Requesting transfer to another class.

[groovejet]

Has anyone successfully managed to request a move to another class when there is a double class intake.

I have posted about dd2, a young age 5 in Y1 struggling with friendships. It was mentioned to her teacher who said she would take action but apart from that one day nothing further and she has not bothered to come back to me.

DD2 usually plays with children from the other Y1 class and talks more about them than people in her own class.

In addition her current teacher does not seem on the ball with her capabilities. Dd2 is not a genius but she is reading I would say 2 levels higher than she has been set, in fact they haven't changed her level since she was in reception. In addition her maths target is something that she can already do.

Now not sure is this is down to poor teaching or dd2's friendship issues having a big effect on how she is in the class room either way a change over should benefit.

Not sure how to best go about, do I approach the teacher again or do I go to the other class teacher who is the KS1 head. I am concerned they will just say no out of hand saying dd2 will just have to cope making friendships in her class and I have gained nothing apart from getting the teachers backs up.

I have heard some harsh criticism about her current teacher from parents who have had her previously, obviously would not mention this but does give me greater concern to try and get things resolved for dd2.

[Floralnomad]

Surely at break time and lunch your DD can play with the children from either class so I can't see that being a reason for the school to move her . However if there are issues about the work she is doing you should take those up with the current teacher as a separate issue.

[redskyatnight]

DS's friends in Y1 were mostly from the other class as well. As long as they can play together in breaks/lunches, I don't think that's particularly a problem. They are generally "put" in groups during school time, so even if she was with her friends' class they might still be in different groups.

I think if you go in asking for her to change class you will put the school's back up. Plus no guarantee that any of your issues would be fixed.

I think you would be better focussing on your concerns and trying to find solutions to them with current teacher. If you still find she is unresponsive you can go to the head.

[SavoyCabbage]

There are seven classes in my dd's year group. This year she is in a class with no friends at all. I do feel a bit sad for her but secretly. I've told her that she will see her friends at playtimes which she does and that she will make friends in her class. Which she hasn't really as she's in year three so friendship groups have already formed really. She's ok though.

[SavoyCabbage]

There is no way our school would move a child into a different class.

[DeWe]

Okay.
Several things. Firstly, is the other class full? eg 30 in it. Or even bigger than her current class. I can't see a school being very keen on moving her to a bigger class, or one that's already got 30 in.

Secondly, in my experience in year 1 friendships are still very fluid. Not many friendships at the start of year 1 were still the main friendships at the end of year 1.

Next, what she is capable of at home is not necessarily what she is capable of in school. Nothing to do with friendships, just a lot of children work better with 1 to 1 at home than with everything going round them at school.

Do they mix the classes up between years? Or will she change school (and so mix classes) at juniors? If the answer to either is yes, then I would leave it.

But... having had first dd1 go all through infants then juniors in a different form to her best friend, I can assure people that it can matter.
It's probably fine if you have a confident child who makes friends easily. Not for my dd1. Work with a partner? Go on a school trip? Sit with who you want? All become issues.

The other girls all had their own friends who played with them at lunch and break, so they weren't interested in being friends during school lessons. The number of parents that came up to me and said their daughter thought dd1 was so "kind, thoughtful, never a nasty word..." but when a partner was needed they naturally went for their "best" friend. And when bullying started there was no one willing to stick their neck out, or even extend a quiet hand of friendship in case they got it too.

The way I would go about your issues would be to ask the teacher to discuss your concerns on the work. In the course of the conversation bring up that all the children she plays with seem to be in the other form, as very much a side issue. I expect the teacher will tell you it's no problem being friends in another form. At that stage you can ask whether if it becomes a bigger thing whether changing forms is something that can happen. That way you know where you are if things go further. Also ask who she plays with/any children needing friends in her own form, then you can invite them round and encourage friendships there.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Yes, but not wanting to belittle your situation it was considerably more serious. My husband has left me for another mother in DD's class the children regularly have to share a bedroom and the other child is bullying DD by pinching her by neither ExH or the adult believe DD. I provided school with also this information they have seen the bruises on DD's torso and have experienced her conflict at wanting to please her daddy by being friends with this child and the distress the bullying is causing. School then offered a class change to help DD's emotional welfare and this is combined with counselling. (yes I have had legal advice about all this).

[lljkk]

Don't comment about quality of teaching or setting. Non-starter. Besides, good practice is to revise those things as she goes along, so current situation is not set in stone. Criticising her teacher will only get backs up.

Friendship circles is reasonable cause, but it's rather early in term to be fussed about it. You could mention your concerns now & ask them to review the situation at October half term.

[ByTheWay1]

Ours is a 2 class intake - we were told from the outset that the children could only change classes in exceptional circumstances - there has only been one instance of it happening EVER - and that was to separate 2 twins who just would not function as individuals until in different classes.

[StillSquiffy]

At DC's school, it is the policy to split up friendships in the early years, to ensure children learn how to make friends/socialise, rather than relying on old friendships.

[StillSquiffy]

should perhaps qualify... it appears to be the policy.... am not a teacher myself so can't confirm if it is standard or not

[groovejet]

Thanks for the replies, I wouldn't have gone in criticising the teacher more of a gentle approach in raising the possibility.

Based on your comments am going to have to rethink things.

Whilst I know dd2 has to learn how to adapt, she is slowly going from an over confidant girl who loved school and adored her teachers to one who is not enjoying school. That is why I was concerned regarding her work as in my mind the more happy you are at school the more effort you put in.

There is certainly space in the other class, If I recall each class is running at about 28 pupils.

The school policy is to mix classes at the end of YR and again for Y3 and Y6 whilst maintaining close friendships, but in addition the policy is usually siblings attend the same class groups as their older brother or sister so it is possible that she was automatically assigned this class based on dd1 ( it was a diiferent teacher when dd1 was in Y1) instead of taking into account friendship groups.

I know in the grand scheme of things it is a minor issue, she can mix with those in the other class and we can carry on at home with her work, just want her to go off to school happy like she used to.

Will speak to the teacher today, ask for some feedback from what I raised last time and ask how she is in class as was a little surprised re some of her targets, will probably get black marked for being a pushy parent!

[BlueSkySinking]

Worth asking

[teacherwith2kids]

I have never encountered a school which would be willing to move children across classes for any but the most serious of reasons (like Lonecats).

Once one is allowed, then the head will have about half the year group knocking on the door asking to change ... and then change back because friendship groups have changed ... trying to get into the (playground perceived) 'better' teacher's class etc etc.

I would say that it would be much better to approach the school in a 'DD2 isn't enjoying school at the moment, I'm really worried about it as it seems to be affecting her work, can we discuss' way (sharing a problem, looking to work together towards a shared solution) than in a 'my child should move classes' way (I will unilaterally declare this to be the solution, you must do it).

As your DD progresses through the school, although friendships remain important, the degree to which they are relevant in class - where children are seated where they need to be to learn, and work with a 'designated' partner or group, rather than 'choose a partner' decreases. Therefore, as long as your DD can still play with her old friends at break and playtime, and there are no issues there, there should be very little practical didfference in the class whether her friends are with her or not as she gets older IYSWM.

[Virgil]

At the DCs school friendship groups are also deliberately split up in year one and then again in year two. You can only ask though