Positives of a mixed Year 3/4 Class

[Nateismine]

DD1 will be going into Yr3 in September. We have just been told that it will be a mixed class with 5 kids from Yr4. I am assuming that the 'least able' 5 children from Yr 4 will be in the class ( and this includes a couple of 'naughty' children)'

Does this kind of situation work well? What positives should I take from it?

The class will be a job share, so 2 teachers, neither of whom are that well regarded at the school. How can I keep positive about this?

[MyFirstName]

It will not necessarily be the "least able" of Yr4 - as this is seen by many when organising mixed classes as a way to label children from far, far too young an age. What happens next year? The year after?

There are lots and lots of positives for mixed age classes. For me (and no offense to any teachers) it means that there is far less risk of lazy (or zero) differentiation.

To be honest, the ability of a Yr3 class would naturally range from mid Yr2 levels to mid Yr4 levels - so any Yr3 class teacher should be differentiating for this anyway - but the presence of a mixed year group class makes the focus stronger on differentiating that it may be without the mixed years iyswim.

So for me, it means I know my child will be assessed and taught to their ability/what will stretch them - rather than to this is what Yr3 "should" be doing.

It also means there are a mix of new people/peers - which can be a great thing - to sometimes mix up the class dynamic. To give the teacher the opportunity to move pupils around, create new learning partners etc.

I cannot see any negatives really to the mixed year groups (though I know some parents like it if their is an older year group (they think it will make their child cleverer??) with their DC but not if they are younger (so by default they must think younger children would hold their pfb back ).

It is harder work for a (lazy) teacher. But that is not necessarily a bad thing.

[Wellthen]

Why would a teacher who doesn't differentiate, suddenly do so for a mixed age class? My class would range from mid 3 to mid 5 whether I had two year groups or not. I have never had a class that didn't have around a 2 level difference in at least one area, both mixed and single age classes.

Op - where two year groups (as opposed to more) are mixed it makes very little difference. It changes the dynamic slightly, as the arrival of any new children would do.

It is unlikely to be the least able. Your school should have a policy ?n how they place mixed classes and you should ask to see it.

I don't understand why parents do/don't like mixed classes. As a teacher, a class is a class. Unless you cross a key stage or have more than 2 year groups it doesn't make a difference.

When it comes to the teachers then try to ignore gossip. Wait until your child is being taught by them and decide for yourself. If you assume you won't like them then you probably won't.

[Nateismine]

Thanks, two really useful posts.