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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

DS1 (yr1) - move to school with much smaller class but less facilities or leave put?

20 replies

dinkystinkyandveryverybored · 01/06/2012 14:22

DS1 is in year 1 in a class of 30, in a 3 class intake, at his local primary school (just round the corner from our house). He has loads of little friends and is generally happy. There are a number of after school activities at his school and he often has one or two playdates at week after school with friends. He's curious about life and bright in some respects, but far from academic, and i've been told by his teacher he has a tendency not to concentrate in class. Add to that, getting him to do his homework/read is like pulling teeth and his writing/spelling is not great. His teacher confirmed he gets on better when working in small groups.

We've been looking at our options in the area. There is a small private school 25 minutes walk away from our house he could go to - class size is 20 max (one intake a year) and it only goes up to year 3 at present. They are next to a park where they have their playtime but other than that, no facilities or after school clubs. DH and I went there to look at it today -the teachers seem lovely, the kids are bright and happy and their standards of writing and maths are impressive. DH is all for moving DS1 but I have my reservations. Any parents out there who have been in similar situations who could give me the benefit of their experience/wisdom?

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Ghoulwithadragontattoo · 01/06/2012 14:29

The current school sounds great in lots of ways. I would talk to them first to see how they can help your son to concentrate better and improve in the areas where he is currently weaker. I think taking him away from a school which is local to you and where he has many friends is not a step to be taken lightly. Plus at this age the academics are not that important as long as he is covering the basics.

PooPooInMyToes · 01/06/2012 14:36

If he is happy i think it would be risky to move him.

Its not clear what your reasons for it are? That the class is big or that he has trouble concentrating?

Really it seems like madness when he is currently happy with lots of friends there.

PooPooInMyToes · 01/06/2012 14:37

Btw, most kids don't concentrate for long at that age. Its not a bit deal.

AdventuresWithVoles · 01/06/2012 14:39

What PP said. Is he noticeably underachieving at the moment?

crazygracieuk · 01/06/2012 14:53

I'm not sure why you'd move him too. If the academic standards are higher, they may expect him to concentrate more and his inability to concentrate would probably stand out more.

My son is in y1 and the format of lessons seems to be sit on the carpet while the teacher introduces the task then sit at your table and complete the task. The table has 5 or 6 others of a similar ability who work together or individually depending on the task.

Have you asked the teacher how serious the lack of concentration is? I have a August born son in y1 and he's pretty wriggly and immature compared to his September born classmates.

difficultpickle · 01/06/2012 14:57

What happens after year 3? It seems an upheaval to move him for two years when he is happy where he is. Ds is in year 3 and rarely concentrates and that is in a class of 15! We have a mix of competitive parents and laid back ones.

Original poster

dinkystinkyandveryverybored · 01/06/2012 14:58

Its twofold really - DH and I are really worried that he's getting lost in the class of 30 and not doing as well as he can. He's a good boy, sweet natured and not the brightest or the most troublesome so is falling into the leave them to it pot of kids in the middle of the class. The teacher seems to think the lack of concentration is serious enough to have involved the school SENCO in observations on DS1. And to be honest, DS1's yr 1 teacher is lovely but from speaking to parents of older kids the yr2+ teachers seem to spend alot of their time doing crowd control rather than teaching and that's concerning...

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Sandalwood · 01/06/2012 14:59

He might get to work in small groups more in the larger school.

Original poster

dinkystinkyandveryverybored · 01/06/2012 14:59

Bisjo - they're growing the school a year at a time so this year 3 will become year 4 etc - the idea is to grow the school all the way up to year 6

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PooPooInMyToes · 01/06/2012 15:01

Not doing as well as he can? He's in year 1!

I would just leave him be. It all sounds a bit pushy to me.

difficultpickle · 01/06/2012 15:02

What does the Senco say about his concentration? Private schools aren't always good at managing even mild special needs. If you are thinking of moving then you need to be completely honest with the proposed new school on what the issues are with your ds.

Original poster

dinkystinkyandveryverybored · 01/06/2012 15:07

Thanks Poopoo - it may sound pushy to you but this is something we're actually worried about. He's curious and interested in things outside of school but in class he's clearly not interested and losing interest/concentration and its been picked up on by the school - that is why we are worried he's not doing as well as he can in his current school. If his teacher hadnt called us in to specifically tell us that, then we wouldnt be half as concerned as we are right now.

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dinkystinkyandveryverybored · 01/06/2012 15:10

She said she observed him Bisjo and he didnt seem to be paying attention during the carpet time (was fiddling with something instead of looking at the teacher) but when it came to doing the work in the session afterwards it looked like he'd got it and could do the work ok - she's keeping him under observation.

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PooPooInMyToes · 01/06/2012 15:58

There could be lots of reasons for that though, not necessarily something that would sort out if he moved schools.

Have you had his hearing checked for eg.

PooPooInMyToes · 01/06/2012 16:04

Plus if you move your child to a new school every time the teacher mentions a problem he'll have gone through a dozen by the time he gets to secondary.

It seems like a panic reaction to me.

Have you looked into this properly? Had him assessed? Got proper advice?

My daughters teacher mentioned things like this to me last year and this year as well and each of the issues have resolved themselves.

ontheedgeofwhatever · 01/06/2012 16:50

From what you say, i wold be inclined to leave him where he is for now maybe with a view to reassessing at the end of year 3. Its quite likely that by then the problems will have been ironed out. Lots of 5/6 year olds don't concentrate very well and are certainly not keen on homework

DD is in year 1 of a private school with a reputation for being pushy but they always say to us that home work is optional at this early stage and we should do our best to encourage them in what they're interested in - e.g. dd is very interested in human body but not keen on reading so we've got her a book with loads of pictures and sometimes she'll read the captions out of pure curiosity. Also if your child won't read (and I'm sure you do this anyway) read to them - its good for vocabulary and developing concentration. If you can find something funny so much the better - dd loves Roald Dahl at the moment but won't read it herself.

I'd put the money you would otherwise have used for private to one side and ue it for extra curricular activities or even tutoring later on if he seems to need it but for now I'd relax and let him enjoy school and learning in his own gentle way.

Sorry epic post

cookiesnap · 01/06/2012 17:07

It seems to me that the current school is addressing his needs. The teacher has noticed there is an issue with concentration and has brought in the SENCO. I would ask for a meeting with the SENCO in the first instance, and see what they suggest. I would work with the school for the rest of term and see what happens. Socially everything sounds really good - and that is really important.

The small private school sounds like it is focussed on academic results, which may not suit your son.

MerylStrop · 01/06/2012 17:09

I think you answered your own question in the OP

Leave him be, he's happy and secure.

The school sound to me like they are on it with the SENCO's involvement, and with you working with them.

skybluepearl · 04/06/2012 00:13

Well he is still in infants now and seems happy enough. If you want to go private, do it at junior level or aged 11 when it's more important. I wouldn't pay for infant aged education as it's a mixture of play based and basic learning.

PerimenopausalMyArse · 04/06/2012 04:57

We moved DS2 at the end of Y1 from a small private school (25 mins walk away) where he was in a class of around 15 to the local school (5 mins walk) where he went straight into a class of 30 - he LOVED the stimulation of the new school, more friends, lots more outdoor space etc. Obviously you need to make the decision for YOUR child, but if he is happy where he is I would be inclined to leave him and keep an eye for the next year or so.

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