Aibu to be concerned about mixed classes and teachers

[Stubbornmare]

My DD found out who her new teacher will be for Sept.

She's going to be in year 1.

Her teacher says she's advanced enough to go into a mixed Year 1 and Year 2 class. I'm concerned about this as she's my August baby. Will be a new 5 Year old in the same class as 7 Year olds. There's going to be a big difference in maturity between the age groups.

Also she's having 2 part time teachers. I have huge concerns about this. Aibu?

[WombatStewForTea]

I'm a teacher and a big fan of mixed classes. In my experience it matures the younger ones much quicker.
Obviously not everyone would like that.

[timeismovingon]

As with all things it depends upon the school and the teachers. My DD had 2 part-time teachers in year 2 and it worked brilliantly. As for mixed classes, I know many people like them but for me they are a solution to a problem - ie. you don't have sufficient in a year group to make up 1 class so you join 2 together. If mixed classes were great they would be done as a matter of course. Your DD is obviously bright so they feel she is able to cope with the different work however I agree with you re the maturity levels. Also it won't mean she moves up a year so surely if she isn't in a mixed class the year after she will repeat the work?

[ShiftyLookingBadger]

I would see it as a positive that the older kids would raise DD up to their ability level. Kids adapt really well to their environments. My DD is an August baby and I'd be happy with this. Also, 2 of my closest school friends where the youngest in our year (end of August!) but were by far the smartest and most sensible.

[Stubbornmare]

Wombatstew she's quiet mature and independent for her age. Certainly knows her own mind .

Can I ask why you like mixed classes?

[mayathebee]

DD1 has been in mixed classes throughout year 1 and 2. It is a little bit different because all the classes are mixed-year after reception in their school (1/2 then 3/4 then 5/6). In our experience it has worked brilliantly. When she was one of the youngest, the older kids looked after them, were great role models and sort of dragged them along. She matured loads and her reading and writing came on brilliantly. Now she is the oldest and enjoys helping the younger ones settle in and supporting them with their work (which helps her to understand too). She will be back to being the youngest next year in a 3/4 class and I'm not at all worried. It helps that all the classes are like that so the teachers are very experienced in dealing with mixed year groups.

She also had 2 part time teachers in reception (as has DD2) and again it worked very well. One teacher was more 'motherly' and very literacy focused. The other was a bit more arty, did lots of fun activities and encouraged more independence. I think both DDs have benefitted from the different teaching styles and they are slightly less attached to their teachers (although they like the both) so both seemed happy to move on to their new classes/teachers. The teachers had worked together for a while so communication seemed to be really good.

HTH

[Stubbornmare]

Thanks mayathebee that does help

[n0ne]

My DD is in a mixed class of 4-7yos. She's just 4 but having a great time. But there's no formal education occurring (I don't live in the UK so the system is different).

[PeaFaceMcgee]

Ha - didn't even know such a thing as non-mixed classes existed! We have four classes in our school:- reception on its own, then year 1&2, 3&4, 5&6.

The Y2s were a good influence on the Y1s, and the most academically advanced child in the class was an Aug Y1!