Mumsnet Talk

Just that really? How much does it matter/not matter?

Only boy in his year or only boy in his class? If both, not happy. At all.

It would be a mixed R/yr1 class but reception work alone until after lunch then the two come together for the afternoon!

Nope would not make me happy either...

Unhappy.

Not quite the same but ds is one of 4 boys. It isn't great.

I probably shouldn't say this, but I suspect a lot more questions would be asked if it was just one girl....

DD was the only girl in her class at her private prep. When it closed down and we moved her to a more balanced class we realised just how much it had disadvantaged her.

How big are the classes? How long would it be for?

I would not be thrilled by the idea to be honest but it depends on the DC's involved.

Is there anything the school can do about it?

The class averages around 18 ish depending on intakes. He would be one of four going in and the only boy i think there will be four ish boys in yr1.

He has 3sisters so used to girls but at preschool def plays more with his own sex.

School can't do much small village school.

The other alternative would be a school move (for my elder children) but then they would all be in larger classes as the other school is a 1form entry of 25-30 so its striking a balance between the social size and teacher to pupil ratios!

When DD started Reception she was one of 4 girls in a class of 18. That went down to 3 after 6 months, then in year one 5 girls and has remained that way.

She's in year 3 now.

It's shit. It was shit when she started and is still shit. All the other girls know each other out of school and DD is constantly left out. She tries to play with the boys but they are very stereotypical and most of the time don't want to play with a 'yuk girl'

If we were staying here I would have had to move her, but I don't know where to as ALL the other local schools are oversubscribed. I'm glad that we are login out of the are this year TBH.

I know I'm in the opposite situation to you, but if you have any choice Inreally wouldn't do it.

Is there a way for his 3 sisters to stay where they are, and find a different school for him?

It is a tough one as my dds aare already there and so far it seems to have been ok dd1 went in as one of 6 (4girls and 2boys) and dd2 one of 8 (4of each)

The ethos of the school seems to mean everyone takes care/looks after each other and generally i really love the school.

I would need to move the dds befroe ds is due to start as i may risk not getting them all in to the other alternative otherwise.

I would like to think the gender thing wouldnt matter but i think it might which is such a shame as like i say it is a good school and the heart of our community!

It wouldn't bother me in a tiny school. It did when it was a school with an intake of 60 every year and only 8 boys, but in a little rural school I'd expect things to be quite different anyway.

The logisitics of them being in seperate school wouldnt be possible.

Its tough as if he was going in with a few more adn more balance i would be ok as i personally like the small classes and family feel of the school as ther is only 43 there atm and the children seem to progress well.

The alternative is a very good school too but just doesnt feel the same, feels big and like the children could become just numbers!

He would have a teacher to himself and only 3other children for the mornings to do all his phonic work etc which must be great for learning, but he needs to be happy and comfortable too!

In a small school there won't be the same differentiation between year groups that you'd get in a large school. He won't be the only boy in the school.

In that case, I think I'd move everyone. Because it doesn't sound like his sisters would necessarily be worse off, but he probably would be if they all stayed.

It may also be an easier transition to big secondary school for them?

Both of our boys started their schooling at girls schools. At one point in Yr 2 DS2 was the only boy. It was not a problem at all.

It becomes a problem with sport and just general social interaction from Yr 4 onwards.

I would be inclined to give it a go and see how it goes.
It is a very small school and like my DDs they mix the years and at DDs school the Yr1s and Receps who are all in the same class mix and play together well. As it is small this is encouraged and being kind/sharing etc it sounds like your school.
You say he is one of 4 going in is that only going to be 4 children in recep and then 10 or so in yr1 in the same class?
I would give it a go before removing other children from a school they are settled at. and a school you are happy with for the sake of something that may not be a problem.

I'd give it a go personally, based on what you have said about the school, and because its such a tiny class in the morning. I guess he would get to play with the other boys at lunchtime and then be with them for the afternoon?

I wouldn't-he will go through school with a very small friendship group.

Thank you, there are things to be gained from the move like more sport (active dd1) and more friendship oppotunites (dd1s BF has just moved!) she is ok but they were joined at the hip.

And ds would start in a more even class as they have a PAN of 25 but often over subcribed (its the 'fan' school in the area) i am quite lucky to get places tbh.

But we would also lose the community feel, the walk to school, the nurturing atmosphere, all the teacher know all the children well, the small class sizes which have been consistantly between 13-18. My dd is in a class of 13 which has lots of benefits.

I'm not sure of the exact numbers in yr1 when he starts in reception but i know its considered a 'large' intake so prob betwenn 8-10 as the school has a PAN of 8.

The risk i take by giving it a go, is that i don't get in elsewhere if it all goes wrong as its a rural area and also dd1 and dd2 will be moving through the school by then.

Its also hard to pull away from a school we like, just incase!

then stick with a school you like, a school your older children are happy at and see what happens. Ask your older children who plays with younger brothers and sisters at lunchtime. AT DS's school BIg sibs really do keep an eye out for little ones. DS often plays with best mate and best mates younger sibling.