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Original poster

Set stress - year 7

27 replies

setstress · 06/09/2021 08:51

I've name changed for this as I don't want to be linked to other threads. DD started secondary school on Friday - out of 6 sets she has been placed in set 5 with several of the same people she was in primary school with. Several of these children have additional needs/ autism diagnoses.

I'm shocked she has been placed in such a low set and more than a little upset - primary have never indicated she has struggled and has been a steady "as expected" on school reports. I certainly wasn't expecting top sets but this has really worried me. Is it worth speaking to the school? I don't want to be labelled as "that" parent yet and if that is where she that is where she is but it certainly isn't where I want her to end up permanently so it would be good to know what we can do to help (tutoring etc)

OP posts:
UserAtLargeAgain · 06/09/2021 10:31

I would give it some time.
Firstly, as PP says, you don't know on what basis the sets have been created. They may be mixed ability, or there are several sets at the same level. Even if they are on a definite ability basis, most secondary schools will do their own assessments in the first few weeks and move students about accordingly. It's highly unlikely that she's going to be there permanently.

uglyflowers · 06/09/2021 10:20

Hi as a parent of a child with autism, I just wanted to point out that you can have autism and be very bright.
As a secondary school teacher, I’d say - firstly are you sure these are sets and not mixed ability groups? Most of the schools I worked in taught year 7s as mixed ability. Secondly, it’s fine to question things. No one will mind at all. Maybe speak to the head of year first. These things can affect children’s confidence.