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Original poster

Maths streaming - should I push for my son to move up a set

89 replies

boinoo · 26/01/2026 18:34

I just need to check in with other parents (and hopefully teachers) who can advise.

My son is in year 8 in a mixed comp. He's a quiet kid but I get in impression he contributes to lessons and is doing ok academically. He was placed in bottom set for maths which came as a surprise because he is bright, just quiet. I mentioned it to the teacher at last years parents evening but she wasn't keen to move him up. He got one of the highest score in their term test at 83% and we are fortunate enough to have a weekly tutor too. Two children with worse grades have been moved up and he's been told he has to stay in that set.

Parents evening is coming up. Should I ask the teacher to move him up a set?

OP posts:
GreenHuia · 27/01/2026 23:36

boinoo · 26/01/2026 19:00

Thanks, good points. Always happy to work with them. No problem there. I know teaching isn't easy, I just never know when to step in.

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As a teacher (admittedly primary not secondary teaching a much larger number of students), I always welcome parents to get in touch with questions or concerns. I'd hate to think a student or parent was worrying about something when I could put their mind at ease, or make a change if it was something I wasn't aware of or had overlooked. You know your son best, please always advocate for him! As long as you approach the school with respect and go in with questions not accusations, no one should mind you getting in touch. Good luck!

Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 20:37

@modgepodge that's good to know. Thank you

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modgepodge · 27/01/2026 19:23

boinoo · 27/01/2026 09:04

Just dug out his results from year 6 and it was 103 for maths

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103 is the national average, and just few points off the ’expected standard’. Unless something has gone badly wrong with his maths in 18 months I’d expect him to be middle set at a non selective school.

He will have targets set based on the data, probably a grade 5 for GCSE, which bottom set may not be aiming for. Worth raising with his teacher I think.

Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 09:04

modgepodge · 26/01/2026 19:23

Do you remember what he got in his KS2 SATS? If he got 100+ he probably shouldn’t be in bottom set (unless it’s a grammar school perhaps).

It can be very difficult for teachers to accurately assess how well children are doing in a class of 30 especially if they’re just quietly getting on. 83% sounds like a good score, but did the middle/upper set do a harder test?

I definitely think you should have a conversation with the teacher at parents evening. You can’t demand anything, but you can ask politely and ask what their reasoning is.

Just dug out his results from year 6 and it was 103 for maths

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Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 08:31

Bluebluesummer · 27/01/2026 08:29

Yes ask for him to move up. Same happened with my DD she got the highest grade in her A level equivalent maths and was probably the best in Maths in the school but because she was dyslexic assumptions were made inappropriately. If you feel that the same is happening because your child is quiet definitely speak up.

Good to know. Glad your DD is doing well

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Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 08:31

Oricolt · 27/01/2026 08:28

Absolutely raise it with the teacher and ask for clarification.

Also consider: you mention a couple of times in your OP that he's bright but quiet. How quiet? The teacher only knows what he's willing to contribute. If he doesn't / won't join in mathematical debate or justify his thinking in a group situation, she may not have any legitimate reason to think his learning would be well supported in a more robust mathematics group.

The overall feedback at parents evening last year was that he's a quiet boy, has a good friendship group and is able to contribute to lessons and ask questions. That last point did surprise me a little because I always imagine him being too quiet to do that but it was the feedback I got from more teachers, including maths.

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Bluebluesummer · 27/01/2026 08:29

Yes ask for him to move up. Same happened with my DD she got the highest grade in her A level equivalent maths and was probably the best in Maths in the school but because she was dyslexic assumptions were made inappropriately. If you feel that the same is happening because your child is quiet definitely speak up.

Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 08:28

wafflesmgee · 27/01/2026 07:30

Speak to the teacher respectfully but ultimately you have to trust their judgement and that they know what they are doing, surely? My daughters school has six “top sets” I think to appease parents, in reality I’m sure it’s just a name and they set within them!

Yes, I hope they do. There are 3 sets in his school but I'm not sure how they're carved up in terms of numbers. I don't want him in top set but the middle one could be good for him.

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Oricolt · 27/01/2026 08:28

Absolutely raise it with the teacher and ask for clarification.

Also consider: you mention a couple of times in your OP that he's bright but quiet. How quiet? The teacher only knows what he's willing to contribute. If he doesn't / won't join in mathematical debate or justify his thinking in a group situation, she may not have any legitimate reason to think his learning would be well supported in a more robust mathematics group.

Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 08:27

BobbieTables · 27/01/2026 07:30

I'd definitely question them on the decision - it may be the right one but also it might not.
My thinking on this would be

  • could he keep up with the work in the next set up?
  • will he feel more confident at the top of the bottom set or near the bottom of the next set up?
  • what's the behavior like in each of theses sets? (Bottom set can be a zoo)
  • is bottom set a nurture group and does that support him?
  • what GCSE paper are they working towards? (Foundation is limiting but less stressful - he's in Y8 now so it doesn't matter that much but come Y9 or 10 it would be good to be in the set that's the right fit in this regard, and worth knowing that it's a lot easier to move down than up with this)

Great points, thanks

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Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 08:27

PluckyChancer · 27/01/2026 07:38

What sort of kids are in the bottom set?

In DS’s school they don’t stream any subjects which is hopeless as every class will have some percentage of disruptive kids in it. DS is stuck with a lot of disruptive kids in most of his classes and the teachers spend most of the lessons firefighting just to keep control of the classroom.

Presumably also, the bottom set will be taught at a slower pace and given lower level work?

However, if your DS has a Maths tutor who can take him through the curriculum, then perhaps it doesn’t matter too much what set he’s in?

I don't get the impression they are massively disruptive. Think the pace is just a bit slower but that's not always a bad thing. That said, I'm not sure my son would mention behaviour as I think he has quickly got used to the rough and tumble of secondary school!

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Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 08:24

Tiswa · 27/01/2026 07:49

I think sometimes we forgot that is a difference between asking and opening a dialogue on something and demanding and we tend to lump it all under demanding as something we shouldn’t do.

Asking and opening a dialogue about where he is and how best to support him is absolutely fine

Yes absolutely. Just don't want to be 'that' parent who's a pain in the backside but also need to advocate for my son.

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Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 08:23

duckfordinner · 27/01/2026 07:57

It’s better to be in a higher set than lower set from my experience. Could it be that it’s convenient for teacher to keep your quiet child in a lower set to offset the behavior in the group. Teachers do that sometimes to make their life easier.

This is my worry as he is quiet. It doesn't sound like the class are disruptive as such, just sounds like he spends a bit of time waiting while the teacher helps other children (understandably). Some struggle a little with their tables etc so it takes up time. Only going by what my son says of course.

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Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 08:21

Octavia64 · 27/01/2026 07:46

maths teacher

setting in year 7 is usually based on the ks2 sats. Then teachers adjust if a child is clearly in the wrong place.

year 8 groups are then often based on an end of year 7 exam.

go back and check what he got in his ks2 sats (did he do them? We always got a few kids who fit various reasons hadn’t done them). How did his end of year 7 exam go?

if there are three sets then it’s likely these are quite big groups.

speak to the teacher and ask what he needs to do to move up. You say he got “one of” the highest marks in the most recent test - it’s quite likely that in order to do a move he needs to be visibly top of the group.

Good advice, thanks

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Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 08:21

@aCatCalledFawkes I don't think he is ready for top set but middle set could be good for him. I will speak to the teacher.

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duckfordinner · 27/01/2026 07:57

It’s better to be in a higher set than lower set from my experience. Could it be that it’s convenient for teacher to keep your quiet child in a lower set to offset the behavior in the group. Teachers do that sometimes to make their life easier.

Tiswa · 27/01/2026 07:49

I think sometimes we forgot that is a difference between asking and opening a dialogue on something and demanding and we tend to lump it all under demanding as something we shouldn’t do.

Asking and opening a dialogue about where he is and how best to support him is absolutely fine

Octavia64 · 27/01/2026 07:46

maths teacher

setting in year 7 is usually based on the ks2 sats. Then teachers adjust if a child is clearly in the wrong place.

year 8 groups are then often based on an end of year 7 exam.

go back and check what he got in his ks2 sats (did he do them? We always got a few kids who fit various reasons hadn’t done them). How did his end of year 7 exam go?

if there are three sets then it’s likely these are quite big groups.

speak to the teacher and ask what he needs to do to move up. You say he got “one of” the highest marks in the most recent test - it’s quite likely that in order to do a move he needs to be visibly top of the group.

PluckyChancer · 27/01/2026 07:38

What sort of kids are in the bottom set?

In DS’s school they don’t stream any subjects which is hopeless as every class will have some percentage of disruptive kids in it. DS is stuck with a lot of disruptive kids in most of his classes and the teachers spend most of the lessons firefighting just to keep control of the classroom.

Presumably also, the bottom set will be taught at a slower pace and given lower level work?

However, if your DS has a Maths tutor who can take him through the curriculum, then perhaps it doesn’t matter too much what set he’s in?

MNLurker1345 · 27/01/2026 07:35

My DGD did get moved up from bottom set to middle set maths. She had struggled but I at the start of year 10, she started to find classes easy.

The maths teacher contacted my DD and said they would move her and see how it went. She was quite nervous about it but she is doing well.

Maybe get him through year 8, with some solid work, where he gains confidence and bottom set maths is clearly too easy for him. The teacher should pick it up. But it really is worth the effort in order to get him moved up.

aCatCalledFawkes · 27/01/2026 07:35

boinoo · 27/01/2026 07:21

Pace is a worry but think for some children that's a good thing because it encourages focus. If successful, it could grow confidence but know what you mean if it's a struggle.

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One to one tutoring is very different from top set maths. He has time to work through it with a tutor, he will have to keep up with the class in a higher set. I would speak to them and ask what the reason is rather than pushing for a move. It might be that they think it's too much.

BobbieTables · 27/01/2026 07:30

I'd definitely question them on the decision - it may be the right one but also it might not.
My thinking on this would be

  • could he keep up with the work in the next set up?
  • will he feel more confident at the top of the bottom set or near the bottom of the next set up?
  • what's the behavior like in each of theses sets? (Bottom set can be a zoo)
  • is bottom set a nurture group and does that support him?
  • what GCSE paper are they working towards? (Foundation is limiting but less stressful - he's in Y8 now so it doesn't matter that much but come Y9 or 10 it would be good to be in the set that's the right fit in this regard, and worth knowing that it's a lot easier to move down than up with this)
wafflesmgee · 27/01/2026 07:30

Speak to the teacher respectfully but ultimately you have to trust their judgement and that they know what they are doing, surely? My daughters school has six “top sets” I think to appease parents, in reality I’m sure it’s just a name and they set within them!

Clumpled · 27/01/2026 07:25

boinoo · 27/01/2026 07:22

I don't remember tbh but good point.

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I agree this is relevant as it's used to measure their progress so it does matter to the school. Can you not remember if he got over the expected standard? 100. Does your son not remember?

Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 07:22

doglover90 · 26/01/2026 19:14

It might be that the set above is full and there is no one to move down? I also think it's difficult to say whether other children who have been moved up are actually doing worse in the subject, unless you are the teacher - presumably this is just what your son has reported to you?

Yes only what he has told me. Parents evening hasn't happened yet.

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