Key Stage 2 Maths SATS

backtomum

A bit at my wits end really. I am having real problems with my daughter's school. She has had her practice SATS maths papers back and she is level 3 at the moment. She really struggles and we try to help as much at home as we can. I've been up to the school asking if they are going to give booster lessons, extra help etc. The school are not helpful and say she is doing well, I feel well and truly fobbed off. I went up in October and the head promised that she would be included on a computer maths course over dinner. This hasn't happened when I asked why she said that her RM wasn't right? This school had atrocious results last year. Does anyone know where I can get samples of the working out (things are different from when I was younger). I've been on Bitesize and there are some examples there, but not too many. I don't want to confuse her by showing her different ways. I feel she is lacking in the basics, we have hammered home times tables and she has worked so hard to grasp them. We can go over something one night and a week later she's forgotten. I've bought all of the SATs practice books but again there are hardly any examples of working out. Sorry about this ramble but I'm so concerned about her as she struggles so much and tries so hard. I know everyone on here is very helpful - please help. Off to bed now but wil be back in morning. Thanks in advance.

beefcarrot

I work as a year 6 teacher. I'l have a look at what I've got, but feel free to PM me if I can help.

backtomum

Thanks for your help Beefcarrot I really appreciate this. We've just done 20 minutes of division and checking back with multiplication and vice versa - she seems more confident in that now at least. I think she is lacking in the basics. Do you rate the BBC Bitesize website? I thought it was great but there aren't many examples of working out on it.

Thanks again for your very kind offer.:A

kisto

All the year 6 pupils at my sons school have been given this book:

CGP KS2 Maths - The Study Book

(available on Amazon URL="http://www.amazon.co.uk/KS2-Maths-Study-Book-Books/dp/1841460508/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1203023686&sr=11-1"]here[/URL)

This shows the working outs/methods they need to use.

summerday

I'm a year 5 teacher, who has tutored year 6 children and agree with kisto that the CGP books are good as they have the workings/methods extremely clearly set out. Good luck with it. I wish all parents were as concerned and interested in their kids progress as you are.

beefcarrot

The CGP books are good. I also use the BBC revisewise books with the children in my class - you can get revision books and practice books, which are bright and colourful.

The BBC website is excellent, and the children I teach seem to like it.

Remember, the SATs are more important to the school than to your child - nobody will ask her what she got in the future. Having said that, I don't blame you for wanting her to do as well as possible. The best advice I can give is not to turn this into a battleground with her!

backtomum

I've ordered the book. I've got the homework book in that series - but this seems to be what I'm looking for. Thanks to everyone for their comments and help - I do really appreciate this. I also take note of what beefcarrot says about not making it a battleground - very sound advice.

thanksalot

If you feel that the school is letting you down (head promsing something and not following it through) then you may want to talk to the governors.
Schools are meant to go into personalised learning and should really aim to help the ones that have most difficulties (especially if they are willing).

beefcarrot

It's also worth finding out if your school does booster groups for Maths - these are aimed at children working at Level 3 and are taught outside the maths hour, usually by a TA (teaching assistant). I have copies of the lessons if you want a look. PM me.

backtomum

thanksalot wrote: »

If you feel that the school is letting you down (head promsing something and not following it through) then you may want to talk to the governors.
Schools are meant to go into personalised learning and should really aim to help the ones that have most difficulties (especially if they are willing).

Hi Thanksalot. I've been thinking about going to the governors. I don''t know if its worth it for the sake of the few months that she'll be at the school. Booster classes have been mentioned by the deputy - but nothing has materialised yet!

setmefree2

Forget being a Govenor - you're better off spending your time helping your child.;)

I found WH Smith work books were really, really good for KS2. They offer really clear explanations of methods- and you can look at them in store to see if you like them. They have lots of practice examples. They are particularly good for mental maths - which are separate books.

My kids primary school used CGP. I really didn't like the workbooks so much in Maths, though the "revision guides" are good as a maths reference (and particularly good for science). The WH Smith work books were best for practice.