DS moving into Y1 in a mixed year group class with Y2 - how does this work?

[Eggrules]

DS is in Reception and will be moving into Y1 in September. 15 of the most able/mature will move into a mixed year group class. The rest of the year will be mixed up/together (not sure).

I understand that teachers/ schools do differentiate work now. Since the start of Reception, DS and a few of his peers, have gone to Y1 for some literacy lessons. The two YR classes mix together really well and also take lessons in mixed groups. This has worked well so far. We have been told that the children will feel a change in gear in Year 1 with regard to the learning atmosphere.

What are the benefits of a mixed year group?
Is this hard on the Y2 children?
Has anybody had any positive/negative experiences?

The 2 EYFS classes have a Teacher , Nursery Nurse and a TA each. The teacher is responsible for all, but the Nursery nurse has morning and afternoon part-timers(3+year olds) that she is responsible for, while the full-timers (4+...like an old Reception class, I suppose) are mainly the responsibility of the Teacher. The TA is there for all of them.

I think...not sure...the part-timers are divided into two intakes, Autumn and Spring

I'm not very up on the EYFS...I'm in the main school, they are a law unto themselves lol

Sounds complicated. What are the benefits of having mixed year groups?

In YR there are 45 pupils in full time and they are split over 2 classes. In each class there is a full time teacher/TA and a student teacher 2/3 days per week. I must ask what the teaching resource is.

It probably sounds complicated, but , for instance, in the mornings, the full and part-timers come in to the class together,the teacher sits in her "carpet area" with the full-timers, the nursery nurse has her children in the same way to her area, registers taken, some teacher input, then off to do activities inside and outside. The 2 classrooms are huge, with a large adjoining outside area (fenced off from the main school). The outside area is used by both classes, and there are usually at least 2 members of staff outside, 1 from each class.( If that wasn't quite the answer you were looking for , I'm sorry...bit confused by your "teaching resource" comment )

The benefits of mixed year groups is that it enables more able children to progress well.Because classwork is differentiatiated, the children work in small ability groups,within the classroom. I suppose a downside is that parents see less able children working with a lower agegroup as "moving down", but the children really don't see it that way, they are working with people with similar abilities, so it doesn't seem unusual, or too difficult. There is always extension work, if something is completed easily.

*differentiated

By teaching resource, I meant that I was wondering what the staff to pupil ration would be next year. The class size will jump from 22 to 30.

Yesterday, my DS introduced me to someone in his current RML Sound Group. MY DS is tall, this DC was ginormous and must be in Y2. He was embarrassed and I hope it was just shyness. It must be much easier for the younger/more able children.

In my DS's case the DC were split into ability groups straight away. He goes to Y1 for some lessons and I am happy that work is differentiated.

The half class of Yr1s will go into a new Yr2 class while the full Yr1 class will be split into the next Yr1/Yr2 and the full Yr2 Eggrules

Twice exceptional is where a child is above his peers cognitively yet behind his peers on social skills so needs support with both. A very challenging child. At least mine is!

Thanks Googol

Sounds like you have you hands full.