If you child is in the bottom ability grouping in year one

[Cortina]

If you have a child that is coping well academcially, above average reader for age and everything else is fine BUT they are in the lowest ability group in year one:

1. Do you worry that they might not achieve their potential in KS1 tests etc going forward?

1. Do you worry they won't be stretched enough going forward?

1. Do you worry that they might be placed in the low sets that don't truly represent their true ability in year 2?

1. Do you think, they are young they are enjoying school what does it matter?

1. Would it honestly be any problem as far as you were concerned?

I've seen many that seem unconcerned yet many that are unconcerned have children in higher ability groupings it seems.

Thanks!

At the school my DC go to the kids float up and down the groups - it's certainly not set in stone. Also, my children swap schools for junior, and the junior school seems to take no notice of the level the infants have placed the children in - they don't even seem to take any notice of their sats results.

jeee, thank. That's interesting and reassuring. Is it true generally across the board?

if they are above average reader why are they in lowest ability group? what is it that they are struggling with? you need to discuss with teacher.

eg it came up at parents night that teacher thought DD (year 1) did not have imagination as was not able to tell story from picture boards get this is something DD has been doing at home - it turns out DD is too shy and teacher misinterpreting shyness and reluctance to talk in front of class as inability.

It seems to be a particularly able year one class, many on level 5 to 6 plus ORT etc, which I think is above average for that age. Not sure if that makes a difference?

Thanks, beginning to get a clearer idea of what I need to discuss if that's the course of action I decide.

my dd is in the lowest ability group in yr 2. But she is behind in reading and maths - she's classed as still at yr 1 level. There's no way she'd be in that group if she were above average in anything. The groups aren't set in stone though and could well move around again when they go to juniors (although I've been told dd won't have caught up by then)

It would depend on who was in the lowest ability group. In DS's class (also Year 1) the lower ability group consists of children who have -er - concentration issues and those who have English as a second language. I'd be worried about him if he was in that group.

My dd is in the bottom group in year 1 for English and Maths.

Not worried at all. She seems bright to me and she is the youngest in the year of 90 kids. She is only 5 and I'm sure will catch up. Being a bit zen about it really as I was pressurised horribly as a child and fairly sure it did me harm emotionally (but not academically!)

If my child came out of school happy,had lots of friends and enjoyed school with a nice teacher - id be happy .

hear hear Riven

Blimey, I don't even KNOW if there are ability groups a dd's school and what one she's in... she's in Y1

No, no, no, yes and no.

Ds2 is one of youngest in his year, (in yr 2) and has often struggled. Things just don't seem to click as easily for him as for his big brother. However, he enjoys school and is reading at/about his age, is starting to 'get' maths and has a lovely group of friends.

Fortunately, I have had the experience of ds1's peers. Ds1 is one of oldest in his year and I've seen many of his go from struggling to 'it just clicking into place'.

Don't forget that somebody has to be at the bottom of the class. Have heard many parents speculating that it's the top and the bottom that get most attention and the middle group get ignored.

In Year 1 (in any year come to think of it) it's not just reading age, it's their comprehension.

Some children can read beautifully yet when you ask them a question about what they have just read, you get a blank look.

This is more common in younger children but some at secondary age can have a high reading age but can't tell you one single thing about the book they have just finished.

same here...ability groups? in year one???

He's doing fine if he's reading in year one

I have no idea what ability group ds is in. I'm surprised that there are different groups (we've not been told).

DS1 has been in bottom set since foundation 2. He needs to be there as he finds learning very hard. Ive been told there is no underlying problem to why he finds things hard, he just does. He is comming along slowly but surely and always tries his best.

DS2 was in bottom set in F2 Y1 and Y2. He had Reading Recovery in Y2 and was found to have Irlen's syndrome. Now this has been identified and we can work with his problems, he has come on and is now average in his class. He still has a bit of extra help as he still has some catching up to do but does not require so much support.

Children are put in sets so that they can work at a pace suited to them, if your DS is learning at the right pace then why worry. Correct me if Im wrong, but you havent said he is board or finding the work too easy.

did Op answer how a good reader could be in bottom group ?
seems odd to me aswell.

Is reading ability a sign of general ability? Ds is rubbish at reading but is apparently good at spelling, writing, maths.

DS2 is on the 'top' table in yr1 - but DS1 (now year 4) was always in the middle. To be honest, I don't agree with the groupings as I have seen DS1 upset over the years because he has never quite been able to reach the 'top' table.

Saying that, DS2 has really been allowed to fly this year because he has been grouped with children of a similar ability, whilst the ones at the 'low' tables do get the attention they need.

Speaking from experience - they all catch up to a similar standard at about yr3 - although there are always some that are high achievers and some that struggle!

I don't group by ability

I don't think it matters at all for the future but if it doesn't make sense to you ask the teacher for clarification as to why your dd is in the bottom groups, there may be an issue you are not aware of that you would prefer that you are aware of.