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# working towards

phrase (verb phrase: work towards something — works, worked, working towards); US also «working toward»

«working towards» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, UK school reports) not yet reaching the expected standard for the age; behind where a child should be («working towards the expected standard»).
2. (literal) trying to reach a goal step by step, as in «working towards a black belt» or «working towards a test».

### In the lessons

In English primary schools, «working towards» is an official band in reports and tests (below «expected» and «greater depth»), chosen to sound hopeful instead of saying «below standard» or «failing». The literal sense is common everywhere for goals, saving and practice. Register: school jargon (UK, mainly England) in sense 1; everyday in sense 2.

### Examples

- In writing, Ben is working towards the expected standard.
- Report: Maths — working towards. Reading — expected.
- Mum: «Working towards? So she's behind, then?»
- Teacher: «Lily is working towards her times tables goal and is making good progress.»
- Literal: I'm working towards my orange belt in karate.
- Literal: The class is working towards a trip to the zoo by saving tokens.
- Chat: «My report says working towards in spelling, gutted.»
- Literal: The town is working towards cleaner rivers.

### Note

Trap: on a UK school report «working towards» is a grade meaning «below the expected standard», not just «trying». It sounds kinder than it is. Plain words: behind, below standard. Spelling: «towards» is usual in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, «toward» in the USA. Needs an object or is a grade on its own: «working towards (the standard)».