Does your primary school do this?

[GDG]

Ds1 is in reception at the moment - very happy with the school, very happy with his progress, got no issues with the school at all.

I've heard recently though that at the end of reception, the classes are mixed up again as they go into year one. Heard from a parent this morning that they do this at the end of every year!!

Now, I've got parents evening tonight so I can ask about this but just wondering if anyone elses school does this? I'd assumed they would just stay in their original classes (although I know they split them according to ability higher up the school because we live in a grammar/11+ area). Ds1 doesn't like 'change' that much - he always settles and is fine but hates the upheaval. The good thing is that he has a wide circle of friends and gets on with everybody so it's not as if he has one special friend that he clings to and then may get split up from.

I also don't know, yet, on what basis they split them up - I guess it must be ability, why else?

Anyway - just wondering if anyone has any experience of this and how the children find it.

Well, found out last night that he could go into one of 5 classes next year!! The 5 classes are:

Reception/Year 1 mixed
Pure year 1
3x Year 1/Year 2 mixed (there could be 2 of these and 2 pure year 1 but I can't remember!!)

Eeek! She said they just look to have in each class a balance of gender, mix of ages, mix of abilities so it's not as though they do it by ability (not streaming).

Anyway, he ain't going to like it!

On a positive note - parents evening went well - can I just gloat a bit and tell you that ds1 is well above average for reading, writing and maths!! I asked if he had any particular strengths or weaknesses and she said 'no weaknesses, he's very able in all areas'. He is one of only a few who will sit and write with no help or guidance and she is going to reassess his reading as she thinks he is on too low a level of books. I know we shouldn't really gloat on here but I was so, so chuffed that he is doing so well - he's my little star (he's had a rough time recently with being hospitalised with pneumonia and he's a bit unsettled in school this week as a result so I'm just really happy that his work is good!!) .

That's great news about parents' eve - well done your ds1! You are justifiably proud not gloating
R

Thanks Roisin