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Secondary education

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Original poster

I'm sorry - another year 8 levels thread

75 replies

balletgirlmum · 12/07/2015 09:46

Dd seems to have done well according to her report. She has got pretty much got Levels 6A/6b across the board. I should be (and am ) very pleased with her efforts.

However I am concerned she is not being pushed enough. Her end of year exam results are fab. 96% in English joint top in class (100% on the Reading paper) 94% in science overall (top in class)92% for maths. Similar results for history , geography & IT.

The maths report does say she is being given extension work but in the other subjects if she's getting such high marks in her tests why on earth isn't she getting Level 7s? Are they just not teaching & testing to that level?

OP posts:
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Original poster
balletgirlmum · 12/07/2015 12:29

Would particularly be interested in views from teachers.

OP posts:
MaryBerrysEyelashes · 12/07/2015 12:33

levels are GONE

kaboosh

Dont worry about levels

Lurkedforever1 · 12/07/2015 13:10

Wouldn't it be better to look at how easily she's managing the work than what level she's assessed for? So if she's doing homework that's meant to be challenging for her while watching tv, holding a conversation with you and having a text conversation with her friend (and of course asking her how she finds it in class) then you have grounds to believe she isn't being challenged, rather just on levels alone?

Original poster
balletgirlmum · 12/07/2015 13:34

They are still using levels at her school. She has a level for everything. It's the only indicator I have of how she is doing. She didn't do SATS so I've had to learn about them.

I accept that the school is not as academic as the private selective school where she turned down a place but I do want her to be challenged.

The school doesn't give huge amounts of homework. Ds doesn't get home til 7.30-7.45 most nights so tends to save it up till the weekend or does it on the journey.

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MaryBerrysEyelashes · 12/07/2015 13:38

Well they won't next year. Teachers make up levels. Really. Step away

Original poster
balletgirlmum · 12/07/2015 13:49

But that doesn't help me this year does it? Or am I supposed to wait until she's taken her gcses before I know how she is doing? Year 9 is important for her surely.

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Original poster
balletgirlmum · 12/07/2015 13:50

She got the highest & joint highest mark in at least two subjects. Whilst that's fab it concerns me.

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MaryBerrysEyelashes · 12/07/2015 13:53

Oh god she's doing fine. Stop stressing

OddBoots · 12/07/2015 13:57

Levels won't match up to the new GCSEs so although they may give you some kind of idea why might also be giving you a false picture.

My dd is in Y7 but they are using current GCSE grades as a guide, saying what grade they would expect the students to obtain if they were to sit the exam right now - even that isn't entirely accurate though with the changes coming in.

That said, if she is getting such good percentages then it sounds like she is doing well. I wouldn't worry for now but just chat to the teachers in person at the first parents evening next year and take it from there.

cansu · 12/07/2015 13:58

Get a life. That's all really.

Lurkedforever1 · 12/07/2015 13:59

I'm not saying knowing the level she's actually working on isn't important, but I don't personally think the one she's assessed for is the way to decide if she's being challenged work wise. Eg Ks2 only tests to level 6 but it doesn't automatically follow that a child beyond level 6 isn't being challenged beyond that in lessons. I think you need to talk to her and ask her how challenging she feels it is.

HeiressesGiltnor · 12/07/2015 14:02

Someone has to get the highest marks! Hmm it shows that she is successfully grasping what has been taught, not that she isn't being pushed.

Reverse it - if she had done badly and got lower percentages you'd be worried the teaching was poor as she's clearly a capable girl.

And as for why she isn't getting level 7's... She's not working at that level yet, clearly. She's working at a level 6 which for the end of Year 8 is good and shows she is a bright girl.

Your concerns are a bit flawed I think and a little irrational. You are worrying over nothing :-) she's doing well.

HmmAnOxfordComma · 12/07/2015 14:23

Yeah, I think your thinking is flawed. Someone has to get the top mark...

If the whole class, or half the class, got 100%, the test is too exam. If the top mark is 98/94%, it's not.

kilmuir · 12/07/2015 14:30

My DD is year 8 . According to her report she is 7b in English ( top set) and 6b for Maths. ( bottom set) .
She probably sits somewhere in middle of class 'ranking' for those subjects.
I am happy with these, and intend to enjoy the summer. Can't say I have ever taken that much notice of levels. I go more on what teacher and child reports / says

Original poster
balletgirlmum · 12/07/2015 15:11

You see there are no sets. All the teaching is mixed ability at the moment as the year is too small to split. many of the children arnt particularly focused on academics.

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Original poster
balletgirlmum · 12/07/2015 15:12

She has complained in the past that she finds some of the work easy, not so much since Easter (new maths teacher) but in year 7 she said she' done a lot of the work before.

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MaryBerrysEyelashes · 12/07/2015 16:29

yeah well - who cares

She will be fine

Original poster
balletgirlmum · 12/07/2015 16:34

Well you might not care Mary but I blinking well do care about my children's education.

Thanks for nothing.

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Tanaqui · 12/07/2015 16:36

I think you should care- unless she is very very able I don't think she should be getting lots if 100%! Where is the challenge? I would query it.

mumsneedwine · 12/07/2015 16:41

I would be very concerned and would be asking school about setting next year. My year 8s range from 8b in maths, 7b english and 7b science to level 3s, but that is over 3 sets (out of 10). Question the school because she should be given tests, especially in maths, that challenge her - my own DD has just say 2 gCSE papers so school can assess where the class gaps are. It is important as the new exams are going to be tough, and our kids are the guinea pigs, so need to be as prepared as possible. Good luck

Lurkedforever1 · 12/07/2015 16:43

What level of able she is compared to her class shouldn't make a difference, she has a right to be challenged in her work. I think at this point in the year, unless you have a parents eve where you can drop it in naturally I'd leave it, and then if there's no change in the first few werks next term bring it up in a casual way.

Original poster
balletgirlmum · 12/07/2015 16:46

She's been given a maths foundation level textbook by the new teacher & I think he is determined to raise levels.

But science worries me (she wants to potentially do a science a level with a view to a medically based back up/2nd career) she will have to change schools for that.

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ShipwreckedAndComatose · 12/07/2015 16:46

Bloody hell there are some rude comments here!

Science teacher here. If she is scoring in the 90's and getting level 6 then it suggests they are not testing the level 7 stuff.

However, they probably don't just use the exam to level but her performance through the year and, if KS3 runs into year 9 for you, she may well be tested with level 7 work more at this stage. So the exams wouldn't concern me.

However, if she is reporting that she does not feel challenged in lessons, that that is more of an issue. I would leave this year (it's effectively done and dusted) but keep an eye on it for next term and maybe talk to the teachers then.

The one sensible thing Mary said was that levels are going as of next year so keep an eye out for how they plan to report progress to you. OFSYED will not be happy if they continue to report levels into next year.

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 12/07/2015 16:47

Why will she need to change schools?

CamelHump · 12/07/2015 16:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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