can I request the school SAT test my son every year?

iammumtoone

My son has just started year 3.

At the parents evening in year 2 (half way through the year) his teacher told me "he is lower than where we expect him to be" my typical parents response was "is it due to the fact he is the youngest in the class" she replied that he was still working below what was expected for his age. He was in the bottom set for everything, the teachers don't tell you this but my son did - the kids all know what set they are in, they are not draft!

I didn't do anything about this as at that age my personal belief is they are children and should be allowed to be children without pressure of extra school work (I do however believe when they start year 3 they then need to buckle down and learn) My intention was to help him catch up this year.

The next I hear from the school is the year end reports and the SATS results. He did brilliantly (academically), he tested well above his level, but did get a poor score/report for not listening, messing about, his writing is awful (he can't form letters correctly), he also struggles to explain and communicate what he wants to say. I did remember him telling me he was moved up a table, on further questioning following the report, it appears they moved him straight from the bottom table to the top, after he had sat his SATs.

My concerns are he will not get tested again (SAT test) until the end of school. I am very worried that the teachers will see as his year 2 teacher did a child that fidgets (he never sits still), has very poor writing and communication skills, never seems to be listing and concentrating therefore put him at low levels (I don't blame her in doing this I can see how she thought this) but when it comes to it - he can do it. Ideally I would like him to be tested at the end of every year so he is at the right level, it is another 4 years at school, a long time if he is allowed to just drift and the teachers don't know what he is capable of.

I appreciate he has problems which need resolving, if he sat still for a start that would help! This I will of course work on, but even with this he is very bright, I just want he to be working at right level, not what his level is assumed to be due to his behaviour/attitude.

I would appropriate second opinions on this as at this stage I am not sure if it is wise to speak to the school or not.

*I sit back with my hard hat on and wait for it all to be my fault (its always the parents fault :rotfl:)

*tongue in cheek remark I do know I have to work on his behavoiur/attitude, he is by no means the worse at school but there is definitely room for improvement.

Indie_Kid

SATs are only done at the end of each key stage. So Idon't see how you can request that your son's school tests him every year?

Spendless

My kids were tested every year from yr 2 onwards (my youngest has just started secondary, the eldest is in yr10) but only the ones in yr 2 and yr 6 are officially recorded. I can go on my kids school website and their records show for what they achieved aged 7 and aged 11. In between years used the same scoring and the results were just on their school reports.

I know my friends with kids the same age that attended different schools said they were unaware of theirs doing the same, I'm unsure if this is because not all schools do it this way or it was never information passed on.

Why not ask the school how they test each year and if you can be let know?

iammumtoone

Indie_Kid wrote: »

SATs are only done at the end of each key stage. So Idon't see how you can request that your son's school tests him every year?

I appreciate that you are right, they can't write a test every year just for my son.

But how can I make sure he is working at his level rather than the level he is perceived to be at? I don't believe that in less than six months he went form the bottom to the top of the class with no extra tuition - he could do it all long, he just wasn't showing the right attitude/behaviour that he could.

balletshoes

I don't think you can request that your son sits SATs every year if his classmates don't.

My child's primary school didn't test SATs-like every year, only years 2 and 6. Their levels in all other years were set by their marked work through the year.

In our school (and my nieces in another county) the kids were hothoused to get the best results for the school league tables in their SATs (especially in year 6) - so the levels are not really indicative of what your child is achieving all year round.

balletshoes

iammumtoone wrote: »

I appreciate that you are right, they can't write a text every year just for my son.

But how can I make sure he is working at his level rather than the level he is perceived to be at? I don't believe that in less than six months he went form the bottom to the top of the class with no extra tuition - he could do it all long, he just wasn't showing the right attitude/behaviour that he could.

maybe now he's at the top table thats the right place for him, and he'll settle down and get on with things with little disruptive behaviour.

iammumtoone

Spendless wrote: »

My kids were tested every year from yr 2 onwards (my youngest has just started secondary, the eldest is in yr10) but only the ones in yr 2 and yr 6 are officially recorded. I can go on my kids school website and their records show for what they achieved aged 7 and aged 11. In between years used the same scoring and the results were just on their school reports.

I know my friends with kids the same age that attended different schools said they were unaware of theirs doing the same, I'm unsure if this is because not all schools do it this way or it was never information passed on.

Why not ask the school how they test each year and if you can be let know?

They don't test again until next SATS. I know that, they told us at the opening day they are against tests, I can see their point, they say children don't always perform well at them - however my son does, tests would appear to be a good thing for him. Things do change and it is worth me asking, maybe as a way of bringing up the subject. Thanks.

I also know of schools who test each year and even test reception and year 1.

theoretica

iammumtoone wrote: »

I appreciate that you are right, they can't write a text every year just for my son.

But how can I make sure he is working at his level rather than the level he is perceived to be at? I don't believe that in less than six months he went form the bottom to the top of the class with no extra tuition - he could do it all long, he just wasn't showing the right attitude/behaviour that he could.

Doesn't the school have its own internal tests every year?

I see I wrote too slow! I was perhaps like your son, much preferred tests to putting effort in over long term. Thankfully my mum pushed for more and harder work for me whenever the teachers were talking about labelling me backwards!

iammumtoone

balletshoes wrote: »

maybe now he's at the top table thats the right place for him, and he'll settle down and get on with things with little disruptive behaviour.

Yes you are right I did think that myself, he did tell me he misses his mates on the other table and the work is harder. Hopefully at this level there will be less opportunity for him to muck about, the others on the table should be a good influence on him.

iammumtoone

theoretica wrote: »

Doesn't the school have its own internal tests every year?

They told us they didn't, maybe they do and just don't give out the results. Is it a requirement they have to? I hope so.

pickledonionspaceraider

No, it is unlikely they are going to give your child special treatment.

You could always put in place some measures yourself