composite Class

[weeonion]

Evening folks. In Scotland so schools have been back for ao couple of weeks.

DD is 6 and along with 5 other kids, has moved from P1 to join P3. When we heard about it last term - I went and asked the headteacher about it. She said it was because they were doing well, could cope with the work and the school felt they would be able to deal with the social aspects. We went and spoke to the new teacher and whilst she wasnt particularly friendly, she seemed ok. DD already knew her from an outdoor pursuits after schools club.

DD is the kind of kid who takes time to get used to change and this could well be another one of those times. It is a big jump - they are in totally different part of the school from the P1 / P2, they have more rules and the cosier atmosphere has been left behind.

She has been saying for the past week that she hates school and is scared of her teacher. We never had this before. We talked about it and she went through a load of reasons and instances, which i can see would upset / unsettle her.

3 other parents in this group have been in contact over the weekend asking how we feel it is going as their kids have been upset / worried / scared. I dont want to get into gossiping about a teacher and so have thought that i will ask to see the teacher and speak to her.

I suppose I am checking in to see if you think i am being too PFB about it all and should just wait a while to see if it settles?

anyone??

It certainly sounds like you have cause for concern - even if the only action you take is a little TLC.

Your post title and post conflict. Is she in a mixed class or is she now P3? If she is now P3 then unfortunately, eventually, she will have to deal with being treated as slightly older than her age. If the class is mixed then the teacher should be making more effort to differentiate P2s from P3s.

My action would depend on the things your DD has been telling you - is her upset with the teacher herself or just with the more grown up atmosphere of P3?

If you have specific things you can ask the teacher about then I would go in and have a quick word. If nothing else it will encourage the teacher to be a bit gentler on your DD - she probably has no idea your DD is stuggling.

I would wait it out before worrying too much but I wouldnt just let it go, especially if other parents are concerned.

sorry for confusion. She has moved along with a few others from P2 up to a P3 class.

For DD and the others - it seems that the teacher is more the issue - not just the big changes from P1.

thanks.

My understanding of composite classes in Scotland (though I stand to be corrected) is that it has nothing to do with how able your child is or how well they can cope with the work but is based on the childrens' birth dates. The oldest children would go into a composite 2/3 and if there was no straight P2 the youngest children would go into a composite 1/2. As others have said, in a composite the work should be differentiated but then I would expect that even within a straight year group class.

I think from your post that you feel it is more to do with the teacher. In your possition I would go and have a quite word with the head explaining that the wee one is feeling a bit overwhelmed and explain why then ask if the head can suggest a remedy. If the head wants to get the teacher involved then ok but I would not be negative about the teacher at all until such time as other avenues were explored.

For what it's worth, I've had 2 DC in composite classes at different stages in their schooling and I have never found it to be a negative thing, especially with them as the younger age group as I always felt it brought them on mixing with the older kids. My DD was in a composite last year (she was a P4 in a P3/4) and it did take a few weeks for everything to settle down but after that it was fine.