach that suited her better and she soon caught up.

It can be an indication that a child may find it difficult to attain level 4 in Year 6; there is an interention strategy used in Y3 called Quest which is specifically for 2c writers, to help them catch up.

However, it is also very common for children who are late developers to get a 2c in Year 2 and positively flourish in KS2 - I can think of countless children who have done just that and gone on to achieve level 5s. Just keep an eye on his progress from now on - but you don't necessarily need to discount level 5s at this stage!

intervention strategy

Btw, the result which will be reported to you will be a teacher assessment, not the SAT results.

I wouldn't worry too much tbh dd should be off to Cambridge next year so the level 1's did her no harm whatsoever.

Really encouraged to read this. My fear would be a low score in KS1 sets might lead to a low/bottom set scenario going forward which means confidence might dip and lower attainment going forward. Children have a habit of living up to the expectations we place upon them be they low or high etc.

Glad to hear there's every chance most children reach their potential in the end.

Good luck to your son houseofboys, sounds like he's doing fine.

Thanks all, thats encouraging. It was my instinct that he is just a bit late maturing, but do feel Cortina, that you are right about expectations - certainly feel he's been labelled a bit by school as a daydreamer who doesn't push himself enough. Sure I was too at six but then schools seemed a bit more flexible in 70s/80s to today.

Bear in mind that some children do have physical problems with writing that need a different approach too, e.g. pencil grip, achey hand etc. It also means that some children need to go back and cover the basics a bit before pressing on with cursive writing and the like. I have done this with my son who has been seeing an occupational therapist for motor control and coordination issues and this has made a real difference.

I don't think it is a final indicator of where children are likely to end up but I also think that improvements are often the result of intervention of one form or another and that there is a limited time frame for a child to be left to see if they just naturally catch up. Be vigilant!!