Comments at parents evening

[Reaching92]

My bf ds is v v bright. At parents evening yr6 her teacher talked about him being definite for Russell Group. He is v bright but I was surprised that teacher had been so specific at this age. Is it appropriate ?

I wouldn't say it was inappropriate

Expect the teacher thought they were being nice. Obviously it's not as if you can sue him/her 7 years down the line if your dc doesn't go to a russell group.

As you'll be aware, future success depends on many variables, including working hard, but in terms of getting into a good university, being naturally bright is a good start I suppose.

If I were you I'd just take it as a positive comment about how a teacher thought my child would go far, while understanding that that depends very much on how things pan out on secondary, and that my dc may choose an entirely different path.

(Not a teacher, by the way)

A big issue in state schools is that university, and top universities aren't even mentioned as an option, let alone plugged from an early age.

At private schools the kids have their expectations set high from the start.

The King Solomon Academy in a deprived area of London has just posted an absolutely astounding first set of GCSE results - 93% A* to C inc English and maths, 75% Ebacc. 58% free school meals. They are very clear from the start to the kids that their school is a path to university.

Hi it's not my DS it's my bf and he's bright. I was just surprised they were that specific so early.

My parents were told this re my brother in year 5. He's 35 now but yes he went to Cambridge. I think some parents don't even consider it an option so putting the suggestion is sowing the seeds.

I think it´s fine; it´s great to have aspirations.

My in-laws nearly fainted with shock when one of DH's secondary teachers said that he was "university material". It had never occurred to them that he would go to university. He did go.
I don't think it's inappropriate really.

I've told a few parents they should start saving for university. I suspect some of them might not have seriously thought about it before. I hope it wasn't appropriate!

Maybe she was hoping to steer the choice of secondary school towards the most academic option available?