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Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Primary education

Does this sound pushy to you? Advice from teachers particularly welcome

14 replies

rosbif · 26/06/2009 11:23

We are moving from France to the UK and DT's will be starting in Year 2 (they will be almost 7 but just missed the year 3 cut off). They are bilingual but have been in an exclusively French school and read/write French much better than English at the moment. They get their report cards today and I wondered if I should translate the comments and send to their new teacher in the UK with a letter explaining some of their background - they have had some bullying problems this year. I have seen their new head teacher and visited the school but I didn't get to speak to their Y2 teacher. Does this sound overboard? As you probably can tell I am a bit concerned about their integration in September. Thanks so much

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HaventSleptForAYear · 26/06/2009 11:26

It doesn't sound overboard to me, could be useful to have some background even if they choose not to use it iyswim.

Sorry they had bullying issues - was it to do with them being bilingual? (DS1 has had a bit of this).

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Tambajam · 26/06/2009 11:26

I don't think it sounds overboard. It would be helpful. Go for it. I would try and keep commentary brief and the whole thing to one side of A4 for each child.

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hocuspontas · 26/06/2009 11:29

Personally I'd wait until the second week. Then the teacher will be putting facts to a face. If you do it now, be prepared to go over it again - I'm not sure how much facts are retained through the euphoria that is the summer holiday!

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rosbif · 26/06/2009 11:31

Thanks for your advice. No bullying was not a bilingual thing, more waiting for them not to be together and then bullying the remaining twin. So sorry your DS had trouble too.

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cat64 · 26/06/2009 11:38

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rosbif · 26/06/2009 12:55

What a great idea cat64, thanks for this, I will try.

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melissa75 · 28/06/2009 17:29

I agree with cat64...it is a little premature to do it now. If a parent sent me information about a child who I may have come September, if I could not put a face to a name, unfortunately at this point it would likely go in one ear and out the other. Most teachers are too focused at the moment on getting through the next few weeks and looking forward to summer hols...not what is going to happened in September!

Def. a good idea though to go in during INSET days to have a chat with the new teacher, she will be in a much better frame of mind to have that conversation, and will likely appreciate the background info in order to help your DT's to settle in to their new school/class.

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BonsoirAnna · 28/06/2009 17:38

Would your DTs have been entering CP this year if they had been in France?

If so, I think that a covering letter explaining the basis of the French system would be very helpful to the teacher. Your DTs will be streets ahead of their English counterparts for eg concentration and cooperation with a group; and behind with reading and writing. You need to outline what the French system emphasises/prioritises - don't just talk about reading and writing as they are not the be all and end all of education.

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mrz · 28/06/2009 17:54

I would check before going into school on an INSET any of our staff would find it difficult to speak to parents during training always supposing we were actually in our own school for training.
I would prefer a parent arrange to discuss things with me before or after school at earliest opportunity.

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scienceteacher · 28/06/2009 18:03

It's not pushy at all. It will be really helpful.

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Tambajam · 28/06/2009 18:16

I agree with mrz. I think expecting to be able to speak to a teacher on an INSET day is perhaps a bit much. Teachers wouldn't expect it and any spare moments they have around the training are usually taken up with Key Stage meetings and planning meetings and other preparation. I'd be a bit taken back if a parent suggested it and offer another time during the first week.

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mrz · 28/06/2009 18:19

I mentioned it because we usually arrange our INSET with the other schools in our cluster to share the costs of training and need a venue that will accommodate all.

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tryingtobemarypoppins · 28/06/2009 18:29

You would be my dream parents and I would love to have your twins in my class!

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rosbif · 29/06/2009 11:36

Thanks very much tryingtobemarypoppins! That is really kind. I am going to ask the teacher when it best for her to talk. I have translated their evaluations and will outline what they have covered this year. Anna, they are just completing CP, unfortunately their b'day falls in early October and so they miss the cut off to go into Y3. I am not too worried as they will be more comfortable with English if they are in Y2 and doing that level of work. DH (French) is frantic though and worried they won't go back into 'normal' year group when we come back to France in two/three years. They are going to also do the CNED French course by correspondence.