Can anyone explain Secondary School Levels in Scotland?

fletch3163

Hello everyone

I'm trying to decide whether I fork out for a tutor for my 13 year old son. Problem is I don't really understand all this Level E and Level F stuff. In my day you were A, B, C, etc

He's a bit of a coaster is my son. Just enough work to get by!! I've not yet spoken with his school but I want to see if I'm worrying about nothing before I speak with teachers and possibly stump up for a tutor.

He's level E for maths and I don't know what for English. At second year I thought he should be at level F.

Hopefully someone can explain this to me, or direct me to a website that can help

jackieglasgow

There is a leaflet that goes alongside the report cards at our school which explains it, I am heading out just now, but I'll dig it out for you when I get back if you've not had any replies. Have you tried your local authorty website?

Jinx

I did a quick search and didnt find the answer, sorry. I would ask the school for the guidelines, I'm sure I got them when they introduced the system as my daughter was a primary school then.

i think you are correct, your son should be working a little higher up the scale. I remember my daughter transferring school and the teacher being impressed that she had level E reading (she was in P6 and a bookworm!) and I think level E was expected across the board in 1st year for all subjects. If thats right then hes probably just a tiny smidge behind.

fletch3163

Thanks for your replies.

I'm always scalding myself for being a rubbish mum but in my defence I'm out the house 12 hours a day. I feel kind of embarrassed to be asking school so far into his secondary career to be honest.

He was always good at both maths and English but now in second year I don't feel he's cutting it at all. I reckon his head is full of nonsense to be honest. I'm all for

fletch3163

Pressed before I was finished.:p

I'm all for kids getting to their full potential so if I have to throw money at the situation I'll do it. My husband thinks I'm fretting for nothing but then he's the dad who hands out the answer so they can go back on XBox:mad:

I had actually earmarked maybe £15 a week for a tutor in something academic but I'd like to know whether all I need to do is make him buckle down with less telly time or if he is actually struggling.

MrsBartolozzi

I am assuming your son is in second year?

Some (most?) schools don't seem to teach all of level F in second year. My second son (just gone into 3rd year) only finished level E in maths after Easter last year and is in a credit class for maths this year (2nd top class). He was still doing level E in English before the summer and is also in a credit class for that subject. I'm trying to remember what DS1 did. He had started level F at primary in maths, but still hadn't "finished" it by second year, but we weren't too bothered because it was taught slightly differently and he was in a class learning rather than sitting on his own as he'd been at primary so it was a different experience for him. The more relaxed attitude allowed him to focus on his english and other subjects he wasn't as good at.
I'd say it's a bit early to be putting the pressure on your son at this point. the level completed "E" or "F" only means they have passed the test which covers a wide range of areas. Because your son is in a class with others he might have completed sections of E and be doing F work, but other areas of the subject he might be only in E work. They only seem to test the kids a couple times a year, when most of the class are ready to sit it, and this doesn't mean that your son hasn't crossed over to the next level in between times. When you have your P/T meeting this year you'll be told more about how he is doing rather than just a level mark.


Rather than getting a tutor and focussing on specific subjects it might be a better idea to foster a general positive attitude towards private study at home which will stand him in good stead for the future. Making sure he sets aside some time each week on homework or going over what he learned in school and showing an interest in what he is learning might help him get his head back in the game.


Edited to add:
From my son's Perth and Kinross Council report folder:
Level A: should be attainable in the course of P1-P3 by almost all pupils
Level B: should be attainable by some pupils in P3 or even earlier, but certainly by most in P4
Level C: should be attainable in the course of P4-P6 by most pupils
Level should be attainable by some pupils in P5-P6 or even earlier, but certainly by most in P7
Level E: should be attainable by some pupils in P7/S1, but certainly by most in S2

There is no mention of level F at all.
I'm pretty sure from what I remember at DS1's pt meetings that completing level F is not something that the school expected most kids to do. In fact I was very surprised to hear that both of the secondary schools DS1 could have attended started everyone off at level D in S1 regardless of how they had done at primary.

broughy

When the 5-14 curriculum was first introduced, there was actually only levels A-E - level F was introduced as an extra for the faster learners, so they'd have something to work towards in S2. If your son has completed level E, he'll be doing level F work, so thats more or less where he "should" be at this point.

Whether to pay for a tutor or not is up to you, but I'd say you should talk to his teachers first. If they feel he's struggling, by all means get extra help for him, but if not, there's no point adding extra work if its not needed!

angelheart-xx

there are a few sites you can go on but things are changing too curriculum for exellence,had meeting on in my daughters school about this,was a lot of information to take in though,hopefully the sites will help also try your council website for schools it may also have infor like this to help

www.itscotland.org.uk/parentzone
also try www.direct.gov.uk

xoxo

fletch3163

Thanks all for your input and your interest.

He did take a test recently which was both levels E and F. E was quite good but F shocking!! That's what spurred me on.

I've had a look through the links, they're all a great help too so thanks for them.

I do take an active interest in his stuff but unfortunately homework is over by the time I get through the door after 7pm and it's on to dinner and prep for next day.

I absolutely will speak to his school before I do anything about tutors. His school is a very good one and they put a lot of emphasis on achievement so I'm sure he's not floundering without anyone noticing. I'm also a big believer in not putting undue pressure. I mean, they're only weans for such a short time aren't they?

HelenKA_2

I was put through the English schools system but my DD's are all in the Scottish system in Edinburgh. It's been a steep learning curve for me! With eldest DD now in S5 we are nearly through the whole lot with her! How time flies!

Is your area starting Curriculum for Excellence because it's a whole different ball game. So our DD2 (12 yrs in S1 now) and DD3+4 (9 yrs in P5) will not be doing any further levels and infact will not be taking traditional exams at aged 16yrs apparently. The current S2's will be so I expect your son will be doing them too.