to ask what year group is worst

[dancingdemon]

Well not exactly worst but hardest to be a teacher or head of year of. DD2 is in Y9 and her HOY as mentioned to me that Y9 is a tough one especially with the two extremes of the popular, disruptive groups (which DD is sadly in but that’s another thread!) and the quieter, more lonely/easy to fall under the radar pupils (which DD3 is but in a younger year)

Just curious of the pros and cons of each year group generally really

Year 9 can be the most unpleasant to deal with but I think being head of year is Y11 is really difficult in a different way. You are so worried for them, lots crack under the pressure of GCSE and there are quite a number having to deal with 'adult' issues. You just want to help them all leave as happy and healthy individuals with confidence and the worry of how to help them get there can be immense. Thankfully it works out for most of them in the end.

As soon as I saw the thread title I thought 'YEAR 9' - so interesting to see I'm not the only one!

Although my DS is just finishing year 7 and has had a great year. I was worried it would be awful after DDs issues and the fact that DS has Aspergers but it's gone great! Just depends on the kids in the year really - DS got lucky, DD didn't!

Year 9 commonly but at my school it’s been Y10 this year and last year it was Y8. The Y9s are lovely especially considering how difficult they were last year.

Thanks dance

She isn’t in the cool crowd and so far apart from some minor issues no real friendship problems. Long may it continue.
My son is going into yr 7 so praying he gets a nice form too.

In DD's case year 10 was her annus horribilis year. The nasty, bitchy psychological bullying she sustained from one particular girl has had some long term consequences. Nearly 5 years later DD is now ready to come of the anti anxiety meds that she needed as a result of being this horrible girls' target.

End of Year 8 all of the little ratbags and top set Year 9.

Year 9 because if they aren't doing your subject, they don't give a shiny shit about anything other than doing as little work as possible and will expend significantly greater energy in ensuring that than they would had they actually shut up for once and tried doing some work. Top set because they're far more advanced in the principles of psychological warfare and hunting as a pack.

Year 8s because hormones. Girls border upon the sociopathic at that point and boys turn into lumpen muppets, sagging from the nape of the neck except when getting into fights over who kicked the ball best, who told somebody that somebody said that somebody said they were gay and doing anything other than football or fighting seems to be completely beyond their physical capabilities. Oh, and both have parents who still believe that they are their sweet little baby who would never say Boo to a goose and the big, bad six inches shorter than said child member of staff is picking on them.

They improve during Year 10, mostly. The few outliers either by the beginning of Year 11 or they do something really stupid and get kicked out by Christmas or they completely disengage by exam entry time.

Generalising massively, but Yr 8 boys and Yr 9 girls.

I remember year 9 being the most fun at high school. Feeling like a proper teenager without any worries about exams yet.

I am so relieved to hear everyone else say year 9.

Our DS will be in year 9 in September. He is changing very rapidly. His voice is changing, he is as tall as I am 5' 6. Very tired and generally a bit more grown up in some ways. So far so good.

I'm so sorry to reserect this thread but I literally searched 'Which is the hardest school year for your Daughters' and this has made me feel so much better as my Daughter is in year 9 and I've never been so stressed in my life!!

Those that are on the other side now - did it get better?!