Year 10 Academic levels

[MrsWorryWart]

What Academic level should a Year 10 Child usually be achieving?

If there are any charts you know of that could help me to work it out in future, I'd really appreciate it.

That's a difficult question to answer.

What is a good level at the end of Y10 for one child might be underachievement for another.

Also, different schools are measuring academic progress in different ways.

Would depend on a few things - end of KS3 levels, GCSE predicted grades, how the school reports.
So - achieving 7a at the end of KS 3 used to translate into a predicted A or A* at GCSE. Some schools have started using the new GCSE levels to report Year 10 progress in some subjects (Maths and English, which the current Y10's will take next year).
I have seen a table that reports level 6 at the end of year 9 as 'average expected' in the same way level 4 is for KS2.
statistics also vary across gender, socioeconomic and ethnic group.
Not very helpful I'm afraid!

In general, y10 children tend to be graded on 'GCSE grades'.

So under the old system, you would hope that a child who got L4s at the end of y6 would be being 'predicted based on current levels and attitude' at least a C (now a GCSE grade 4) for the end of y11.

But obviously a very bright child would have much higher expectations, and a 'low achiever' might be struggling.

You should want to be getting 5s for Maths and English as that is the level for a 'good pass' in future.

(e.g., we were delighted with my DCs 8passes result. My best friend would be devastated if her DC got that as they are on track for 10A/A* grades).

A 5 is considered the new bench mark for English and maths for current year 10 and all other subjects from next year will also be 1-9. But it is about progress for your child so the school should be providing some information for you on that

Schools have their own system so you will need to ask the school.

So sorry for going missing for a few days. I've had a nightmare with my internet!!

Thank you all for the replies. I shall dig her levels out, just to make sure, but i'm sure she was only high level two/low level three. And I know she is now working between level 4/5

Those aren't good levels for end of year 10.

But you must know she's been doing very badly for years.

She was on track for very low GCSE grades in Y6 and she's still on track for that.

But 5 now has two meanings. A GCSE 5 is good and an old level 5 is bad (for Y10).

I suspect you're talking about old level 4s and 5s but it's possible you're not. It's possible she's at GCSE level 5 and is doing very well.

I am very unfortunately talking about old levels.

This has come as a bit of a surprise, due to a change of school and other reasons that are too identifiable. I have no idea how old school have managed, or even would, 'doctor' levels. Or if it's simply a case of us receiving the wrong info.

Sorry, meant to add. DD has Dyslexia.

In that case, I would ask the school what intervention is planned to help her make as much progress as she can in the next year, especially in English and Maths.

There might be some work she can do over the summer holidays to consolidate what she knows so far and boost her confidence.

I am due to have a meeting before the summer break, so I'll start listing questions etc. Your suggestions will definitely be added.

Another question, if that's ok. I'm taking it this will affect any further education choices?

I have a son in Y11 and the options for post-GCSE education do depend on the GCSE grades. However, there are pathways open to all ability levels.

Students who get BBBBBB at his school can stay on to do A-levels, although some A-level courses require an A (e.g. Maths & Chemistry)

Students who get CCCC (including English & Maths) can do a BTEC or similar level 3 course at the local college.

Students who get less than CCCC can do level 2 courses at the local college, which may include continuing to study towards GCSE Maths/English.

Students sitting GCSEs in 2017 will be given a number grade 9-1 for Maths & English. I think colleges will be asking for a grade 4 as the entry requirement to level 3 courses.

I think you can expect her not to get a C in any GCSEs and therefore have different choices for further education then someone who passes.

She certainly won't be able to do A levels but the school leaving age is 18 so there will be something she can do.

The fact she has dyslexia is irrelevant in that it's her GCSE grade that counts.

However you can talk to school about whether she can get help in the exam. Some children with dyslexia get readers, scribes and extra time. I don't know if any of those things would help her but you can think about it.

In the meantime - how is her reading and writing?

Salty, have you considered a more supportive and constructive approach? Your answers are very stark and dismissive, , I would be very upset if you were talking to me.

The Second and Sally have put some of the options clearly but have missed some important ones.

After GCSE the options are

• A levels (not looking suitable, generally need mix of Bs and Cs minimum)
• BTEC Level 3 vocational (mainly need 4 or 5 Cs and at least 1 of English/maths)
• BTEC Level 2 vocational (some Cs, possibly retaking both English & maths)
• Functional level courses
• Apprenticeships (paid ~£160 a week, day release to college)

If I were talking to the school I would be asking re

• scribe
• reader
• extra time
• interventions
• dropping some subjects to provide more time on the others
• apprenticeships
• college options

I would be investigating local colleges within 1 hours travel or so to get a handle on course options.

(My DD is doing a BTEC/A level mix an hour away as A levels were not going to be a suitable route. She has a number of friends on Level 2 courses, some of whom are planning to progress on to Level 3 afterwards).

(or of course paid employment)