Reception to Y1

[Lexie1970]

We received a letter yesterday sayinf that DS will remain in class 1 whilst the majority of his classmates are moving to Class 2 and will have a new teacher.

We are at a small village school where there are only 4 classes to put it in context.

It seems judging from his reception class this year that 4/5 children were kept in class 1 last year - this has something to do with class sizes but I believe mostly that it was their academic level. I have no issue with DS being held back ( for want of a better phrase), as I would much rather he got to grips with his reading and writing before moving up. His teacher did say at his last parent's evening that his reading was not where she would like him to be. He is a typical boy that would much rather be building lego or running around.

What do you suppose is the best way of letting him know that he is staying put when his class mates are all moving without making a big deal out of it?

TIA

Our school does this too. Keeping kids on the foundation curriculum a little longer if they think it's better for them in the long run. There is a less 'free play' in ks1, so it sounds like it will suit your ds better at the mo. Some of the kids stay in foundation for longer not just for academic reasons but more to do with maturity & concentration spans. One of dc2s best friends, a very bright little girl was kept in reception longer because she was had an August birthday.

Find out which of his class mates are staying with him. Tell him he gets to stay with his teacher, (hopefully that will be a positive,) and just explain the teachers know how much he enjoys all the different activities in the class, so think he'd enjoy a bit longer in that class.

My DS was also kept in a split YR/1 class - they go to a small village school which also divides children mostly on ability. He is a typical boy too - loves his lego, imaginary games and running around (still the same in Y3!).

Agree with Joyn that the way to 'sell' it is potentially through friends - they were careful at DS's school to keep friendship groups together. Try not to use the phrase 'moving up' with him even though others might!