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

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.

I don't remember tbh but good point.

OP posts:
Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 07:21

aCatCalledFawkes · 26/01/2026 19:41

I think the thing with the higher sets is that they move at a faster pace, children with a quicker working memory who can pick up what is being demonstrated to them in maths at faster pace tend to be in the higher sets. The lack of confidence maybe a problem if he's expected to answer questions on the spot or he doesn't feel like he's keeping up with the class.
I wouldn't listen to anything about anyone else's grades as there not relevant. Just ask his teachers to explain to you why they feel he shouldn't be moved up.

Edited

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
boinoo · 27/01/2026 07:20

Bonsaibaby · 26/01/2026 19:49

Yes absolutely ask, it’s great that you’re so engaged with his learning. I’m a teacher and always value parental opinion. I have also got 2 kids at uni and questioned some of the decisions made when they were at school and was listened to.

Great to get a teachers opinion, thank you.

OP posts:
CherryVanillaPie · 26/01/2026 19:58

Honeymoan · 26/01/2026 19:16

I definitely flagged it when my son was put in the wrong set starting at secondary. He was put in set two for science and it made no sense as he was already teaching himself GCSE science for fun (this was in the pandemic).

School did listen and ever since he has flown along at the top of the top set for everything -predicted straight 9s

There should always be a dialogue

Show quote history

Yes. No problem with asking them about it. It was the idea that setting should be based on a collective assessment by the tutor/parents/school that i was responding to. If that was the case outside tutors and parents would be able to force their child into the top set when this wasn't appropriate. The final decision has to rest with the school who sees the performance of all the children.

Bonsaibaby · 26/01/2026 19:49

Yes absolutely ask, it’s great that you’re so engaged with his learning. I’m a teacher and always value parental opinion. I have also got 2 kids at uni and questioned some of the decisions made when they were at school and was listened to.

aCatCalledFawkes · 26/01/2026 19:41

I think the thing with the higher sets is that they move at a faster pace, children with a quicker working memory who can pick up what is being demonstrated to them in maths at faster pace tend to be in the higher sets. The lack of confidence maybe a problem if he's expected to answer questions on the spot or he doesn't feel like he's keeping up with the class.
I wouldn't listen to anything about anyone else's grades as there not relevant. Just ask his teachers to explain to you why they feel he shouldn't be moved up.

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.

Honeymoan · 26/01/2026 19:16

CherryVanillaPie · 26/01/2026 19:11

I never heard of school setting being a joint decision between a child's outside tutor/parents and the teachers when mine were at school. It was based on test results at school.

Show quote history

I definitely flagged it when my son was put in the wrong set starting at secondary. He was put in set two for science and it made no sense as he was already teaching himself GCSE science for fun (this was in the pandemic).

School did listen and ever since he has flown along at the top of the top set for everything -predicted straight 9s

There should always be a dialogue

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?

Araminta1003 · 26/01/2026 19:14

Did your DS pass his KS2 maths? Does the bottom set in his school do functional maths GCSE or higher paper too? There is always a question mark over those aiming for a 4 or 5 what is better for them. The higher tier maths paper at GCSE can be quite intimidating as so many questions they can’t answer.

CherryVanillaPie · 26/01/2026 19:11

boinoo · 26/01/2026 18:51

@unbelievablybelievable I don't believe his opinion is irrelevant in the same way mine isn't. We all work with my son at different points on maths so a collective assessment is probably a good thing. It is easy for a child to be overlooked in a class of 30.

I never heard of school setting being a joint decision between a child's outside tutor/parents and the teachers when mine were at school. It was based on test results at school.

Honeymoan · 26/01/2026 19:10

boinoo · 26/01/2026 19:06

3

Show quote history

Oh wow it must be quite a small school? I think my children's school has something like 6 or 8 different sets.

If there are only three sets then I can see why there isn't much movement between them. I would definitely ask why your child hasn't been moved as the answer may be illuminating.

Honeymoan · 26/01/2026 19:09

MarchingFrogs · 26/01/2026 18:45

Out of curiosity- why does your DS have a tutor for maths?

Eta, or fo you mean tutor as in form tutor? (In which case, can't they talk to the Maths teacher?).

Edited

I dont understand this question? It's not unusual to have tutors for subjects. We've used them for a mix of reasons. Sometimes to help a struggling child, other times for a child to catch up if they have missed lessons due to ill health, in some cases to help a child who really loves an excels in a subject and doesn't feel stretched at school.

Original poster
boinoo · 26/01/2026 19:06

Pinkcheerios · 26/01/2026 19:05

How many sets are there?

3

OP posts:
Pinkcheerios · 26/01/2026 19:05

How many sets are there?

Hoppinggreen · 26/01/2026 19:04

Pearlstillsinging · 26/01/2026 19:01

Far better for an unconfident child to be near the top of a subject group, knowing that he can answer questions and not fearful of saying the wrong thing in front of everyone.

I agree
DD was in top set for everything but for DS is better off being at the top of a lower set where he was more confident
By all means speak to the teacher but sometimes a lower st is the best place

Original poster
boinoo · 26/01/2026 19:02

Pearlstillsinging · 26/01/2026 19:01

Far better for an unconfident child to be near the top of a subject group, knowing that he can answer questions and not fearful of saying the wrong thing in front of everyone.

Valid point but what if he is capable of more and he is kept in that set to quell his confidence issues.

OP posts:
unbelievablybelievable · 26/01/2026 19:02

boinoo · 26/01/2026 18:51

@unbelievablybelievable I don't believe his opinion is irrelevant in the same way mine isn't. We all work with my son at different points on maths so a collective assessment is probably a good thing. It is easy for a child to be overlooked in a class of 30.

When it's in relation to sets, it is. My DS was in bottom set until y11 but was still on track for higher tier. His cohort were all very able so even bottom set were aiming for 5s/6s. (State school - no entry exam.) But the school down the road has sets 3&4 doing foundation so much lower. Sets are very school and cohort specific.

Pearlstillsinging · 26/01/2026 19:01

Far better for an unconfident child to be near the top of a subject group, knowing that he can answer questions and not fearful of saying the wrong thing in front of everyone.

Pinkcheerios · 26/01/2026 19:01

If he suffers from low confidence, bottom maybe better

Original poster
boinoo · 26/01/2026 19:00

Stillmuddlingthrough · 26/01/2026 18:58

I would definitely be asking and appropriately advocating for your son, especially in maths where he could be missing being taught higher level stuff. Teachers are fab in the main but don’t always get it right when there are so many pupils to consider. Frame it as working with them though and wanting to help.

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.

OP posts:
Pinkcheerios · 26/01/2026 19:00

boinoo · 26/01/2026 18:59

I don't know that tbh. Two children with worse grades have been moved up because moving up is dependent on the end of term test and he says he got more than them on the test. That's great for them, not saying that's the wrong thing to do, just not sure why he would be held back if that was the case.

Show quote history

did he come top?

Original poster
boinoo · 26/01/2026 18:59

Pinkcheerios · 26/01/2026 18:57

the other higher achievers in his set also haven’t been moved up

I don't know that tbh. Two children with worse grades have been moved up because moving up is dependent on the end of term test and he says he got more than them on the test. That's great for them, not saying that's the wrong thing to do, just not sure why he would be held back if that was the case.

OP posts:
Stillmuddlingthrough · 26/01/2026 18:58

I would definitely be asking and appropriately advocating for your son, especially in maths where he could be missing being taught higher level stuff. Teachers are fab in the main but don’t always get it right when there are so many pupils to consider. Frame it as working with them though and wanting to help.

Pinkcheerios · 26/01/2026 18:57

the other higher achievers in his set also haven’t been moved up