Large class sizes vs small mixed year groups

[harman]

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I would go for the smaller class with mixed ages every time.

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I would normally say go for the smaller classes with mixed year groups. I have seen mixed classes work very well.

Here though my concern would be the small school - I really don't like schools that small. The pool of potential friends is that much smaller for one thing, and friendship problems are often magnified out of all proportion.

However, looking again, you say you already have children at the smaller school so presumably you know it well and like it. So in that case I would say go for it!

My son goes to a school that has between 50 and 60 children between 2 rooms. I haven't enountered any probs at all. He is quiet and sensitive, it's nice that both teachers, head and classroom assistants all know him really well. Havn't come across and friend issues.

DS1 will be starting first grade in August and he will be one of just 2 children in his year. His class of 15 will be made up of 3 different years.

He has 2 teachers and 2 teaching assistants.

We had the choice of sending him to the bigger school which had 35 children in one class, which would suit some children, just not mine

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Think you misunderstood me harman. My sons school is small and there's 2 years to each room. There's never many more than 25 to a class. One of the things I like about a small school is that all the teachers seem to know all the children well. The head teaches in both classrooms also. My son is quiet also and would probably fade into the background at a much larger school.

How many are in the actual class dd will be in? I assume the school has either 2 or 3 classes in it so class sizes will be fairly reasonable.
The problem with small mixed classes ive found is socially. My dd fell out with her best friend from last year, & because there are only 5 other girls in her year group who are already palled, up shes been pretty much on her own this year. In a larger class size this wouldnt be such an issue, she would simply move on & find another friend. My dd was previously very confident, but this isolation has been seriously draining her confidence. Im currently waiting on a place for her at another much larger school.

Small class sizes are generally thought to be a good thing - it's the main thing that you pay for if you go private. Although I think it's undesirable for a class to be too small, 35 is very large and I wonder how often the teacher marks written work or gets to interact with your child, other than taking the register!

hi all just read your dilema harman, i would def think about moving your dd to smaller class, my daughter was in a class with 30 children and she was falling behind alot, because she was quiet she was overlooked , she now attends an independant school with 15 in her class mixed ages, she loves it her confidence has really grown.

There has been some research done on so-called "invisible children" - those who are quiet, and get on with things, without causing a fuss - and unsuprisingly, they tend to underachieve ... granted, the research has been done in the field of modern language learning, but I think the basic concepts carry across to all children.

basic blurb here

If your child's teacher cannot say anything more than "she's ok", then there is a problem there - I'd be inclined to move my child to the smaller school.

Surely one of the key points is that the teacher can only say that your child is'ok'and really you feel that he doesn't know your child. IMO your first course of action should be to question why. I see a lot of posts on here about how parents can influence a school and surely recommending that the OP simply move her child is running away from the issue! Perhaps this teacher is like this with other children and not any good?

If your DD is quiet and you feel she is overlooked I don't think that by moving her you can guarantee it will make a difference. It may make it worse in fact for example smaller classes, smaller potential pot of friends. I would address this with your current school first and see what they have to say.

if you know the school because your other two go there then I would probably go for it.

My DS is in a similar school (about 80 in total, with year groups of 8-12 and usually 2 years per class). It is a very friendly school - they know kids from all the classes - and the teachers really seem to know them too.

I think maybe in the smaller situation they have more confidence to be themselves because there are maybe too few of them to feel the pressure to follow the herd.

dd1 goes to a small school with 25 in the class made up of mixed year groups

it works well for her and is a lovely school

I went to a tiny primary(22 pupils down to 15 when I left) it was a positive experience, my best friend was a year younger than me, there were two boys in my year... I don't remember the falling out ever being lasting...

I would love my dd to be in a smaller school, in Scotland SNP are talking about reducing class sizes, I think early years should have small class sizes and composite classes can have good points and bad, but if you are happy with the school for your other children and not happy with your dd's teacher's "she is doing okay"... what have you got to lose?

does your dd want to go to the same school as her siblings?

my dd is about to move to another school after the holidays, she is not keen on leaving her friends but I hope the only slightly smaller school will be better for her(she is the opposite of your dd, very demanding etc... but I think small classes benefit all kinds)

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Sounds like you have pretty much decided to move her Harman and I applaud your decision.

Hope it all works out ok for her harman. My eldest dd used to go to a 3 form entry school before we moved. She is also shy & was lost in a huge class. She is much happier at her current small mixed age class school. Its just the youngest who is having trouble due to lack of girls in her class. It doesnt sound like your dd`s current school is doing much to support her needs, so youve not got anything to lose by trying the new school. It will certainly make life a lot easier for you as well.

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Glad to hear that harman