Oh Parents Evening!

[2006hildy]

We have parents evening tomorrow and the mere thought of it makes me cross.

I actually like most parents want to know how my DS is doing and not hear the generic "fine".

Fine means nothing to me, just mildly positive. I want to know hard statistical facts against the National Average.

When I chucked a wobbler last year and wrote to the school asking them what his EYF points score was, it showed me he was just above the statementing threshold. That to me is not fine. They didn't actually tell me either. I saw it written down on my letter and then they told me.

From our TAC meeting I know he is not doing fine as the gap is getting wider between him and his peers. However, I did try and ask what his P levels were and this time they said they don't publish that kind of information. I also asked if I used my Data protection rights, could I find out then? No was the answer because all the data they keep is about address details ect. I thought teachers had lots of paperwork to do.

How can you actually find out the hard facts? Are there any teachers out there. The school are keeping very tight lipped.

I know G is doing fine for G but I want the truth. With this information we could get him statemented.

Is it just me? Does anybody else have this frustration/thoughts?

How old is he? Is he in Y1?

Is he on school action or school action+?

As far as I know, the only information they don't have to divulge about your child is anything that might impact on child protection or external examinations. They do have to tell you his P levels. They are talking nonsense. Hopefully those with more legal knowledge will come along with some links to relevant law.

We are in Wales so things might be different, but DS2 is in reception this year, the school HAD to have a meeting with us in the first term to show us what levels he had been assessed at on entry to the school, compared to what levels they would be expecting. Those results had to have been given to us on paper first so we could discuss them properly with the teacher. So I am sure you should at least be able to ask the scores.

"When I chucked a wobbler last year and wrote to the school asking them what his EYF points score was, it showed me he was just above the statementing threshold".

Who set this particular threshold, if it was the LEA then it may be that the LEA is operating a blanket policy on statements which is in itself unlawful.

TAC meetings are all very well and good but you could end up going around in circles with nothing actually being done a year further on. I would apply for a statement yourself from the LEA in question and ignore any naysayers. IPSEA's website is very good www.ipsea.org.uk.

You should be able to determine his P levels; school are giving you the runaround here.

That is ridiculous. His grades should be on his school file and you are entitled to see them. Put your request in writing and point out their clear duties under the Data Protection Act.

This from the CAB page.

Access to school records

Local education authorities and schools must keep information on each pupil?s educational progress. They may also keep a record of other information, for example, about the pupil?s medical history, family background, personality and predictions of future potential. The way in which the information is stored will vary between local education authorities and individual schools. Some will store all the information on computer, while others will keep manual records.
The people who have the right to see school records are the pupil themselves and their parents. You must be allowed to see your child?s school record if you make a written request to do so. You must also be supplied with a copy of the record if you ask for it in writing. It should be supplied free of charge or at no greater cost than that of photocopying/postage.

In Wales, the head teacher can arrange for the record to be translated into Welsh, English or any other language that they feel to be appropriate. If a fee is charged for the translated record, it should be no greater than for the original record.

The record must be disclosed within 15 days of receiving the written request for it.

If you think that any part of the school record is inaccurate, write to the local education authority or school holding the record. If the school record is inaccurate, it must be amended.

School records will not be disclosed if:

the record would give information about another pupil
the record holder believes that disclosure would cause serious harm to the pupil in question or to someone else
the record holder believes the record is relevant to whether the pupil is at risk of child abuse or has been a victim of child abuse.
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The school has finally agreed to let us see our childrens? official statistics after quoting our educational rights which I then gave to the school and they said we were being aggressive!

DS2 is on school action plus dxd ASD emerging speech age 5 EYFS score 32
DS1 aged 6 going to be reviewed in April after we gave them a private report which cost £500 saying he is moderately dyslexic from Dyslexia Action. They have made a note of parental concern. They also said they don?t think he has dyslexia because they don?t want to label him ? he has special educational needs!

Thank-you for all your comments keep em coming.