Found out via the gossip grapevine that my dd is being kept back a year at school.

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

You'd think that was the sort of thing that the teachers would discuss with you in a meeting, wouldn't you? Oh no. Apparently the teacher involved is a bit pally with one of the mums whose dc is also staying behind and told her. Naturally she was a bit upset and told everyone else that some kids were being kept back a year.

Apparently it's perfectly normal to have some kept back if the class is too big. They stay in their previous class but as a seperate group so they can do the appropriate level of work. Then they mix up for activities and play time. They select the last few summer born and keep them back. The only reason the class is so big is because so many out-of-catchment kids got in on appeal. Unfortunately that's out of the schools control.

This is our first experience of this as parents and we found out via the gossip network. We have no idea how it works logistically. It's such a small school, there's nowhere else to put a seperate class. A few of us are going to see the teacher tomorrow for a bit of clarification.

I don't know how I'm going to tell dd that's she's not moving up a class after all. She's already on the advanced reading stage, I'm a bit worried that being stuck with the next foundation class is going to limit her potential. They say not but she's going to be in the foundation classroom surrounded by other kids playing, I don't see how it can't have an effect on their abilities.

This had not been handled very well. If I were one of the out-of-catchment parents I'd be mentioning my choice of schools. Unfortunately this is our catchment school so we're stuck with it. We've been told they're staying back and that's it. I don't even know what I could do.

Just wanted a rant really. Thanks for reading.

[Toomanyhouseguests]

Staying back? I've never heard of that before.

Are they laying on another year 1 class; and squeezing it in with the early years space? Our school has had mixed year groups, but they have always kept an even balance of ages so as not to create a two-speed year group.

The teacher was very unprofessional to leak info to a friend early rather than telling all in due course.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Is it a blended Reception/Yr1 class?

Whatever is happening, you should not have found out via gossip - if the teacher has let the news out to a friend, that is very unprofessional.

[Littlefish]

Your child is not being kept back. They will be part of a blended class of 2 year groups. Having a mixed age class is a pretty common thing in some areas. In my school, the only year group which is not mixed is Reception.

However, I agree that you should have been told about the arrangement by the teacher herself. I suggest that you arrange to go and see her to talk it through and find out the reason why your dd has been chosen to be part of the blended class. Schools organise mixed age classes in different ways - some by age, some by maturity, some by ability etc.

The only person who has told you your dd is "staying back" is another parent. Her terminology is wrong. It is almost impossible for children to be kept back a year. I can almost guarantee that this is not what she was told by the teacher, it is her interpretation of it.

[TheEnchantedForest]

She is not being held back, she will be a year one pupil in a mixed rec/y1class.
Mixed year classes are extremely common and teachers should be able to deal with the learning issues.
The poor communication is far more worrying. I'm not sure how the teacher will be able to explain that? Hope the meeting goes well tomorrow.

[LIZS]

I think you should ask the school yourself. Some people like shitstirring making mischief by putting particular spin on things to make themselves feel better. Mixed year classes are not uncommon and my not be a reflection of ability/potential/maturity nor are they for "holding back" .

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

That's what the teacher said, they're not being kept back, they're just going to be a mixed year group with the next foundation.

In everybody's else's eyes, they're being kept back.

It's all been handled badly. We don't know what's going on. And how are they going to manage next year when they have to go up again? The class is going to be too big again. They can't keep all of the next foundation class back surely? Just because the next year two, ie the ones being kept back now, will be a big class.

I actually had another mum say to me how relieved she was that her dd wasn't being kept back. That's how it feels to everybody.

[clam]

I too think it sounds as if you are being misled by gossip and misinterpretation. Go and see the Head Teacher for clarification, whose decision it will have been, not the class teacher.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

I have had children in mixed classes, and they have never been held back, I promise you. Please don't let the other parents worry you.

[LIZS]

Maybe next year it will be mixed year 1 & 2, not necessarily the same children or add a classroom/teacher. Once they go into Year 3 the constraints on class size don't apply in the same way.

[LemonBreeland]

The school have clearly hamdled it very badly. There should have been a letter informing parents that there was going to be composite class, and what that means.

[clam]

"In everybody's else's eyes, they're being kept back."

But they're wrong.

[Hakluyt]

"In everybody's else's eyes, they're being kept back. "

What in everybody else's eyes except the people who actually know what's going on?

Go and talk to the teacher. Get the facts.

[Littlefish]

I have taught a mixed Reception/Year One class. It was fantastic!

[clam]

Although I agree it's been handled badly.

[EveDallasRetd]

I've had dd in tears tonight for a similar thing. She's year 4 now, but joined the school in a year 5 class (it's mixed, but only a few yr 4s are in). They have been talking all week about their reports coming out today and telling them which class they are going to in Sep. DD is going to the 'proper' year 5 (that will have a small number of yr 4's in) but she wanted to go to Yr 6.

Apparently the yr 5 teacher is 'awful' and 'mean' (not that she knows, she hasn't met her). She also will be split from the couple of friends she has made that are 'proper' years 5's now, so will go into yr6.

It's so bloody confusing. I love this school (so far, we've only been here 3 weeks), but I don't understand why they are doing this.

[starfishmummy]

The organisation wouldn't overly worry me because that'd how my primary school was and the same for ds.

What I would be annoyed at is the way in which it was communicated to you and also the way the staff are letting the "myth" of being "kept down" continue.

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

We have a mixed foundation/year 1 class now. Three kids from year 1 were kept back because they have extra learning needs.

Perhaps they'll all go off together for registration, and be based in the next classroom, and then be sent back to the foundation classroom to work.

It would just be nice to have been told all this already!

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

Oh Eve, that is shit. I'm hoping dd will take it in her stride and be glad to stay with her current teacher, who is lovely.

[cosikitty]

It's not 'keeping her back', they are going to run with mixed age classes (ie mixed r/y1). It happens in many schools in order to maintain the numbers in each class at an acceptable level. Work will be differentiated appropriately I am sure.

[Itsfab]

We moved schools and DS was put in the class below for ridiculous reasons. We had no option to go along with it. Big mistake. 2 years of crap. Now at a better school, doing well though in a class with year younger kids as school is so small. Still heaps better than staying where he was where the education standard is not up to the necessary standard and the staff don't care about the kids in a lot of cases. Next year he will be in the right class again in a single year group.

Don't do it. DC has missed out on a whole years teaching .

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

It's a shame that they've been taking the kids over to the new classroom every Friday since half term and telling them that this will be their new classroom. This has all been decided a bit late in the day.

[clam]

"Don't do it."

It's not up to the OP!

[AnotherStitchInTime]

Seems strange to blend Reception which follows EYFS and year 1. In my dd's school they blend classes but they have a year 1 class with the younger Feb to August born children and a Year 1/2 class with the older September to Feb children from year 1 and some of the youngest year 2 children.

[Itsfab]

clam - I have tried to post saying I had misunderstood the situation but my lap top wasn't allowing me too.

[LumieresForMe]

My dcs have been in that place. Small school meant the need to have mixed classes. Tbh from your description, I think that it is something common in that school if that has already happen/is happening this year.

The word kept behind IS the wrong one. They will be in a mixed class and will be taught at appropriate level (if the school/teacher us good enough!).
What should happen though us that it is decided according to 1- how advance the child is (it makes sense to put a child with lower ability in the reception/Y1 class) and 2- hie mature the child (a summer born is more likely to bees mature).
BUT it would better if it is looked on an individual basis rather than 'all summer burn will be in the R/Y1class).

The year after, so Y2, they did a mixed class again but Y2 and Y2/Y3 together. And the following one was a Y3 on it's own (numbers keep changing from one year to the next).

Ime these mixed classes can be great for some children!