Split year groups - good or bad?

[NichyNoo]

I am currently trying to choose between two local primary schools for DS who will start school next September. Both are close to home, in lovely areas and Ofsted very good/outstanding. Out of the two, both DH and I prefer one which seemed more friendly and involved the children in school life more. However - it has an intake of 50 in reception year that is split into two classes of 25 each. After that there are two year groups in each class. Taken from the school website:

"Except from the Reception Year all classes contain two year groups in relatively equal numbers, to accommodate the uneven in-take on admission to Year 1. Pupils remain for two years with one teacher. At the end of two years the class groups are rearranged as a means of improving pupils’ social development."

I understand that this is becoming more common but I am not sure what the advantages and disadvantages are. Each class is split into three tables of ability (children can easily move between tables if their ability changes). DS is outgoing and a quick leaner but he is an August baby so will be one of the youngest in his year. Does anyone have an advice/opinions on this set up please? Thank you!

Hi - retired TA here :

I worked several years in a small school that had a KS1 class, then Yr3 & 4 together, and Yr5 & 6 together.

So the KS1 class combined Reception, Yr1 and Yr2 in the same room with one teacher, one TA, and at various times other TAs supporting children who needed extra support for different reasons. This worked very well, and sometimes a brighter Reception child might learn alongside older pupils, while a struggling Yr2 could consolidate things he found difficult by being with younger children.

Provided the teachers and support staff are well organised, mixed year groups can work very well. In larger schools, with one year group per class the teachers will differentiate teaching and learning into several ability ranges anyway, so the end result probably isn't all that different.

As for spending two years with the same teacher, that's probably "swings and roundabouts": if a child likes the teacher and does well, that's great! If the match is less satisfactory, then you're stuck for two years!

The ethos and 'feel' of a school count for a lot: does everyone seem happy and suitably busy; are there good displays of children's work; are PE, sports, music, drama, etc valued. A small school can have more of a 'family' feel, where all the adults know all of the children. A larger school, however, might be able to offer a wider range of activities and facilities.

I think DC have more often been in split yr than single yr classes, all thru primary. As youngest or eldest, avg to high ability, has worked fine so far. I wouldn't even think about it if choosing a school now.