English grades in year 7-9 - should I be concerned?

[OtterL]

Hi, first time secondary school parent here. My son goes to a small independent school for secondary - we sent him there as he was diagnosed with mild dyslexia and we thought the smaller classes would help. For the past two years, we ve been told he is doing fine in English for example, and then his report comes through and he graded the equivalent of an 3 or 2 in English (ie not a pass grade). We ve not been too concerned as we thought it would improve and each parents evening we were told he was doing fine and we had no need to be concerned. Now that he is in year 9, I am quite concerned. Have raised this with the school and it’s clear they think I am stressing over nothing… am I or is it reasonable to expect clear feedback from the school on where he is struggling, where the gaps are etc so that we can help him at home, look into getting a tutor etc?

I would definitely be worried in your situation - you are not be unreasonable at all. My dd is also dyslexia and in year 9 - we have very clear information from the school about how she is doing. What additional support is he getting in class or outside of class? Does he have a support plan? Is that support plan reviewed every year? What do the school mean by doing fine? Do they have low expectations. Unfortunately, I have found that some schools label children early on and consider a 3/4 doing fine etc.

If they are grading hat this is his 'predicted' grade in y11 then yes worry and get a tutor.
If they are grading that this is what he would get for Eng Lang if he sat it now, then no need to worry.

It is a pain re-sitting at college.

@OtterL I would worry about the loosely defined 'he's doing fine'. Independent schools don't always have the specialist resources in place to help students like your son. Small classes is not necessarily the b all and end all.

You need to know on what basis these grades have been derived.
If I were telling you that, I'd also be telling you why.

@OtterL
I do think you might have bought into rhetoric as opposed to SEN expertise. I have seen this quite a lot. Being blunt: I’m afraid they want your money but not the effort. Many schools will ask you to pay more for specialist help. I agree with others, he needs a specific plan but you might be required to pay. Small classes and a small school don’t matter if there’s no expertise and low expectation.

Thanks all, that’s really helpful. To answer some of the questions, those were his predicted grades for GCSE if he stayed on the same trajectory and not his grades if he were to sit the exams now.

@Ladybowes He gets an extra literacy lesson a week so they have put that in place, but no formal support plan ( he had one in primary so we were clear where the gaps were then - it’s really helpful to know that some schools do these in secondary, I wasn’t sure if that was just a primary school thing). Yes I am worried that they ve labelled him as a low achiever and think the grades he is getting are fine, whereas I am getting really worried that if there is no improvement, he won’t pass his GCSEs.

He is achieving 4/5s in science and art - it’s English and Maths which are the subjects that he is not achieving pass grades on (which are also likely the subjects most impacted as a result of the dyslexia I suspect). @TizerorFizz , yes that has been my nagging doubt also. My frustration is that I am told their is no need for concern, but then no clarity on what he needs to do to improve. I have emailed a few online tutors as think clear we need to get this into place.

Forget online tutors... it's the school's job to teach him!!
It's still not clear why those grades. Do they know what his areas of weakness are? Being dyslexic isn't enough to say he's not going to pass.

While I agree with you that it is the job to teach.. I really would recommend a tutor.

I know in theory you shouldn't have too - but in practice without one many children are left to be failed by the system. If you have the money it really is worth it. Face to face is better if you can find someone local. We had one and my dd who is severely dyslexic is now in the top set for English and Maths. If I had waited for the schools to do anything I would still be waiting. Sadly dyslexic is not seen as 'bad' enough for many schools to spend the time and money on..hence why so few children with 'just' dyslexia get EHCP's

If those are the grades predicted in 2 years time, I'd be worried.
And yes, I'd be expecting a summary of where the issues are from school.
Unfortunately, I think throwing more money at it, and getting a tutor is probably the way to go.

I agree with others, 2/3 when exams are sat in two years is deffo a concern. I woukd be asking school what they plan to do about this. I would be surprised if they are happy with him effectively not passing.

"get him a tutor" - but op you are already paying for private school? Are you happy with the school otherwise (tho passing GCSEs is frankly a really really key aspect)? If not, is there scope to move him to state and the use money saved on 1-1 support? I have to say I'd be aghast at the idea of shelling out for a tutor on top of private fees (tho of course I realise it happens).

Fwiw a friend of dd's is dyslexic and she got amazing exam results. Your son being dyslexic is not a reason for the school to shrug its shoulders abd say well, that's sll we can do. Please continue to fight for and support him.

I teach loads of dyslexic pupils English in a big standard comprehensive. I don't get to go "oh dyslexics don't get high grades" and fob off my responsibility on a paid tutor.

Wish there were more like you.

OP really hope you get somewhere with this

@Ladybowes it's my job. It's hardly a big ask!

This is true.

Well quite, and I hope your pupils appreciate your hard work and efforts.

I hope so too, but I do it because it's the right thing to do, not for validation.
That said, a nice box of chocs never goes amiss :)

Yes I would be concerned. About all those predicted grades.
And I would be asking the school what they are doing about it.

Yes this doesn't sound right at all - my son is dyslexic (he is much younger) and in state school, but we've already got him a tutor to get him ready if he wants to do the 11+ and obviously beyond too. His tutor is actually herself dyslexic so it's really nice that she understands the challenges he faces. I can pass on the details of the company if you'd like?

This sounds bad. It's what my DD with an EHCP and severe dyslexia is predicted. Actually doing better than this as support she receives is excellent.

Thanks everyone, that is really helpful and has strengthened my resolve to keep fighting. The school don’t seem to think there is an issue with the low grades and that they ll turn it round by GCSE time - albeit without a seemingly clear plan as to how that will happen.

He is very happy there otherwise and has a nice group of friends which is important as he was very anxious during lockdown and I d be loath to move him for that reason, albeit if the grades don’t pick up, I ll definitely need to consider it - also not sure what options we d have re moving him as a lot of the secondary schools around here are oversubscribed.

@Oopswediditagain2023 that would be fab if you could pass on the name of the tutoring company please.