Primary School

[JaneLindsay]

Hi I'm looking for advice.
My son recently had his 2nd induction hour at his primary school. Unfortunately he has been put into a class with none of his friends from his feeder nursery. Also, at the first induction we were told the kids would be split into 2 classes, so for there first induction they spent half an hour in one of the classrooms and the other half in the other classroom. Now at his 2nd induction he was put into a 3rd class which was a totally different classroom, (with none of his friends as per above) and the class hes in only has about maybe 7-8 other kids. The other 2 classes have maybe 25+.
The primary school as far as I know only have 2 actual p1 classes so its as if they've took on more kids than usual?

Am i right to be feeling upset/angry at this situation he's in?

I moved him from a private nursery to the feeder nursery when he was 3 so he would have friends going into the same class and school as him and it would make it an easier transition but it seems to have just been a waste now.

Thanks for any input.

When my daughter moved to school only 1 other boy from here nursery went to same school, with my son it was 2 others I think. They both settled into school just fine and have made plenty of friends over their time there. The kids seem to play with lots of others for the first couple of years in my experience before they start to settle into wee groups of closer friends. Hope that reassures you a bit, but speak to school if you are anxious. Best of luck

Thanks for your reply.
It does reassure me somewhat yes, I just feel as if they've "left out" the kids that are in his class. I mean 8 kids in a class really? I suppose it means the teacher can spend more time with each individual but its the social aspects i'm worried about for him. I'm definitely going to talk to the school about it though. Thanks!

I think there was only one other kid from ds' nursery that went to his primary school - despite it being within the catchment (school itself didn't have an attached nursery) - and she went in the afternoons whereas he went in the mornings.

There was a P1 and a P1/2 composite class when he started. Initially he was in the P1/2 composite class but they then moved him to the P1 class after the September weekend. They'd used that time to decide the best dynamics. (Language and numeracy got split into capability groupings between the two classes anyway).

He still settled well and made good friends, if that reassures you. :)

Interestingly, we did a placing request for his secondary school (the next closest school, so still in the neighbourhood) and although a few of his school mates went there too (he's now in S2), there's only one he socialises with and he hasn't kept up with any of the other kids from his school. He does still have fond memories of his primary school though.

It does seem strange that there is a 3rd class of 7-8 pupils. Makes me wonder if they are going to have a composite class - or whether they are assuming that some kids will be "no shows" in August.

I would imagine that the small class of 7-8 kids is going to be incorporated into a composite class with P2 kids. Was any mention made of a composite class? I would ask what the plans are. I don't think it's a bad thing that they are not with their nursery pals. My one child came from a nursery that sent no other children to the primary and they were fine. My other child ended up in a class with 7 of her nursery pals and I would have rather she hadn't to be honest! I wanted her to have a fresh start with new friends rather than just stick with the ones she knew. Is it a West End school?

Hi sorry haven't been on since my last reply. Well I spoke to one of the teachers and shes reassured me that he was fine at his second induction and that from what info she got from nursery he tends more to switch pals than stay with the same ones all the time, although every time I ask him about nursery friends its the same names popping up!
I've been informed its a class of 10 no mention or indication that it is composite as the teacher said "he may settle more since he is in a class of 10" since he is shy. Surely if it was composite she would have told me then?
No it's langside primary southside.

A single class of 10 would be highly unusual. Looking at the school website, the staffing details the two P1 teachers and a P2/1 teacher - so it does look like they already have a composite class. I don't think you should worry too much though - they change so much when they start school and a good school will ensure that the classes are flexible over the 1st few weeks. Once they've had a chance to get to know all the new kids and their dynamics, they usually move them about anyway.

As I mentioned, ds started off in a P2/1 class and ended up in the P1 class (not Langside but another well-regarded Southside primary) after the September weekend.

To reassure you further, ds is now nearing the end of S2 (he would say he's now in S3 as he has started his S3 timetable) at Shawlands Academy, which Langside feeds in to (we had to do a placing request) and we're really happy with the school : he's being pushed hard (and achieving well) academically, but the sporty and arty side of his education is also being encouraged.

But that's a long way away for you!