PE Attainment grades - confused

[krisE]

Hi,
My daughter is in Year 7 and has just received her interim report.
We are very pleased (relieved due to recent attitude!) that she is doing well in most subjects (Mostly 6C's/ 5a's with a couple of 4a's in new subejcts)
However she got a 3a in PE, which is a little bit worrying/ confusing (as far as I am concerned this puts her about 2 years behind 'average'?) She loves PE, is in the school netball team, is a very good dancer, is in the county development squad for golf and is an excellent swimmer. Have I got the attainment levels wrong (As far as I am aware, mid way through year 7 a child would be expected to be around a 4a/ 5c)
Anyone know??!!

It could easily be a mistake... if she's on school teams, she's unlikey to be a 3!

Could be a mistake? Or they could be treating PE like a new subject?

They may have been learning new sports in PE lessons which would account for low grades - she would expect to be getting 2s or 3s in subjects which she has only started this year, also including new languages.

Don't worry, my DD was getting 3s in year 7 for PE and she is in loads of the school teams and a high level in tennis, the grades depend on what they have been doing in the actual lessons.

It could depend what activities she has been doing in PE as it is often quite difficult to grade children when they have covered a range of sports. They could be a Level 3 in a new activity but a Level 5 in something they participate in after school/club level. I am not a great fan of the descriptors used to help grade students in PE - they have never seemed to be comparable to other subjects.
If you are at all interested these are the level descriptors. www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/secondary/b00198952/pe/ks3/attainment
But I wouldn't worry about the level she has been given - she is obviously doing really well with her sport.

Everyone in DD's PE year got a 2U, irreverent on how well they are doing(and DD is doing very well) they will be set in year 8.

3a is actually what would be expected of a Year 7 in PE so you have absolutely nothing to worry about. I can't speak for other subjects, but according to the National Curriculum, in PE the expectation is that students be a level 5 by the end of Key Stage 3 (Year 9).

Playing for school teams is a great way to improve understanding and practical performance, but doesn't guarantee a higher level - especially if your child is not assessed in the activity she plays competitively. Although she may be an excellent swimmer and outstanding at Golf, these don't often appear as curriculum activities. Unless she has been doing Dance and Netball in her PE lessons this year, it is unlikely that these skills have been assessed. Although certain skills are transferable between activities (such as throwing and catching), they may get bogged down in rules etc, so do not show the full extent of their capabilities.If you are still concerned, speak to her PE teacher for further clarification.

As a point of reference, the highest level I have awarded any of my Year 7's so far this year is 4b (and they are outstanding for their age group). However, as someone else pointed out previously, there isn't anything to worry about. It's far more important that she enjoys her sport and continues with it.

Without wishing to offend anybody, I'd like to know the point of grades for PE. I'm aware that pupils can take it as a GCSE but how do they grade those in years 9-11 who are simply taking part during compulsory lessons.
DH and I argue about this as when I receive the children's progress reports I really don't care about their PE grades, but DH says that they should be much higher I think he's a bit embarrassed by their PE grades as he was very sporty at school.
My children are all fit and healthy and walk everywhere. We swim regularly and ride bikes, but the teenagers are not involved in team sports. Are PE grades important for college/university?