11 Plus Exams Forum

I am in a quandary as I have to get the appeals papers off tomorrow Daughter has Yr 5 report full of nice comments but is only 'working towards' in three areas in maths. Some say I should include the report, some not. Can anyone help me please!

Hi worriedmum

I would say it very much depends on what level she is working towards. DS has similar comments in his reports but the standard he is "working towards" is above what is expected for his age.

AndyB

Hi worriedmum1

It is very hard to say without seeing the rest of the report, but if the evidence from the rest of it is central to your case - lots of high praise for ability and intelligence, then I would submit it.

Very few children are all rounders - one of Maths or English will tend to be weaker than the other.

As Andy says though - what is the level that she is stated to be working towards? What are her other levels?

Sally-Anne

Hi
This may not be of any help, but I didn't submit any of my son's reports, particularly yr 5 as I'd highlighted all the negative points when I first received it. They asked why I hadn't submitted it and I said I thought there were too many negative points but that they could see it if they wanted to as I had it with me. They said no, that's fine. We were successful - heard today.

Hi everyone and thanks so much for your feedback. My daughters report has many positive comments and hardly any negative which is why we were considering submitting it, but it is organised in a grid system with the general Year 5 targets broken down into 16-18 topics per subject (in Maths and English). Then there is a tick which indicates pupil is either 'working towards' 'achieved' or 'working beyond.' Daughter has achieved nearly all targets (all in Maths and Science) but is said to be 'working towards' in long multiplication, lines and properties of rectangles and discussing the likelihood of particular events. Daughter got a Level 4B in end of Yr Sats in Year 5 and is predicted by the school to achieve a Level 4A in May SATS (which have challenged by getting a private assessment done which confirmed she is already a secure Level 5) Yr comments tonight would be appreciated!!

Hi Worriedmum1

If the positive comments are about ability, rather than hard-working, then you should submit the report.

Point out politely the discrepancy between the predicted SATs result for May and the private assessment. You must be careful though that you do not suggest that one is right and the other is wrong. Your aim should be to "cast doubt", rather than "discredit".

BTW, I sent you a reply to a PM a few days ago, and you have not picked it up yet. Please check your PMs!

Sally-Anne