martonschool.myfreeforum.org

JACKIE · Mildly Opinionated Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 26

Many people have commented on the Y6 SATs results and how they have been reported to parents – highlighting the maths was the “Highest result on record” when it is actually only 1 % higher than in the previous head’s last year; but at the same time, failing to point out that English and Science are 10% lower than when the previous head retired.
My great concern is the Y2 results –
84 % Reading
86% Writing
100% Maths
96% Science
Reaching level 2 or above.

Fantastic!
However, these children, who are currently in Y3, are not working at these levels now. There are at least 10 children who require support with the number bonds to 10 [so below level 2].
There is a considerable group in Y3 who as yet have to master beginning to read. These children are not reflected in the above results where the majority of children are not only competent readers, but even better writers.
The problem now is future value added. If this group of children do not achieve 100% in maths at level 4then the value added will be negative. This is how schools are judged by Ofsted.
Y2 tests are marked in school by class teachers or the Head, whereas Y6 tests are posted for external marking. Any Head would worry about value added to such excellent Y2 results, when Y6 results have never been anywhere near these figures.
The head must not be expecting to remain in the school by the time these children reach Y6, as these results are virtually impossible to match with equivalent level 4’s, given the large number of children in the current Y3 with SEN.
I sincerely hope Ofsted inspectors will check the attainment of the children in Y3 to ensure that they really have made such astounding progress, despite many having great difficulties in basic Numeracy and Literacy skills.

mary · Reaching Full Speed Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 81

I was also very interested in these Year 2 results. I find it strange that the writing results are higher than the reading, when it is usually the other way round. Any teacher knows that children's reading is invariably more advanced than their writing, particularly at this stage in their education. As Jackie says, the 100% in maths is odd to say the least, in a school with several children with SEN in each class. Are we to believe that these children also achieved level 2? If that is the case then they certainly seem to have deteriorated drastically over the summer holidays.

There appear to be a lot of things that just don't add up.
_________________
EVENTUALLY THE TRUTH WILL OUT, JUSTICE WILL BE DONE.

mary · Reaching Full Speed Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 81

Reading through Mr Turner's newsletter again I feel I must comment on the following statement:

The school has had no difficulty in recruiting excellent and experienced replacements (for the teachers moving on)

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard that two out of the three new teachers are NQTs. They might well become excellent and experienced teachers, but I feel that to describe them in that way, at the very beginning of their teaching careers, is yet another example of a flair for exaggeration.

I will leave people to draw their own conclusions about the teachers moving on to enhance their careers.
_________________
EVENTUALLY THE TRUTH WILL OUT, JUSTICE WILL BE DONE.