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Y3 maths predicted NC levels plus

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:33 am
by Cranleigh
One of mine is very young in year and working steadily in maths. They are working in the middle of the maths set that I think is in the middle/shade above average.

Was a 2A in maths at end of Y2 and now is a comfortable 3C at this point in year 3.

Teacher has said target may remain a 3C for end of year so that my child's confidence is high or may decide on a 3B target but concerned this might be detrimental as could be asking too much.

Literacy is stronger and we are hoping for a grammar place at 11, or at least have this choice. There are already projections in place for aged 11/end of KS2 - I am concerned that this may be in the region of a level 4. I did ask but the teacher did not want to commit at this stage. Teaching seems strong but already my child is having the curriculum delivered at a slower pace (which may be currently appropriate) an not with as much breadth as those in higher sets.

Any thoughts?

Re: Y3 maths predicted NC levels plus

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:02 am
by yoyo123
if they were 2A at end of KS! then target willl be at least 4A at end of KS2 , this doesn;t mean that they can;t better that, targets are also set throughout each KS

Re: Y3 maths predicted NC levels plus

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:05 am
by nearly there
I have always been told that Typical progress should be around 2 sub levels a year, so if progressing according to this from the end of KS1 result your DC would be
3B at end of year 3
4C at end of year 4
4A at end of year 5
5B at end of year 6 which would be a good Grammar school level

But of course your DCs teacher knows your child and maybe she expects DC to forge ahead in yr 4 if he/she gains confidence in yr 3?

my DD is also young in the year, got a 2A at KS1 and at that point really did not enjoy Maths at all. It began to "click" with her at the end of Yr 4 (she was 4C then), Yr 5 was 5C and she is predicted 5A for KS2 Sats. I did some work with her at home from Spring of Yr 5 for the 11 plus.

I would keep an eye on things but not worry at this stage provided her confidence is improving ready for faster progress in yr 4.

Re: Y3 maths predicted NC levels plus

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:22 pm
by mystery
In KS2, satisfactory progress is one whole NC level over a two year period. Your school is being very cautious in its aims for your child. Personally I think the LA adviser or an OFSTED inspector would be unimpressed.

However, it might just be that what they are saying and putting down in their system is more cautious than what they are aiming at in practice. How do you feel about the actual work they are doing? Have you got friends who will give you the maths homework for the set(s) above?

It could be that this particular teacher is very prudent about the NC levels she gives as well. I have read TES threads where the difference between levels for the same piece of work is huge (I'm thinking of a recent literacy thread). It is harder to imagine this in maths, but sometimes teachers understimate this too and don't actually know what your child can do.

I would ask this teacher if she will be giving old NC tests at the end of year 3, and when. Then if you have time, work like stink at the sort of stuff Scarlett does so that your child gets good grades in that NC test. Then ask for the results and how it compares with the other children's. It will be hard for her to argue that your child should remain in a middle or lower set if the test had her scoring marks in the same ballpark as the top set. It may be the only way that you have to buck the system.

Re: Y3 maths predicted NC levels plus

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:35 am
by Cranleigh
A belated thanks to Mystery and others for their helpful posts.

They have been doing some tests and teacher tells me DC scored very well indeed, highlighted the weaknesses and have told me a year end solid 3B is now the prediction.

Good news and teacher has been very helpful in the information provided.

I don't think a move out of the set is on the cards and my only fear is that I know the top sets are covering work at a faster pace and in more depth and breadth.

Perhaps this won't matter? What will be the projection by 11 plus time?

I will, of course, continue to do all I can to support at home. DC is youngest in year group.

Re: Y3 maths predicted NC levels plus

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:23 am
by Amber
I think my young in the year son got a level 2 in Maths at the end of KS1. I actually didn't ask so can't be sure, but no one told me otherwise. He is supposed to be sitting the Level 6 paper in a couple of weeks (Year 6). This is at a state primary in an unleafy area with a very very mixed intake.
Please relax. :)

Re: Y3 maths predicted NC levels plus

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:07 pm
by Cranleigh
Thanks, Amber. Did they set for maths in your son's primary out of interest?

Re: Y3 maths predicted NC levels plus

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:14 pm
by Amber
Cranleigh wrote:Thanks, Amber. Did they set for maths in your son's primary out of interest?
If you mean in the infants, they had differentiated 'tables' I suppose, yes. I honestly don't know if he was on the top, middle or bottom and he missed a fair amount of Reception because of my philosophy about small children and school. He also rarely did homework because I don't agree with it. At this school, yes, they 'set' in that they split the year and then differentiate between tables. I think he is on the top table now, though it was not ever thus, as the 'sets' if you will, are fluid.
HTH :D

Re: Y3 maths predicted NC levels plus

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:03 pm
by Cranleigh
Thanks. Ours is an unusually large primary and they have different teachers for each maths set - each set works at a different pace covering the curriculum at different speeds. Those above DC will all be ending Y3 a 3a etc, etc. It's not so easy to move between groups for this reason. Movements do occur but usually at the start of the year when the set is completely wrong for the child in the first place. If you have a child that nudges the top of a set but doesn't do anything consistently stellar they are unlikely to ever move.

Perhaps this doesn't matter but I am a worrier :). Thankfully DC is doing well but it must be difficult for others to make their way up in time.

Re: Y3 maths predicted NC levels plus

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:12 pm
by Amber
Cranleigh wrote:Perhaps this doesn't matter but I am a worrier :). Thankfully DC is doing well but it must be difficult for others to make their way up in time.
Cranleigh, believe it or not, I am a worrier too. I just worry about other things than academic achievement: and because my oldest one is a bit further up the educational ladder, I am confident enough to sit back and allow my youngest to cruise at his own pace. As I have said on here before, oldest DC didn't get a level 5 at KS2 Maths (I did not worry) but did get an A* in Maths GCSE in Year 10. No tutor, no extra work, and not a genius either. Children mature and grow at different rates, and success in KS1 is no indicator of success at university, any more than walking early means you will run the marathon faster than someone who walked late.