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Teachers of the world - mixed ability classes for humanities. Why, why, why?

26 replies

maria1665 · 08/10/2009 23:59

Our (good) local comprehensive streams for maths and english, but does not steam for humanities until Y9.

DS is a bright lad, but is FAB at history - reads about it constantly at home, History channel - the whole bit. (No real surprise - his Dad runs museums.) But he hates history at school - saying it is dull and people mess around.

The subjects he likes best are those in which he is streamed.

What are the advantages of mixed ability classes? Are there any advantages for bright kids?

OP posts:
DailyMailNameChanger · 09/10/2009 00:05

Not having to have so many teachers for subjects that take up fewer cirriculum hours, maths, english etc are high hour subjects and so can have more teachers full time, humanities cannot support that number of teachers as it covers fewer hours per week.

It may be frustrating but schools can barely afford the teachers they have, finding more just to stream for these subjects would probably break most schools.