Child repeating a year...is this usual?

[Mummysaysno]

We're at an overseas school, and I'd really like to know if schools in the UK will make a child repeat a year (KS1) if they're behind.
My experience of UK (independent) schools is more that children will be asked to leave if they're not keeping up.
I would really value some up to date info on what both state and independent schools are doing...do kids have to repeat?
Thanks!!

[mrz]

It's unusual in state schools unless a child has significant SEN to be taught out of year. Sometimes schools will do this as a temporary measure but it can lead to problems when transferring to other schools resulting in the child having to miss a year to return to win year group.

[bojorojo]

Adeyj. I think your post is somewhat offensive and the use of the word "retarded" is not acceptable. As I am a governor at a primary school, I can assure you that schools work very hard to educate all the children. However, a few children find learning difficult and we spend a great deal of time, energy and resources ensuring they achieve as much as they possibly can. If children have learning difficulties, and many independent schools will not take these children, it is unfortunate that they struggle with their learning and attain less than their peers. It is the nature of SEN for some children. The vast majority of schools have high expectations. I think your attitude to SEN pupils is very unkind and of course, as far as possible, they should be educated with their peers in the correct age group. Their social and emotional needs may well be better met by this course of action. Being kept down is very demeaning for many children and really singles them out as different and can severely harm self-esteem. Even a child that struggles academically can enjoy art, sport and music with their peers and be part of a friendship group.

What university can you get into with a single E grade? Please let us all know!

[LIZS]

Why revive a zombie thread to be so narrow minded

[bojorojo]

Gosh! Didn't notice that. Totally agree LISZ.

[BIgBagofJelly]

It really depends, if your DC is young for their year and the school feel they'd be better suited in the year below then I think this is fine. It's slightly ridiculous to have such a rigid cut off - most countries allow flexibility for children on the boundary. (My only concern would be that if your returned to the UK they'd be forced back into the "correct" year group).

If your DC is just simply a little behind and they're just dumping them in the year below I don't think it's a good idea. They should be able to support a range of abilities and levels of development and simply repeating the entire year as an alternative to providing concentrated support is not adequate in my opinion.