why such low target grades?

[delmonton]

I would really appreciate some help with the school report we've just received for our DS who is in year 10. He started at the school in March of year 9 so they haven't known him very long.

English, current est grade, B, controlled assessment, A, target grade C. If he's getting an A in assessed work at the beginning of year 10, why would he be predicted a C? Under the comments the teacher notes he has achieved well above his target grade.

In Science, he got an A in his controlled assessment with a target grade of C. Under the comments the teacher notes he exceeded his target grade in the assessment, so he hopes he will achieve his target grade of C in the exam

Am I missing something?

you need to get the school to explain! Contact his form tutor / make an appointment with relevant teachers...

Are those target grades the ones that were set at the start of KS4, based on his levels at the end of Y9?

If so then he is exceeding his targets - they'd predicted a C, he's achieving A.

But yes, you'll need to talk to his teachers - drop the HOY or his form tutor a line.

I left a message for his hoy this morning, so I expect I will hear back soon. Thanks very much.

Has he done Yellis tests or similar this year? What were his KS2/KS3 grades?

I don't know anything about Yellis tests. He was entered into levels six to eight tier for maths and they put him in the top sets. He only came to us less than 3 years ago, and was initially at a different school as we needed to move house to get him into somewhere better. We never got his grades.

Thanks for your interest. I will update when I hear from his hoy.

Could they be minimum target levels/grades.

well, I suppose they must be. But why set a minimum target grade, a target is what you aim for!

The target grade may be taken from something called FFT (fischer family trust). This data is sent to the school and targets are set by FFT based on pupils' prior attainment in KS2 SATS, CATs scores etc etc. The targets are externally set. So, if your DS is exceeding his target at this stage in Y10 that's great; his teachers should have the option of now raising his target beyond the externally set FFT one.

Hope that makes sense!

As ifitoldyou said.

These are usually sent to school in October of yr10. As you say the school don't know your son, they've probably based their targets on these. I'm sure they will revise them if he keeps doing so well.
Personally, as. Teacher I wouldn't revise a target based off a controlled assessment mark. A lot of kids can exceed their target by more than one grade. In science, CA is only 25%. Is wait until I had evidence from a module result or similar class assessments.
I would insist as a mother it is changed by end of the year though (if he keep exceeding it ). When he applies for college, most colleges ask for target grades.

The school called me back and said it is based on the grades he got at his previous school but the subject teachers are going to call me to discuss raising his target grades.

Thanks for your valuable input!

Oh good :)