Just how good is this level?

[Historacle]

DD in year 7 has had current levels home this week and I was delighted, and a bit surprised, to see that she is a 6a in History, delighted for her because it's always been her favourite subject. I know it's a good level, this isn't a stealth boast, but I'm just curious as to HOW good as the info provided is a bit woolly and completely understandably gives no idea of KS3 -> GCSE grades.

Thanks.

Level 6 in year 7 is good in any subject. Levels only go up to 8 and most will be level 6 in year 9.

My dd is top sets for everything in her school. She's in Yr9, and currently tipping 6cs, and 6bs for most subjects. She has the odd assessment come in at L7, and the odd one come in at 5a, but as I say, she's Yr9 and in the top group for her school.

Thanks.

Is History a core subject? And are children able in this subject generally given the opportunity for extension opportunities in the same way as subjects like maths?

History is not core. They can opt to keep or drop it for GCSE. There are no extension subjects but pupils who are good at History are often good at English/RE/ Govt and Politics and Sociology ime (head of history dept)

Bajas - she is good at english and r.e too!

Bit young for sociology yet.

I'm very proud of her.

You should be

A good history teacher should be able to extend a child well by the sort of questions they ask them to tackle. Also your dd can self extend by reading around the subject.

DD1 is in Yr7 and at this level, and she is definitely getting extension opportunities - she's one of only 4 Yr7s to be part of an international project to design a memorial for the 1914 Christmas Truce. AFAIK history is a core subject - it's certainly part of the Idiot Gove's various grand academic schemes. Her school still calls it G&T, which is annoying, but all children on that list get extension opportunities.

Teachers of ANY subject should be extending their most able students. It would be expected by their HTs and certainly by OFSTED. In my school, there is a folder of HOTs questions in the room for students to tackle. I think they encourage students to think in more depth or from another angle.

Ds,Y7, is working at level 6 (English,maths, science) with the odd bit assessed as level 7. He is not in top sets, or even top of the sets he is in.

I've been given the impression he is maybe slightly above average-but certainly not gifted.

Wow, happy - must be a very bright cohort, or a selective school? DD1 is definitely top set in everything, but she is in a large, non-selective comprehensive with 8 classes per year group.

Working at a 6a in history in y7 is very good, especially as its a a foundation subject and you would expect lower grades as it hasnt been covered in primary. It means she has good skills that will stand her I'm good stead

Please be aware that this is what your child is working at now and can fluctuate and don't be disappointed if it goes down next assessment (or up)

There's a lot of subject to cover yet so its not quite the same as a ks3 level 6a but its a very good grade

BoundandRebound - not quite sure I understand what you mean when you say that it's not quite the same as a ks3 level 6a? Year 7 is in ks3, no?

I meant end of key stage 3 as in year 9 when a high 5/ 6 is the national expectation. But I only meant in terms of the amount of work covered over the next 2 years if you see what I mean.