Will my daughter achieve more in a different school environment?

Q. Our daughter is currently in an ‘outstanding’ state school. However, she has just gone into year two – a class of 26 pupils, and I feel that she is not achieving her full potential. The oldest in her year, bright, articulate and confident, she seems to be just pottering along at an average to below average pace. In Year 1, I was told that she is easily distracted and if sat beside one of the TA’s, would produce excellent work, but when on a table with others, was much slower. At home her reading is great, she enjoys writing stories, although seems a bit muddled at times with maths.

Our daughter tells us the classroom is noisy and she finds it difficult to concentrate. We are considering moving her to an independent school but I am worried, firstly about moving her from somewhere she is so happy, and secondly, that she will be under pressure there and need to catch up. Any help would be appreciated, it is the biggest decision we have ever had to make!

A. A child joining Year 2 in any school will only be at the start of her learning journey, a journey that will have peaks and troughs, but which should, when measured over time, show progression. Therefore a child described as bright, articulate and confident may, at times, potter along at an average pace simply because she needs time to consolidate or simply relax. It is important to recognise this need, yet not let matters float for too long otherwise disinterest may settle in.

Your daughter may not always display the same traits at home as at school. It is not unusual for a child to perform better on a one-to-one basis for several reasons. Firstly, she is likely to relish the individual attention she is receiving, particularly from Mummy and Daddy and especially if there are other siblings vying for her attention. Secondly, one-on-one, your daughter will enjoy having an adult who is able to provide instant support, immediate answers to questions, direct feedback and individualised encouragement. Again, however, through home-school liaison, you should monitor her progress closely to prevent any long term downward trend.

In Year 1 your daughter was said to be ‘easily distracted’. I would suggest the first thing to consider would be sight and hearing tests in order to safely rule out any problems in these areas. A child will often appear disinterested if she is able to see or hear well enough to engage fully.

From what you say, your daughter’s current school is excellent. However, if as a parent you have concerns about your child, whether she is in a state or private school, the first port of call should be the class teacher with whom you should discuss your concerns. Following on from Year 1 you should seek to find out if she continues to be easily distracted. If so, discuss possible reasons for this. If your daughter is young for her years, she may need more time to mature. Strategies can be put in place to encourage her gradually to take on more instructions, to answer a greater number of questions, to be given appropriate roles within the classroom to encourage independence and increase confidence. There is also the possibility that your daughter is not being stimulated and therefore is switching off, in which case you need to discuss with her teacher how work is differentiated within the classroom so as to challenge each child. Ask how you can support the teacher’s work at home to engage her and to generate her interest.

It is pleasing to hear you describe your child as ‘so happy’ because this counts for a great deal. It would tend to imply there is nothing worrying her, that she enjoys going to school and has good friends at school. A fundamental truth in childhood is that an unhappy child is not open to learning. She is still very young and one should never take the view that she is too far behind or that she will never be a high flyer. In the interest of your child, work closely with your daughter’s school to find ways to unlock her learning potential.

If communication breaks down or you continue to feel that your daughter is not flourishing academically, then you may need to consider changing schools. Research your alternatives and discuss the concerns you have about your daughter with each potential new school. Because she is a happy child it is likely that she can cope with change and may indeed find a new start an exciting challenge. Should you decide to move her, provided strong pastoral and academic systems are in place, your daughter’s new school will be able to welcome her and make her feel secure and well-supported from the start.