3 children with the same name reception class - would you be annoyed?

[Twozealotmorethan1]

My son is due to start reception in September. It's a large school with a 3 class intake per year. We got class lists through this week and I was surprised to see that there girls with the same name have been put in the same class rather than spread between the three. They are the only three girls in the year with that name and the name is relatively common around here, but not overly so (for what difference that makes). For the purposes of this post, let's say they are called Sophie. Aside from not making it easy for the class teacher of that class, I think it's quite unfair on the girls, especially as in this school, unlike some others I've heard about, the classes stay unchanged throughout the primary school and so these children will be together until age 11 at least.
I can't help think that it's inevitable that the girls will become known as Sophie P / Sophie E etc according to their surnames and may even be more likely to attract unkind nicknames as they get older e.g. 'Big' Sophie, 'Fat' Sophie etc.
I realise it's not always possible to avoid having more than one child with the same first name in a class and I know various factors are taken into account when setting class groups but I can't help think that in a school with three class entry this could have easily been avoided? I would be a bit irritated if I was one of their parents. I have a younger child who will go to the school too in due course and am tempted to feed back to the school politely that I don't think this approach is helpful. What do you think?

[ShelaghTurner]

Bloody hell. You should have been a Sarah in the 70s/80s. I have never been anywhere where I wasn't one of about 15! Even now at the school gate there are three of us in my immediate friendship group and 4 in the class parents. My entire life my first name has been followed by an initial! I sometimes consider changing it to Hepzibah... 🤔😆

[Justgivemesomepeace]

After your child has been in school a few years and you've experienced the ups and downs, playground politics, social and academic challenges that your child goes through, maybe understand some of the challenges teachers and schools face, you'll look back and and think 'omg, was i really bothered about the kids names in his class?'

[therootoftheroot]

paxilin-SNORT!!!! very funny...and true!

[dodobookends]

There were seven Dodos in my class at primary school, and I really don't remember it ever being an issue at all. There were also five children in the class called Lee - some boys and some girls - that was slightly more confusing.

[thatdearoctopus]

Dd had 4 Georges and 2 Georgias in her KS1 class. There was a parallel class with none. Didn't even occur to me that it was worth a mention. Kids are SO used to having the surname initial put after their name that last year I had a child sign his Christmas card to his mum and dad, "from Charlie G."
Thinking about it, I can't recall if I've ever had a class where at least one name hasn't doubled up.

[paxillin]

paxillin if a parent questioning this was the worst you have to worry about as a teacher, and would make you wish for my son never to be in your class then I worry for you and think you must teach in a very 'naice' school....

If this is the first communication everybody knows much worse will come.

I teach at a university. And yes, I still fend off helicopters who want to know about their 22-yo's every move. Unlike the teachers in school I refuse to communicate. They always make themselves known very early; often demanding to know stuff that is none of their business.

[Whatmusiccandoforchildren]

OP you are dotty. Time to retire gracefully.

[FluffyPineapple]

My son had 5 Connors in his class all through Primary School. My daughter had 4 Ciara's and my youngest is still in a class with 7 Toms

I'm not seeing your problem tbh. Kids cope....

[GreeboIsACutePussPuss]

Maybe there is a reason these 3 are together, for example DS' school had one classroom that had a loo next door and one that was a bit further, any children with toileting issues were put in the class with a loo. In my school we have a reception teacher who previously taught at a special school, she takes any we know might need her support. we also try to keep them with friends from nursery if we can, and have occasionally separated ones nursery have told us they've had issues with. Most schools have a criteria based on more than name.

Honestly as it's not your child I would stay out of it, the school cannot discuss other peoples children with you anyway, so they can't tell you if there is a reason they are in the same class and you will just come across as a busybody.

[Twozealotmorethan1]

paxillin I doff my hat... (But only a bit. PhD myself you see...)
That's a fair extrapolation you've managed there. Based on my description of one issue concerning my 4 year old's school, I'm destined to be a helicopter parent interfering in all manner of things related to his (hopefully) future and adult uni student self...

[paxillin]

Wait until there are real issues, you will devalue your input otherwise. Many requests rely on goodwill and you don't want to be "Three Sophie Complainant" if you rely on them moving your child because of friendship issues.

[GreeboIsACutePussPuss]

If this is the first communication everybody knows much worse will come. Oh yes!

[Twozealotmorethan1]

OfficerVanHalen 😂😂😂

Since when is it authoritarian to question something, but not to say 'How dare you ever ask someone in authority why they have taken a decision?' (Oh, ok, go on then, feel free, but they'll label you as 'bonkers', 'that parent', 'interfering' etc if you do.... Jeez!

Seems few schools have the motto 'question nothing, accept everything, conform.' Nice!

I think you're a bit confused....

[elfycat]

ShelaghTurner Wed 12-Jul-17 23:13:57
Bloody hell. You should have been a Sarah in the 70s/80s. I have never been anywhere where I wasn't one of about 15! Even now at the school gate there are three of us in my immediate friendship group and 4 in the class parents. My entire life my first name has been followed by an initial!

I did try that!

... and bloody stayed friends with one of them to this day... (oops outing self) Sarah E to the end of my days, There was always at least 4 of us (Waves to Sarah... my RL and MN friend out there)

[Twozealotmorethan1]

Thank you for that more measured and helpful reply paxillin.

[Lurkedforever1]

Do you get out much op?

I've met that parent various times throughout dd's life, but it's nice to see the inner workings. Thanks.

[Whatmusiccandoforchildren]

OP, this is not the moment to try to impress us with your PhD.

This is a pretty gentle thread. Don't take it personally.we all get mildly bothered by unimportant things and come here and get gently laughed at.... today is your turn.

[paxillin]

You can question lots of decisions. Ensure they affect you or your child though. And even if they do, pick your battles. Your complaint about an unfair teacher will be taken much more seriously if you haven't already gone in about lots of non-issues.

Things we questioned: a teacher disciplining the whole class every time one child misbehaved, daily drills in preparation for SATs, a serious incident with another child.

Things we let go: about a hundred small things, playtime schedules, uniforms, table settings, friendship squabbles...

[JoffreyBaratheon]

I once taught a class with 5 Matthews.

My kid's best friend the whole way through primary and secondary - and always in the same class as him - shared the same name.

I don't get why this even is a problem?

[BackforGood]

Paxillin has it spot on.
OP -People are really trying to help you. Do not make a complaint about this. You really will only make yourself look ridiculous.

The only thing that is worthy of questioning, IMO, is what on earth they are doing giving out lists of the names of all 90 dc, to all the parents ?

[coddiwomple]

I find it really weird that the school give out a list of names.

My local schools just put the class lists on the board, and parents find out which class their child will go to, so you do see the whole lists. Do other school have time to do differently? (genuine question, just wondering)

[Ceto]

The school shouldn't be handing out class lists unless it's had permission from every parent involved - otherwise it's a breach of the Data Protection Act.

[paxillin]

I would have loved full class lists for birthday invites. I had to stealthily photograph the coat hooks for a list . God knows what any witness would have thought I'm up to.