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Original poster

Moving sets, is this normal?

54 replies

furymum · 26/12/2010 16:55

My DD who is 11 and in the first term of comp secondary has been moved from the top set to the second with no consultation - in fact we had been told that she was doing very well. This was on the basis of her assessed work - she is 6C in maths and science and 5A in English, which I think is OK but she says other kids get much higher grades. She is mildly dyslexic. We received the letter a couple of days ago which was posted after the end of term. She is devastated as she has a best friends and other friends in the group she is leaving and most of her teachers are different. The kids are taught in the same set for all classes. Is this normal treatment or do I have the right to be upset at the lack of consultation?

OP posts:
Original poster
furymum · 26/12/2010 20:48

Just to add I have been in regular contact with the school due to the dyslexia, was assured she was doing great and a set move was not on the agenda. I am the one taking the initiative on how she can do her best and your unkind comments are not very helpful to someone whose Christmas has been ruined by all this.

OP posts:
roisin · 26/12/2010 20:46

I would take heart from the fact that the school actively adjust sets, rather than leaving students in limbo in the wrong sets.

If they are doing set changes now, I'm sure they will consider further changes in the near future.

If she works hard and demonstrates her ability in class this term, then if it's appropriate I'm sure they will move her back up.

Her grades do sound good, they would get you in top set in some schools, but not all. I know in ds2's school there are students getting 7s and 8s in Maths and Science already in yr7, and 6a in English.

Original poster
furymum · 26/12/2010 20:39

Two things really piss me off - firstly having been told she was doing really well and was in the right set and secondly being told after the end of term when other movers were told face to face in the week before. I sincerely hope that this is not how other schools treat kids but it sounds like it is!

OP posts:
tinselistooaddictive · 26/12/2010 19:09

The problem will be that although there is no real problem with her work, there are children in set 2 who are performing at a substantially higher level. In order for them to move up, someone (or more) has to move down. It is a sad fact but unfortunately the case. Consultation is virtually impossible due to the numbers involved. When I did set changes in a average size comprehensive, 2 or 3 movments in each set could end up being 30 or more children. What did you want consulting about? She hasn't done anything wrong but setting is a comparision and she has come off worse! You don't get to say which set your child will be in as you dont have all the information. Virtually every parent will have a good reason why THEIR child should not be moved down, yet if their child is the one moving up, wants it done now.

If the children in the set below are seen to be more deserving of the place than it is only right that they get it. They have to make decisions based on the best interests of all the children. I don't want to sound harsh but would you feel the same if your daughter was the one moving up?

If you want to discuss it, then phone up and ask, but approach it from how you can help your daughter achieve her maximum. The letter will have been posted at the end of term as everyone is very busy and there isn't time to do so before hand.

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