Two tier or three tier schooling system HELP please 😞

[Willowfine]

Just looking for advice/recommendations (or just a listening ear while I have a meltdown)

DD is 9, currently in year 4 in a traditional primary school in the two tier schooling system. She is suspected neurodivergent and has had a tricky year this year. Teacher was a little inconsistent to start and there has been some issues with friends leading to fall outs but also my daughter hitting someone who had been bullying her. All in all a pretty rough year.

We decided to look at the 3 tier system and DD did a transition day today. She loves it. I can't help feeling that we are doing the wrong thing. I have anxiety and ADHD so this has my brain working overtime!

So, has anyone been through this before, i.e. changed from 2-tier to 3-tier and any pros/cons that you experienced? Or any teachers in the group who have taught in both systems that can give a little overview of both?

My reasons for considering the three tier system, other than those listed above, were around transitions and feeling that she may find it difficult going from a very small (200 children) very nurturing school, to a large secondary school. The secondary schools in the area are usually around 1400 children big! This just feels like a huge step but I also worry that I'm not giving her enough credit that she will be resilient enough to deal with this transition.

I just feel a little lost, I can see the pros and cons of both. But if we stick with the two tier system then I don't know if I can get additional support in place for her, such as specifically asking for a certain secondary school at that time to move to secondary, as one of the local ones is just awful. My fear is we stay in this system and we are stuck with her going to a secondary school that we don't want. She has her ADHD assessment next week so no EHCP but a support plan with her current school.

My other worry is that there seems to be a gradual removal of the three tier system anyway, so will I move her just to have to move her back?

I'm really hoping someone has any advice. The school is in Northumberland if that helps.

Thanks x

So has she visited a middle school or a first school?

In my experience middle school just brings forward the secondary experience by 2 years so can be even worse. It very much depends on the school but middle schools generally operate like secondaries rather than being an extension of primary.

What size are the middle schools?

I would have thought that extra changes might be more disruptive than one change from primary to secondary.

Even though secondary schools are bigger, they may have KS3 and KS4 areas. Some locally have up to 2000 pupils, but the year groups pretty much have their own area. Are there no smaller secondaries within reasonable travelling distance?

DD was in a massive school - over 450 in a year group - but in practice it felt much smaller as the years didn't mix. Staggered timetables, separate playground for Y7.

In a way it seemed smaller than schools with 1,000 kids.

But big schools have more friendship options, more resources, more flexibility on sets, options etc and they have probably met children like your child more often.

DD is ND and just finished Y11. Transition points have been quite hard for her, so I would avoid adding to those.

A middle school, to start year 5 in September x

I thought this too, with the big difference of the sizes. The middle school will be 400/500 students tops. The secondary schools in the area are 1300/1400. That's one of my worries, that she will struggle on such a big school but I know I'm worrying about something that hasn't even happened yet. Think I just need to try and get things clear and make a decision!

What is the best school for her now?
If that school is going to benefit her for the next two years... go for it.

I didn't think of them having separate areas for KS3/4, that's a good point actually. I may have to check with the secondary schools and see how they operate.

The middle school will be between 400/500 students. The secondary schools in the area are 1300/1400

Thank you for this. I really needed that perspective. I'm worrying so much about the future and not thinking about now. Think I need to have another chat to her current primary school and see what they can support her with over the next 2 years, especially if she does get her ADHD diagnosis.

Thank you again, I really appreciate this

Thank you for this insight. Similar to what someone else said and I definitely feel I need to speak to one of the secondary schools and see how they separate out the KS3/4 and what they could support her with.

Yes, I'm desperately trying to prevent multiple transitions. She doesn't yet know about the possible ND diagnosis, so that's a chat to have first before her meeting and then consider school. Thank you again xx

My concern with Northumberland middle schools would be about the longevity of the them and the proposed changes to 2 tier system.

Changing now would mean 2 school tranisition and not 1.

Some times larger schools are able to offer and more tailored support because they are more likely to have a group of children with similar needs.

Northumberland has been moving to two tier for years now. It is possible that she will end up in two tier.

I haven't had children in 3 tier but an Aunt of mine did. She felt like the middle school years were just wasted. I think what you need isa good primary and secondary that will support her through the transition. Many children go from small schools to secondary schools with 1400 or more. It is quite normal, and all the DC will be in the same boat.

I don't have experience with the 3 tier system personally but I've read that some middle schools are categorised as primary schools, some as secondary (even if they start at age 9).
I assume this means different styles of teaching?
Do you know what category your middle school comes under?

Completely agree. Worry about secondary when the time comes, if she visited and loved it then go for it

I agree with others.

Check again if the current school is likely to improve what it can offer her next year. If they can't or won't, then the other school will be best because she can transition now and then you see how good it is. In Year 6, you can still consider the secondaries of you think it will be sensible to move.

What does she think?

Oh no I don't. I can find out. I do know that they have a mix of primary teachers and subject specific (so secondary trained) teachers. I'll look into it though, thank you

Thank you. Yes, I had thought that a year 6 to 7 transition would still be possible if it isn't working. I know it's another transition but she would have that anyway at year 9 in the middle school.

Her current primary is very problematic at the moment in helping her with aspects of her neurodivergency. I've just become aware of issues with friends which is something that's been going on all year so my hopes of things changing next year are minimal.

She absolutely loved it and is upset at the thought of possibly not going...I'm just so torn

I think you know the answer but you're just scared to do it! Change is hard, but she wants to try it, and that's huge given her needs.

Are there definitely places in her year group for the middle school?

We are not in a three tier area, but kind of created our own. Dc was struggling similarly to yours in primary, so moved to an independent through school until y8. From y9 they moved to another school, which is in between a 2 tier & 3 tier area, so has a fair few join at that stage, though most start y7. They had been resilient throughout, but by age 13 were more sure of themself and more prepared. It worked for mine, but you have to do what’s best for your child at each stage. Try not to be a slave to the system, if something isn’t right it’s ok to seek what’s Møre appropriate to your family’s needs. If she wants to go and it’s not just a knee jerk reaction, it might be for best. As you say- you can always move back into 2 tier.