DS (6.7yrs) is in year two in a very small local primary with a lovely friendly atomosphere. The headteacher knows all the children and there are only 4 classes and mixed years in all of the classes.
DS has always struggled to meet his targets. He is summer born(birthday end of July) so had only just turned 4 when he went into Reception. He is behind in every area and we are often given extra work to do at home with him. I find it a struggle as he really hates doing extra work at home and has even hidden it! I do read with him and do as much as I can and he has just started an online maths program.
His teacher has confimed that he finds it hard to concentrate and stay on task and is easily distracted. He is given extra help 3x a week within a small group. Homework/spellings etc. are always geared to his "ability" (eg recent spelling tests he was given Y1 words-but he knew how to spell all of them). Sometimes, other children have commented "they are easy/I have harder work than you".
He seems to get on well with most of the children in his class and is always happy to go to school and has plenty of "play dates" etc.
The problem with year 3 is that he will be going into a class of 32-35 pupils. I know that year3 is when the "serious" work starts and feel that he is going to get lost in a class of this size. I'm also worried that he will start y3 being behind and never catch up.
We have started looking at a few private schools in our area and they all have small classes (between 8-15). A friend has just moved her DS (from same class as my DS) and he is coming on leaps and bounds and loves his new school.
I want to do what is best for my DS. I don't want to push him to be academic if he clearly isn't going to be. I just want him to get as much help as possible and not get lost in a huge class.
My concern is that he is happy where is he is and perhaps we should look at a tutor to help him so that he could stay where he is? How will they help him in a private school? Is it really the right move? I'm dreading explaining to him that he is moving to another school and am afraid that more damage will be done by moving him than not.
How have others handled a move with their DC? I suppose I just want someone to tell me I'm doing the right thing and I know no-one can do that but it would help to hear other experiences.
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VERY TORN ABOUT MOVING DS TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL
68 replies
UhOhNotAgain · 28/02/2011 11:22
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smallwhitecat ·
28/02/2011 12:31
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smallwhitecat ·
28/02/2011 12:49
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