No progress in English or Science - Years 7/8

[Gilnahirk]

My son in Year 8 has made no progress in English or Science since starting secondary school, according to the school's own performance information. Still 4b English and 5a/b Science.

Just to be clear, these are not the levels from his primary school, they are the grades he was given in his first term at secondary.

Does this often happen? And would it be reasonable to attribute it partly to the lack of homework in these subjects? (only half a dozen English homeworks since the start of Year 7, a few more in Year 7 Science but only 3 in Year 8 Science).

Any comments or suggestions would be very welcome.

Are you able to email the subject teachers? My DS had a similar issue with English in Y7/8 (sort of, he did progress, just slowly), which was resolved by this means. Impressively, I had an extremely detailed response to my concerns within two hours. Less impressively, was the fact my DS hadn't been doing any of the extension work set to progress more quickly

This does often happen with students in year 7 and 8, but if it continues into year 9 it's big concern, I feel that year 9 is where students really get to grips with subjects and learn to like them more, progress in year 8 is essential

I'd be concerned - I have a DD in Yr7 and she is on course to make 2 sublevels by the end of the year, based on the secondary school's assessment of her level at mid-autumn term, not SATs. DD also gets at least one piece of homework a week in English, Maths and Science, and often more - and she gets homework for History, Geography, RE and ICT as well. This is in a normal state school rated 'Good'.

I would be talking to the school, and if there are any fobbing-off kind of noises I'd be going elsewhere.

We expect most students to make 2 sub-levels progress every year, so if he was given a 4b at the start of year seven, I would hope for a 5c at the end of year seven and then a 5a at the end of year eight. Not every pupil will make it though. Have the school indicated why he has not made progress? Is his attendance good? Does he have any additional needs?

Thanks for your comments everyone.

He has 100% attendance so that's not the problem. He's slightly below average by his CAT scores, but I still think he should have made some progress. His other subjects are gradually improving.

His end-of-year target for English is 5a. I tried emailing the English teacher about homework before Christmas, but didn't get a reply. However, he now has 2 new English teachers.

I spoke to the head of year yesterday and he is now supposed to be investigating the lack of homework. The school has been 'good' in its last 2 Ofsted reports and gets slightly above average GCSE results. But I never felt my older son (now in 6th form) got enough homework in the first few years, and it seems nothing has changed.

I will probably just have to keep plugging away, as I still think the school is still better than the 2 alternatives.

Thanks again for your thoughts.