Social impact of being taught with year groups above

[HummusNKetchup]

DS1 is in Y1 but his teacher told me that he'd be taught with Y2 or Y3 for some of his subjects this year, as he's a bit of a bright spark. He's not being moved into that year group - just moved across for some lessons. Has anyone any experience of this. Is it ok - or is it likely to be unhelpful for him socially?

[eaglewings]

We have mixed aged classes in our local school any way. Sure the school have thought it through
I'd be glad they were making sure my child would not be bored or held back

[Beamur]

This happened to me at school (30+years ago) and I remember being quite excited at being with the bigger kids but it made no difference to my friendship groups.

[madamarcati]

Yes.My Dc are at a small village school and virtually every ability 'table' for maths and reading will be mixed years.So not uncommon for a Y3 and a yr 1 to be on a predominantly Y2 table for example.
I don't know why you would think it will be a social problem for him??

[Feenie]

And any class teacher should easily be able to teach a child working 2 years above. For example, in Y2 some children attain a 3b, which is around the level of an average Y4 child. It's unnecessary, imo.

[tiredfeet]

this happened to me at primary, as I was getting so bored at school. I coped fine in the classroom, but in the playground I wanted to play with my old friends still (nd couldn't, as they made me change playgrounds too). I found that really isolating. That's why I can remember it so vividly still now I think. Moving to a better school (still state primary but with brighter children) worked better, I still found the work easy but at least had friends. The best solution really was my parents giving me extra work at home (at my request). I was quite young and small for my age though, so it might depend on his personality.

[Feenie]

I was moved to Y1 after the first day in Reception, then held back in Y2 while my friends moved to juniors. Then I was skipped to Y4 on entry to juniors, and they intended to hold me back in Y6 again, then skip me to Y8 in secondary. Except my parents called a halt and moved schools - my social skills were suffering hugely.

[Iamseeingstars]

Feenie, that's bizarre. Do schools do this now?

To OP, I would be pleased if the school recognised my child's ability and did this. Some schools cope with giving the appropriate work in the classroom, but the children dont get the focussed teaching they need to develop their knowledge, whereas if they are in a class where all the kids are being taught the same, at their level of understanding, I think it has to be good.

Just watch for any signs of jealously, niggles, comments from other kids/parents so that they dont become an issue.

If the school does this with lots of kids it usually isnt a problem but if only a couple of children are moved out then they stand out, and a lot of kids dont like this

[Iamseeingstars]

Re the comment that teachers should be able to teach two years above, I have found that the children are just given worksheets to do but dont get the teachers attention for them to learn and develop their knowledge (but this is just one school)

[iggly2]

The different work comes to DS and he is based in his classroom and enjoys a great social life. I think he would find it hard socially if he was moved round a lot. The school is discrete about his abilities.

[Feenie]

That shouldn't happen, Iamseeingstars - it's not great practice. Actually, worksheets ad nauseum isn't great practice full stop.

[razors]

Hummus, my dd was moved from yr1 to yr2 just before Easter. They were brilliant with her. I found that the children wanted to look after her and mother her. It was very cute! She was invited to their birthday parties as well as her friends' parties in yr1 too and then played with her new friends and old ones at playtime. She goes to a very small school so easy for her to play and see her old friends at school; and afterwards I made sure she would see her old yr1 friends for some playtime. She got on brilliantly and was much more enthusiastic about school and learning. Before she got moved up she would come out and respond to my 'how was school?' question with 'it was boring!' In yr 2 she came out telling me all she had learned. Give it a try!

[Jesusgirl]

It's usually ok and low key- at least in my ds's school. I wasn't formally told. The 1st time I heard he was being taken up to the year ahead for maths was from him! Then the teacher 'mentioned' it in conversation a few weeks after that.

Ds seemed to enjoy it, there wasn't too much of social interaction anyway.