Is there any teachers here who can tell me if I'm being a fussy Mum or not?

[philmassive]

My DS is in year one. He is shy and a bit of a worrier so isn't much of a one for speaking out in class, although I'm told that he's much better in smaller groups.

His year group has just been 'streamed' (for want of a better word) in their spelling tests. He has been put in the lowest group. His birthday is in March and he is in with the children who have SEN help and the younger children in the year. My friend's DD is in the same group and she is well behind him reading-wise and has extra help with reading.

Prior to the streaming taking place he had only got one spelling wrong of the 20 or more that he had been given. He is doing very nicely in his reading and is at least at the expected level for his age and a bit more if I've understood things right! Generally there seems to be no problems with his work, or if there is I haven't been told.

This afternoon I mentioned it to his teacher and she said that they had been streamed according to their ability level reported when they came up from reception and that they would be re-checked after Christmas.

My question is this... does this seem likely? That his reading is good but his spelling might be a bit ropey? And does it seem fair to you that he had been doing well in spellings (doing quiz, feel, fair easily) and now he is on bus and bin?

I know I sound like an obsessed Mother but because he isn't the most outgoing in the class I don't want him to be left behind.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

They won't leave him there if it is not appropriate. There is no reason to believe that the teacher is lying about re-evaluating in January.

There is lots of movement between groups in infant schools.

Not a teacher so bump until someone can really advise you.

I got told my son was not mark making when assessed at school yet he'd been able to write his name and other words for over a year at playgroup. He also apparently had no interest in books, yet was reading the ladybird series well at home, cutting out the troll bits in billy goats gruff cause they scare mummy. I went into see the head and half a term later had his school report assessing him as bright!!!

You know your child best if this doesn't seam right to you give a nudge in January to make sure he gets that reassessment.

Is it just the spelling group that's streamed or is he in a low achievement group for other subjects?

I'm slightly surprised his teacher is streaming this far into Y1 and in accordance to the YR report. Dd was in the top group in YR but was moved into a middle group in Y1 for the first few weeks but the teacher did a lot of assessments that first few weeks and re-streamed everyone including dd.

Perhaps he doesn't achieve so well in class as he does when you're with him?

I guess you have to wait until after Christmas and see how things pan out.

If you are not convinced, I would suggest getting him assessed independently and taking the results into the teacher.

I am just totally against streaming at this age anyway and think teachers frequently make mistakes. My children are SEN anyway as they are dyslexic so does not affect me personally, but I don't think primary school teachers are always that bright.....

'I'm slightly surprised his teacher is streaming this far into Y1 and in accordance to the YR report.'

It would be normal practice for the Y1 teacher to teach Literacy in ability groups and according to the latest teacher assessment, which would have been Reception. It will quickly become apparent if he is working with the wrong ability group, and there is lots of movement between groups anyway in Y1 because children develop at differing rates.

They may just feel that he'd benefit from the extra support that he'd get on this table and tbh they don't spend much time at the tables.

Don't worry - in dd's class the tables do seem wuite fluid

"I am just totally against streaming at this age anyway"

All teachers use ability groups to teach Literacy and Numeracy - it's good practice.

I don't think some Mumsnetters are always that bright......

It seems odd to stream in mid-November based on reports from July rather than on actual experience from September and October. So I would be confused by the teacher's explanation. If she'd streamed from near the beginning of term based on the Reception report then it would make more sense.

Well Feenie, I am very bright and I am against streaming. There are lots of very good arguments against streaming at a very young age. Won't hijack this thread, but am sure you can do a search.

Children are grouped according to their abilities and more importantly their individual needs as every child's education should be based on their individual needs. Unfortunately one to one throughout the day is not available in schools so children receive the help and support they need in ability groups. If you were to try and teach the same to the brightest and weakest child in the class, the chances are no-ones needs would be met! Also a child who performs well in a spelling test is not necessarily a good speller... it is often a case of them having a good memory, they may not necessarily transfer the spellings they have learnt into their written work. Or have the tools they need to attempt words they have not learnt by rote. My advice would be not to worry so much at this stage (very easy to say as a teacher) May not be able to follow my own advice when my DS1 starts school. But having recently been made SEN co-ordinator in a school, to be recognised as SEN and get outside help or intervention in KS1 is virtually impossible as outside agencies put it down to developmental delay. If your teacher WAS worried I would like to think THEY would have approached you. Like others have said groups change all the time, maybe the group he/she is in is just to give spelling a boostX

Streaming refers to mixing children from different year groups, so that a younger brighter child may be taught with an older, less able child. I am also against this strategy, and the evidence you refer to would support this view.
Teaching a class of 30 in ability groups for Literacy is normal, good practice, and I doubt you would find evidence to the contrary.
My 'some mumsnetters aren't that bright comment refers to your earlier, asinine comment referring to teachers, many of whom are parents here. What did you expect?

Yikes.... wish I'd not got in the middle of that post!!!! Thought you were talking to me then realised.... Maybe I am one of those not so bright teachers!!!!!! LOL Or could be the wine!!!!

Sorry, Olamamas!

No worries! What year dya teach???? Or I'm actually sensing management???

Feenie, you misread my post. I understand completely how streaming happens I was just curious as to why this teacher had streamed the children in November based on a YR report from before summer holidays. Which groups have they been in so far in Y1? Hasn't she assessed them while they've been in the class in order to stream them according to their more recent efforts?

Senior management- Literacy co-ordinator. Y5 at the mo, Y2 for last 5 years and Y6 5 years before that. Can't remember before that! What about you? How's it ging back from maternity leave, are you full time?

Imaginaryfriend - haven't misread you, am having a 'discussion' with Fairymum.

In answer to your points, I agree it seems unusual to group children now on the strength of July assessments. Perhaps they haven't just been put into groups recently? Really, it will become obvious very quickly if your ds is in the 'wrong' group, and as previous posters have mentioned groups change VERY quickly at this age (and so hey should, their development changes all the time). Hope this thread has helped.

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Feenie, it's not my ds , I'm not the OP writer. She said her ds had just now been streamed into a spelling group I think.

Just got where you are coming from imaginary friend.... if based on Rec? why not done from Sept? Good point! But maybe time given for settling? It can take time for a child to settle in a new class with a new teacher and hopefully continuous monitoring will adjust groupings when and where necessary!
Have gone back part time Feenie! Supposed to be 2 days, however was given the role of SEN co-ordinator and with only 2 days in school is not enough! Am ending up coming in more for reviews, training courses, for chasing up IEPs etc etc.... Am never done with applications for ESAP statutory assessments, ed psychs and Inclusion services! Am making phonecalls with one baby attached to my leg and the other screaming for this that and the other!!!!! Sooooo professional! And don't get me started on the CAF!!!! Yet it is my release from 2 very demanding babes and time to count my blessings when I look at some of the difficulties that these children have! What about you? You full time?

Oops, sorry, now I have misread you! I direct my later comments to philmassive. But I wasn't talking to you when you thought I was , 'twas Fairymum, who was very rude.

Blimey, Olamamas, you've got your work cut out there! I went back full-time after 5 months - it was very dificult, ds wouldn't take formula and I ended up expressing in the disabled toilet every lunchtime, not a pleasant experience but I managed! My ds is nearly 3 now, and it's difficult, but I have a brilliant childminder so I manage. He is a terrible sleeper though; have done Ofsted on 3 hours sleep - not something I would recommend! We did well though.

The school, that is!

Well I'm never rude. I was obviously well streamed!