Class teacher remaining the same from YR to Y1

[wigglywoowoo]

Is this a positive thing? My DD wasn't in the nursery, so will have had the same teacher for her whole time at the school. While DD thinks the teacher is fab I think a change of teacher would be more beneficial.

I guess it depends totally on what you, and more importantly, your dd thinks of her. At this age, unless she really wasn't pleasant or good at the job, I would think it was positive.

I bet lots of the parents, especially those who's dc have taken a while to settle in or are very shy types, will be thrilled.

I would feel differently further up the school, I think the change is good for most dc. By the time June/July rolls around, my ds is itching for a different teacher, change of scene I'm sure the teachers feel the same too! .

Some schools organise staff so they follow the class from reception to Y1 to make transition smoother for the youngest pupils.

I would love this to happen for reception dd, but we don't think it will and we haven't found out who her teacher will be next year yet.

We've had this. It worked just fine. Looking forward to a change in Y2 but I think having the same teacher for Y1 helped ease the transition.

Thanks for the replies.

We haven't been told officially but the children were told today. DD is happy so I should be really. Her teacher hasn't instilled me with confidence over the year so I will just have to see how it goes.

If your dc is in a very small school they will have the same teacher for 3 or 4 years (mixed year classes); my son has been very happy with just three teachers through the whole of primary - though all were excellent and very carefully chosen by the Head for their age-appropriateness wrt pastoral side as well as academics!

Depends totally on your dd's relationship with her, and what you think of her I suppose.
I think it's a real positive that my dcs school has always tried to ensure you don't get the same teacher twice. There will always be some teachers that your dc respond to better or are inspired by or they just 'like' more and enjoy school more, and some that you feel "get" your dc and others that somehow don't. It seems fairest to me that everyone gets a 'turn' at being taught by all sorts of different teachers. OTOH, unless there have been real issues this year, it wouldn't bother me. Nor, tbh, would there be much you can do about it - there will have been reasons bhind the decision which you might not know about.

I think the issue is that you aren't that impressed with the teacher really. If you thought she was good, you would probably be thrilled. R to Y1 can be a big adjustment for a lot of children and having the same teacher would really smooth the way. My dd1 had a teacher in Y1 who had taught her one day a week in YR. It was really great.

The school is a single form entry and they don't mix the classes at all. DD was expecting to change but she is more than happy to keep the same teacher.

She is a good teacher but she is an NQT and I think the issues I've had are just blips. Hopefully the change in curriculum wont add to the confusion.

Hi Wigglywoowoo:

I think it depends on your feelings (as I see your DD is happy to have same teacher).

Personally both DDs had a change of teacher between Y1 and YR which for DD1 was a change to a really approachable, friendly & supportive teacher which worked well but very little progress made that year - really just an extension of Year R (although teacher was not at her best - going through a divorce - DD1 had her again for Y3, 2 years later and she was fantastic then!).

DD2 had a change from a very friendly, supportive YR to very strict, formal Y1 and did not fair well - indeed most mornings several children were in tears before going in. All children universally said the teacher yelled at them and was too strict (frequently punishing the wrong child for talking, not settling down, etc...) - DD2 has been much happier in Y2 with reasonably firm but fair teachers, who rarely ever shout (only if a child is in imminent danger - and then only the once) and try not to jump to conclusions.

HTH

I have taught my current class of year 6's for 5 out of their 7 years in primary school, I think they are probably sick of the sight of me!

Oh, if only ds could have the same teacher next year! She has been fantastic.

One of the YR teachers this year is a NQT who covered a maternity post. She fits so well into the school, that when a Y1 post for September came up, she was the ideal candidate.
So my DS might/might not get her again (50/50) - the alternative is a new to school NQT who I've not met. I would love for him to have his YR teacher again. I know she's already ahead with her planning and knows the kids soooo well.
NQT could be 50/50. She replaces a teacher taken on last September that didn't work out - so she left. One of my other DS had a new to school teacher as his first at the same school - and she was the best teacher ever (his words!)
Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

I think she is a good teacher but I think she views me a PITA due to my questions.

wigglywoowoo

I wouldn't worry if the teacher sees you as a PITA or not. In my experience from what I've overheard in school whilst doing PTA things, pretty much all parents are PITAs.

I think the general attitude (at our school at least) is it would all be so much better without these annoying children and their horrible parents.

Sadly, it shows in so much of what they do.

I was walking into school the first week after half-term and ran into DD2s TAs and I said something along the lines of 'Did you have a nice half-term' and they both responded 'If only it were summer now - Oh well only six more weeks of this left.' Fills your heart with joy to hear such enthusiasm from people educating your child doesnt it?

So don't worry about it. If you have a question you have every right to ask it. If the teacher is professional she/ he should be more than capable of providing an understandable answer and advice/ solutions.

At the end of the day you can't control what the Head is going to decide about your single form school - if your child is generally happy socially and reasonably progressing academically - one more year with a teacher who isn't your favourite can be tolerated. And if you feel more should be happening educationally - try supporting it at home as best you can.

Bit one sided PastsellBydate.
Wigglywoowoo - no, most parents are not seen as PITAs. If you have a genuine concern, most are very happy to discuss with you - although, when you want to discuss it and when they have time to discuss it may differ
The only parents that would ever be considered as PITAs are those with ongoing completely unrealistic expectations - and they are few and far between