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Original poster

Advice needed - maths sets

63 replies

Marypoppins19 · 05/10/2019 09:16

Son is in Year 7. Passed sats with 105 in maths. The year 7 is made up of 6 classes in an A and B split. In his half of the year there are three forms and so they have decided to split them for maths into Top Middle Bottom in groups of 30.
This has meant that he is now in the bottom 30.
Previously before the split last week, he was enjoying the challenge, pace and pitch. He now says it’s very slow, lots of non English speakers and some kids who really struggle. I appreciate their must be a wide range within each class of 30 but there is no extra support in the class.
Obviously I want to help him move on quickly but I’m worried about how best to do this without putting him under massive pressure. One tutoring session of an hour a week has already started. What would you add in as well??
He wants to do well but he also needs and wants downtime.

OP posts:
LolaSmiles · 05/10/2019 11:02

If it's anything like schools I've worked in, one band is higher than the other.
So band A would have sets 1-3 and then band b would have 4-6.

Either way, 105 though a good sats score wouldn't be stand out in my school. We could fill the top two sets easily with students on 110+. Anything from around 95-105 would be middle ability so set 3 on A band or set 4 at the top of B band would make sense.

If he's been weaker on theCATS too then that might also be a factor as we see lots of children who may do well on SATs but get to secondary and outside of the SATs format aren't as strong as their SATs suggest.

I think there has to be a shift in mindset with setting. It's often the source of much irritation. The number shouldn't matter. If they work hard, do what they need to do, revise and make progress then as and when sets are reviewed they'll move accordingly. For someone to move up, someone else has to move down.

Original poster
Marypoppins19 · 05/10/2019 11:00

Sorry to clarify the whole of year 7 is split into two EQUAL halves. The other half also has 3 maths groups, 1,2,3. So I only know he is in the bottom 30/90 in his half of the year 7.

OP posts:
Bucatini · 05/10/2019 10:56

I'm reading that they are parallel bands - but the OP does refer to an A and B split.

Teachermaths · 05/10/2019 10:55

I'm reading that they are parallel bands.

105 would be unusual to be in the bottom set (we have 4 on parallel bands) but not unheard of if combined with other data. It depends on the catchment/intake.

If you have spoken to school and they have clarified he is in the correct set based on all the information they have at the moment then he is probably in the right place. Give it until December and hopefully his mark will be good and he will go up. Of course this means other students will go down.

Bucatini · 05/10/2019 10:48

The bottom 30 out of 90, yes, but what about the other 90? Are they parallel or below (ie your DS is in the A 90 and the other half are the B 90)? Sorry I'm just trying to understand. If it's the latter then he's placed in the positions 60-90 out of 180 which seems correct for his SATS score, but if it's the former then that seems wrong.

Original poster
Marypoppins19 · 05/10/2019 10:43

The HOD said his set is correct and that he needs to prove himself in December tests then he could move up. I can’t see how unless others move down though

OP posts:
Original poster
Marypoppins19 · 05/10/2019 10:42

It seems to mean he is in the bottom 30 out of 90. I think this must mean that he didn’t do well in cats - he was incredible nervous.

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 05/10/2019 10:11

Similar happened to DD in science
I pushed for top set and she walked away with A*

Mistakes happen

Frlrlrubert · 05/10/2019 10:08

Did he do poorly on the CATs then?

Chase it up, reiterate his good SATs score, tell them he is finding the class slow and losing interest.

Mistakes do get made (I teach science), we sometimes have pupils moved after the start of the year because something got missed or someone clicked the wrong button, and yes, it often takes either the parent or their teacher to flag it up to the HoD.

I know all schools are different, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease in the one I'm in.

Bucatini · 05/10/2019 09:51

So he's in the bottom set but of the A half? So the 3rd set out of 6? Or have I got that wrong? Because if so that seems reasonable for a child with 105 in SATS (ie above average but not loads above).

Original poster
Marypoppins19 · 05/10/2019 09:47

The other thing that frustrates me is that the best staff are in the middle and top sets

OP posts:
Original poster
Marypoppins19 · 05/10/2019 09:46

Thank you for your reply. They said it was a combination of sats baseline and cats. I really trust the school but I know that classes are big and no TA etc it’s more his confidence and self esteem.
Frustratingly he is one of those children that if he thinks he’s doing well - he will.
Bottom set has created a bottom set mind set for him which we’ve experienced before and he’s a pickle to pull out of that mindset.

OP posts:
sd249 · 05/10/2019 09:28

Honestly I wouldn't be adding in anything extra. If he got 105 in Maths then he is doing well. Why would you have a private tutor? He is 11 Years old!!!! Maybe in year 11 but in Year 7? It will likely just make him dislike maths even more!

Maybe speak to the teachers / head of department. Find out how they do the sets, say he feels he is not being challenged and find out what they would expect for him to move up to the middle group.

I am a head of Maths and I get this all the time, sometimes it IS a mistake (for example for some students this year we didn't get their SATS results until after we did the sets, this meant they went into the wrong group), sometimes it is just that his teachers felt that was the best group for him right now. But you will only know that if you ask.