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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

What is normal in a year one class? DS now hates school!

37 replies

JuliaL · 10/09/2007 13:46

After looking forward to going back to school my DS has against his new classroom.
He says he doesn't like going to school anymore, that it is "too much work" and he is "scared". Certainly what I witnessed today shows a really sharp contrast to reception... the type of learning I remember from junior school. At registration they are sitting at desks with the task write "to the park" as many times as you can from memory. This strikes me as rather dull and turgid and I'm worried that he could be turned off learning. He is also now wetting the bed again. I'm pretty certain it is not separation anxiety but can anyone tell me what is normal for a year one class? Are they all so formal, or is it just this school. (if so, it looks like I've made a serious mistake in my choice of learning environment!).

PS He is not the only one now declaring he hates school. One child ran away on Friday and several others were screaming and had to be dragged in today. Other mums have told of crying children or tantrums.

Any advice gratefully received from one
very unhappy mum!

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Carbonel · 12/09/2007 23:07

My dc's new school has a sandpit in the Year 2 classroom - something dd is very happy about

Original poster

JuliaL · 13/09/2007 21:17

Oh dear, my woes are increasing. Was given a slot by the teacher to see her today. Turns out DS is not concentrating hard enough and is slow to complete tasks. I explained how unhappy he is, but that seems to small a thing to be taken into account. She wants to start him on an IDP (Independent learning plan). This will involve him being taken out of class to complete small task against the clock/eggtimer. If he does well gets a sticker, if not he will be kept in at playtime until he completes the task. Words fail me.
When DS was at nursery school he was singled out for his powers of concentration.. he certainly shows it at home, surely he doesn't have to be put on special measures straight away (or is it that there is an OFSTED inspection on Monday?). I refused to agree/sign the IDP - I was too shocked by their kind tactics with dealing with children who are finding it hard to settle. On top of that, there is little other than literacy and numeracy. The school does the bare minimum to get through both music and art. I would try to find another school, but all are full around here. I really don't know what to do. It is not just the teacher as everything is as the head wants it. There's a teacher on payroll without a class as she disagreed with the head's methods last year.

I spoke to DS and he says he is slow as the work is "too hard". that he has forgotten some of his letters and numbers and is 'scared'. I offered to help him remember tonight and he did a couple of hours enthusiastically of his own free will. Sorry for length but have to get it off my chest as DH is away. Really feel I've made the worst possible choice for my DS's education, but sending him to the local bootcamp. Getting ready for round 2 with the teacher tomorrow.

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Original poster

JuliaL · 13/09/2007 21:23

Oh dear, my woes are increasing. Was given a slot by the teacher to see her today. Turns out DS is not concentrating hard enough and is slow to complete tasks. I explained how unhappy he is, but that seems little to be taken into account. She wants to start him on an IDP (Independent learning plan). This will involve him being taken out of class to complete small task against the clock/eggtimer. If he does well gets a sticker, if not he will be kept in at playtime until he completes the task. Words fail me.
When DS was at nursery school he was singled out for his powers of concentration.. he certainly shows it at home, surely he doesn't have to be put on special measures straight away (or is it that there is an OFSTED inspection on Monday?). I refused to agree/sign the IDP - I was too shocked by their kind tactics with dealing with children who are finding it hard to settle. On top of that, there is little other than literacy and numeracy. The school does the bare minimum to get through music and art. I would try to find another school, but all are full around here. I really don't know what to do. It is not just the teacher as everything is as the head wants it. There's a teacher on payroll without a class as she disagreed with the head's methods last year.

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iheartdusty · 14/09/2007 22:27

JuliaL, just wondered how things are going and whether you have any more developments.

My DD has just started Y1 and is showing huge anxiety about reading. She was described in Reception as 'very able' and reads anything happily at home. But when I showed her the home/school reading agreement she got really upset, and cried "I won't sign it, I don't know what it is, what does it mean?"

All good points from her, but signs of an anxiety that just wasn't there before this term. I will try to talk to her about it this weekend.

Clary · 14/09/2007 23:37

JuliaL sorry to hear about the hard time your DS is having. It certainly sounds like a harsh introduction to yr1.

But please do consider getting together with the school to devise a helpful IEP. My DS1 has had one in yr 1 and again in yr 3, just to help him with things he finds difficult (mainly to do with starting his work quickly and asking for help when stuck) and he has made a lot of progress.

The school is there to help you, they want to help yr DS make progress, and maybe you can work together on what the IEP involves.

Original poster

JuliaL · 17/09/2007 17:38

Progress report: DS still wetting the bed every night before a school day. Have spent a lot of time with him over the weekend working out what he does/doesn't know, what is causing anxiety and there is clearly a self esteem problem developing. Am getting together with the teacher on Wednesday, will see how it goes. He has begun describing himself as 'lazy' - not word he has ued before. Fine if it is his thought, but not if someone else has described him that way. will let you know!

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msappropriate · 17/09/2007 19:47

Is it a state school? I just read out your posts to my dp who teaches yr 1 and he is very shocked. Especially about the clock sand timer thing.

Original poster

JuliaL · 20/09/2007 14:02

Yes it is a state school. All the children talk about the threat of staying at breaktime if they are "lazy". One other mum I know has also been hauled into to the see the teacher. Exactly the same accusations have been made... can't concentrate etc. Strangely enough this DS gets up in the morning to do his homework, unguided and finishes the entire sheet! Without being a fly on the wall I can only deduce that some of the teaching is a little on the dull side in there, especially since my DS finds learning fun with me.
After a terrible morning of tears yesterday and both DH and myself physically having to dress DS and carry him there, better start to today. Bedwetting is now nightly and since he is waking my 3 month old DS1, I've had to put DS2 back into nappies which he is none too keen about. Finally have slot to see teacher this PM.

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Sossy · 23/09/2007 21:54

Oh Julial, you poor poor thing. You have my- and it seems everyone elses sympathy. This is by no means normal, as I'm sure you're well aware, my DD's Y1 is nothing like that. It's utterly absurd to make them complete a task against the clock. If it was me, I can assure you my daughter wouldn't spend another day there. Can he stay at home with you (If you're at home obviously) while you're on a waiting list for another school? No 5 year old should be having the problems yours is, it's utterly disgusting. Please give me an update!

Toots · 24/09/2007 20:22

JuliaL I really feel for you and DS. DD1 has in the last week started similar anxiety. Tonight she told me 'when you come to parents' evening you'll think my work is rubbish. Because I am rubbish'. Wtf???? Where has that come from? She was doing really well in reception. Her class is a mixed yr1/2 class so there are quite a few kids a whole year older than her. I've never known her say such negative things about herself. That everyone is getting certificates and not her.

Poor little so and so's.

Toots · 24/09/2007 20:25

And FWIW, in your position I certainly wouldn't be planning to pull him out of school. Sounds like you've got a great way of working with him so he's confident, hopefully you'll be able to use those skills to get the school to wake up to what they're doing.

How was Monday?

AbbyLou · 25/09/2007 14:11

I can come to this from a teacher's point of view if that's any help.
Some of things your ds has been asked to do seem to be a little odd to me and there seems to be a lot of pressure very early on. At my school we work very hard in getting the transition right so the children are happy.
Having said that, many many children find the transition from Foundation to Year One a difficult one. A lot more is expected of the children, after all it is the start of their more formal education. I actually have Year 1 this year but i am still on maternity leave for another 3 weeks so I have missed the transition period this time.

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