Booster homework:SATS

FBaby

This is ridiculous. We had the exact same problem. My daughter's teacher was certain that my daughter was at a 6b or more level in math but she was allowed to evaluate her at that level, let alone let her take the level 6 exam. As a result, my daughter got the expected 5a, but that certainly didn't make her feel too good since she knew she was a higher level. Indeed, she started secondary school and after she was evaluated was put at a level 7c.

It is completely pointless that some schools could be almost bullying a stressed kid for him to get a higher level when he is already doing extremely well yet those children who do like the challenge of additional work and tests are not given the chance to do it.

unschooler

Egypt191 wrote: »

Ah, this old chestnut (I'm not being flippant either, just they have no regard for special needs) The amount of letter's in both of my DSs files regarding this are astronomical.... But thanks, I'll look into this now.

I'm very familiar with this total disrespect and I'm really sorry you and your son have been through it too.

They must know they are damaging kids when they do this. It really reminds me of the Milgram experiment where the subjects had to obey orders thinking they were electrocuting people.

katiejones

mrcow wrote: »

So what if you did?

I would. My son is going for level 6 in maths, literacy and reading this month and has had no extra lessons/homework at all. If he gets it, fine. If he doesn't I couldn't care less. Really I couldn't. It's just a number.

This statement in my opinion (as a parent of a yr6 student) is spot on. Mine DD also has had no extra work to do. The only thing that is bugging her is that it is her birthday on the Thursday lol xx

Spendless

Any update OP?

You could always tell HT if she doesn't back off, you'll be arranging a party for the night before and inviting all his year.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2320821/School-Tiverton-asks-parents-delay-Grease-birthday-party-night-SATs-tests.html

Egypt191

Update so far is that the head is still giving DS booster homework, he's not doing it, but so far she's not punished him, but shes trying to make him feel bad in front of classmates ( doesn't work so well on a child with aspergers though). For all of the homework he doesn't complete, she gives him more the next time, and asks him to complete the previous lot. He's accumulated about 4hrs worth so far!
What's most interesting, and I thought may happen, is she hasn't moved him from the top set of booster classes, all she keeps doing is asking my DS if he enjoys her class or not ( in front of the other students) he never knows what to answer, so always says yes.

He's also been told that he has to take the level 6 paper anyway now, so he's now worrying about this, because he doesn't want to, he'd rather just take the level 5.

So, although he's more relaxed, everytime the SATs are mentioned you visibly see him change, he had his first full blown migraine in 4 days this morning I'm assuming because they've got mock SATs today....roll on 2 weeks time!!!

I love the link BTW, seriously wonder if head teachers lose their ability to care for children to cater to the whims of the government. Very sad.

Loving the idea of a party though....:)

securityguy

Egypt191 wrote: »

Loving the idea of a party though....:)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2320821/School-Tiverton-asks-parents-delay-Grease-birthday-party-night-SATs-tests.html

thunderbird

Well I am glad that he hasn't been punished, but what an awful situation for him still to be in.
The whole primary SATs situation makes me quite angry. Even though my son isn't doing any homework for them, he has told me that they have been practising for them for the past few weeks and he is really bored with it! Thankfully he isn't at all stressed and appreciates that it is just the school that is bothered about the results for their position in the league tables.

pollypenny

This has brought back memories for me. One year I had a tutor group with many 'bright ' children from one particular feeder school.

Sadly they had been hot-housed for SATs and were far from out-standing.

Holding 'booster' classes is against the principle of SATs as originally set up , anyway.

thegirlintheattic

Tell him he doesn't have to do the extra homework unless he wants to (edit: seen you've done this). Tell the school this in a letter, and if they try to sanction him/make him feel guilty, warn them that you will be removing him to home-school him should he be given any more sanctions (so no SATs results for them). He's only got two months to go so I wouldn't worry about ruffling feathers.

As a teacher I'm usually on the side of support the school but this is ridiculous. Any more of the teacher trying to guilt him in front of the class, put in a complaint.

thegirlintheattic

noodledoodle7 wrote: »

Hi Op

I explained to him that the results only mattered to the primary school league tables but every time he mentioned this to a teacher they insisted it would affect what class he would in when he reached his secondary school (which he has been worrying for months about getting a place) and would heavily affect his future.

Understand what you are saying but the SATS do influence targets and setting in secondary school.

High SATS level = higher sets in seted subjects for at least the first year (and often through KS3).

Targets are calculated primarily off the SATS results, which means a bad result may result in the child being put in lower ability classes if targets are used in setting. An abnormally high result for a child may leave them with an unattainable high target. Secondary schools can't alter targets so your child is stuck with them, even if it's obvious that the SATS were a blip.