Decoding pupil report phrases

[BouleBaker]

So apparently my son is a "complex character". Am I right in thinking this means "bloody difficult but we have hope"?

It's that time of the year again when we parents try and understand what you're telling us.

It means behaviour difficulties (anxiety perhaps)

We can't write anything upsetting of offensive but have to be honest

I don't think I'd be allowed to write that. Definitely not part of the usual code.

For me, that means- I'm a wee bit worried about this one. I can't quite put my finger on what's troubling him.

I may be wrong.

Could you ask to meet the teacher for advice/support (or head of year)

No, it's not on our 'official list of coded phrases' (that doesn't exist btw)

At a guess I'd say it means he's not a 'heart on sleeve' type, that you have to work to get to know him, maybe that he has either a wide range of interests or a few very niche ones. Nothing negative necessarily.

If it's worrying you, ask to talk to the teacher.

All those comments make sense. The rest of the report was very positive in an improving kind of way. We're working with the school on anxiety type issues so it makes complete sense. It did make me laugh though. A perfect phrase and perfectly coded!

Good that the school are working with you. I would imagine that the teacher didn't want to say it outright, when you are working with them, but didn't want to leave it out. Reports are really hard to get right. I hope your child gets the support they need.

Sometimes teachers write rubbish. I am a teacher. When I read other teachers' reports, I see this sort of phrase and it's meaningless. It could mean that the child is unpredictable, or difficult, or can cope with complex ideas, or who knows what. I wince at some of the reports written by lovely teachers with a poor command of English. And I and not talking about teachers who have English as a second language.

So I wouldn't worry about one comment. If there's a theme: he's a complex character, he allows himself to be distracted, he's lively etc, then yes, it's worth looking further, but I wouldn't worry about an isolated remark. Maybe store it up for Parents' Evening next year!