Reception child going into a mixed Y1/R class

[quarkandmarmite]

Anyone have a reception aged child in a mixed Y1/R class?

Looking for success stories and a positive spin as my 4 year old DS is likely to be placed in a mixed class of Reception and Year One children.

I am a little concerned, if you hadn't already guessed, and I don't know why as I am a teacher who has TAUGHT mixed aged classes (Y1/2).

Parents of current Reception children in the mixed class are saying their children do not play in the morning (whereas in the school where I teach, they do - very much!) and sit at tables and 'do work'. That IS what they currently do so it may be different, I realise, at the beginning of an academic year. I don't want my son pushed into a more formalised curriculum and learning style too soon. He may be Autumn born and academically doing well, but he is 'young' and loves to play and a lot of his learning so far HAS been through play.

Anyone with a positive spin and success stories? TBH, I am not certain how my child would cope with formal learning at 4 years old! He may enjoy it but my fear is he won't and thus hate school.

Dd1 is in a mixed R/y1 class in our tiny local school, and is very happy. While the 2 years share a room and teacher then generally will be doing different and differentiated work (so the same subject but to different levels and sat at different tables). The reception kids come out at different times of the day and share space with the preschool or the outdoor classroom so that they can continue the play based curriculum and the y1 kids can focus on their work.

It works particularly well as there is quite a range of ability so there can be some flexibility in kids working with others of the similar level.

I do think it only works because if the brilliant staff.

Our DS had the experience of mixed class Reception/Year 1 and he was very happy. Homework & tasks in his class was set differently for the Reception group when he started but towards the end of academic year most children in his group were able to complete the tasks set for the Year 1 children. Play-time daily in the morning 15 minutes & at lunchtime 1 hour + 20 minutes for dinner was more than enough for him I think. He coped really well and I had no complains about any aspect of the 'split class' arrangements or school life.
Not sure playing for long periods of time at school would've benefit or suited him. His cousin was in Reception class across the corridor ('learning through play')= opposite experience; getting constantly into trouble and squabbles, having plenty of time to get upset about somebody not sharing etc. to the point that he hated going to school. In contrast DS had a very relaxed & balanced experience because his class tended to be less noisy for longer periods of times, usually when teaching & learning was taking place he was very focussed. He is the same now in Year 7, very focused and a deep thinker apparently :)

DD1 is Y1 in a mixed class and it seems they are all happy (small school). She is buddies with a R child and they get along really well.

Seems they all get lots of playtime but while for example Y1 are doing magic maths, Reception will be outside playing, or doing music on their mats. The class is split at work times with a teacher and 1/2 TAs.

DD2 will be going in as a young reception child in September and I'm not concerned.

My DD was in a huge class of 66 (years ago obviously) in one "hen and chickens" classroom. She was an August birthday. She never, ever, played all morning. I would have been very upset if she had. I think children develop at different rates and therefore those than can get on with tasks which are slightly more formal, they should. For example, measuring, weighing, writing, number bonds, tables, breakthough words (this may be old hat now) and reading. There was time for art, pe, drama and music in the afternoon.

A skilled teacher (that is the most important factor) will be able to differentiate the curriculum and, of course, lots of small schools use this model very effectively. Having said that, I am not a fan of very small schools but I do accept they mix age groups and it works for them. There is little evidence round here that people do not like it as the village schools are full but many only take 15 or 20 per year.