Report card comments for primary and secondary school

Excellent (75% and above)

• An excellent term. Your work is accurate and well presented. Keep reading ahead of the class.
• Outstanding results across your subjects. You explain your answers clearly; aim to help classmates too.
• You have worked consistently all term and it shows. Keep up the same effort in the coming exams.
• A very strong performance. Challenge yourself with harder questions in Mathematics and Science.

Very good (60 to 74%)

• A very good term. With more care in checking your work, you can move into the top band.
• Good, steady progress. Revise your weaker topics each week rather than just before tests.
• You participate well in class. Spend more time on written answers to show what you know.
• Very good results. Keep your exercise books complete; they are your best revision notes.

Good (50 to 59%)

• A fair term with room to improve. Ask your teachers when a topic is not clear.
• You can do better than this. Set aside time every evening to go over the day's work.
• Some good work this term. Your homework needs to come in on time, every time.
• Satisfactory progress. Practise past papers to get used to the way questions are asked.

Needs improvement (40 to 49%)

• You passed, but only just. Regular revision and asking questions in class will make the difference.
• More effort is needed, especially in the subjects marked below 40. Your teachers are ready to help.
• Attendance and homework need attention. Every missed lesson makes the next one harder.
• There are signs of what you can do. Concentrate in class and finish all assigned work.

Below the pass mark (under 40%)

• This term has been difficult. Let us meet with your parents to agree a plan for next term.
• You need extra support in the basics. Please attend remedial lessons and read every day.
• Results are below the pass mark in most subjects. Daily revision at home is needed, with a parent checking.
• Do not lose heart. Start with one subject at a time, and come to your teachers with questions.

Effort and conduct

• Well behaved, respectful and helpful to others.
• Punctual and well prepared for lessons.
• Talks in class too often; needs to listen more.
• Often late for school. Please help with getting to school on time.
• A good team player who takes part in school activities.
• Takes care of school property and their own books.

Head teacher's comments

• A pleasing report. Well done; keep it up.
• Good progress this term. Aim higher next term.
• Satisfactory. More effort is expected next term.
• Weak results. Parents are requested to see the class teacher.
• Promoted to the next grade. Congratulations.
• Please come to the school to discuss this report.

Tips for writing them

• Name one strength and one next step. "Good effort" alone tells a parent nothing.
• Match the comment to the marks: a parent reads both on the same page.
• Write about the work, not the child: "homework comes in late", not "lazy".
• Keep it short enough to fit the box on the report card.