A Tale of Two Children

My children work hard, I know they do. I'm very lucky that I've never had a complaint about their behaviour. Yet when it comes to school reports I'm always slightly disappointed. Not with the children, I'm never anything but exceptionally proud of them and their achievements. Disappointed with the people they spend six hours a day with. I've been on the other side. I've written 35 reports a year. I never thought I'd done my job properly if the parents didn't recognise their child. I used to ask them specifically at parents evening. I still ask this question of parents now, when I see them again after writing a report.

My daughter this year has had an exceptional teacher. She knows what makes her tick, and her faults, and loves her anyway. But it's not hard to know Anna - she tells the world at every opportunity what she wants and how she's going to get it. She exudes confidence and a love of learning. The four school reports she's had so far reflect this, they're personal, teachers always have plenty to say about her.

Jack is different. He's quiet and lacks confidence. But he loves learning in his own way. He's funny and kind (except to his sister!) and won't tell you if he's struggling. He flies under the radar at school. Every year his report is generic and sounds like it could be any child. Anything that is picked up about his learning is because I've raised it with school. He's loved his teacher this year and has made good progress so why doesn't his report sound like he has? So frustrating.

Rant over! Normal cute cat and kids photos will resume tomorrow!