How to deal with anxieties about moving up to yr2?

[sj99]

DS1 tonight told me that he is worried about going to yr 2 because they are going to mix up the classes (2 form entry). I tried to reassure him that it would be fine because he know people in both classes but I know inside this will be eating up him up with worry.

He settled very well in the school nursery but they mixed up the classes for reception and sadly most of his friends were not in his class and this really freaked him out. He is not socially confident and finds it hard to make friends. He seems to have enjoyed yr 1 and I think that's because they kept the classes the same and he has been make some friends. The reality is that he could end up feeling very lonely again if he is split from the few friends he has in Yr2.

Any advice on what can I do to help him overcome his fears and help boost his confidence playing with the other kids?

It is worth going in and telling them that he is worried. They may be able to offer him/you some reassurance.

I think for the confident children that swapping the classes round works really well, and they get to know lots of people. For those lacking in confidence it can really knock them, I know I took most of a year to feel really confident with a new friend, so I'd be just feeling okay when it would be time to start worrying about mixing up again.

Thanks yes I'll do this, teachers may be able to help. You hit the nail on the head, he does feel ok about his friendships but now he is starting to worry he'll have no one to play with next year if they mix up the class as this was his his experience when he started Reception.

In dds school they have 2 classes in the year and they mix them up when they move up a year. Towards the end of the school year the teacher gets the kids to write 3 names of friends they would like to be in the same class as the following year.
They are guaranteed to be in the same class as at least 1 of those named friends.

It definitely eases dd into the new class.

That sees like a good idea lulu2. I spoke to teacher his morning and she said they haven't decided who will be in his class in his class yet but opefully he will be with some friends. But they said he'll have the opportunity to look round the new classroom and meet his new teacher so hopefully this will allay some of his fears. Time will tell!