Mixed Y2/Y1 class- not happy

[Schoolwoes]

My son's school has had to implement a mixed Y2/Y1 class for next year as his current reception class has 31 children. (I've no idea how this was allowed to happen- but two children have appealed during the year and gained admission).

This is unusual for our school- it is usually a one form entry, and TBH that was one of the reasons I chose the school (in contrast to two other schools in our town which have one and a half form entry and mixed year classes are the norm).

This coming year will be good for my child as he will be in a solely Y1 class of about 20. Next year, however, if they follow the same arrangements, he will be one of only 6 Y2s mixed with the then Y1s. (They've based this on age rather than ability).

While I can see the benefit of smaller classes, I feel this arrangement will penalise my son, who is currently performing above average (although I appreciate this could change over the next year in which case I won't be as worried). Does anyone have experience of their child being one of the older children (in a minority) in a mixed class with younger ones?

Is it usual for mixed year classes to be mixed on the basis of age rather than ability (the latter being more logical IMHO, although I can see from the school's POV more controversial with parents). Any advice or thoughts? Am I worrying unnecessarily?

GiddyPickle, thanks for replying. I really don't know what to do. I'm considering looking at some other schools, which is a shame considering I've been very happy with the school up until now.

DS has been in mixed classes for all or part of the day since year 1 and it has never been a problem. He is always taught literacy and maths in his year group though, and set. From my POV it's the strength of the way they do it at his school. More staffing, smaller set classes in the morning, then mixed year and ability in the afternoon.

I'm not sure why this is a problem. The teacher will plan lessons to meet the abilities and needs of the pupils in their class. This would be the same if it is a same age or mixed age class. Plus you get the advantage of really small classes. Can't see the problem myself.

TFM, it would be the other way round at my son's school: literacy and maths will be taught in the Y1/Y2 class and other parts of the curriculum: music; PE; art etc. will be taught together as Y2.

I guess my concern is that it is more difficult for the teacher to differentiate across a wider range of ages. But Cece, it sounds as though you don't think this will be a problem for the teacher?

Thanks for replying.

I suspect your worries are unfounded, OP.

DS (now yr5, November birthday) was in one of 3 classes merged with the year below last year and this (merged on social mix, not age or ability). DS is quite high ability, probably the most able pupil in his class across all subjects (he thinks so, anyway!! ).

Last year the school streamed all of Yr3+Yr4 for literacy and maths: they moved around to different classrooms for those subjects. This year they are just streamed for maths and they do literacy within their "home" classroom.

On the whole I think the system has worked well academically. I'm less enamoured on the social side, but I suppose that might be an issue for DS anyway

Most classes have a very wide range of abilities within them. The age thing is almost irrelevent. I have had a Year 5 class with children with a reading age below 6 and above 14 in the same class.

Thanks for reassuring me. I think part of my problem maybe that I don't have much idea what goes on in a primary classroom and my son doesn't give much away!

As Cece says, teachers don't really mind mixed year groups - they will just teach every child to their next step and where they need to go anyway, regardless of their year group.

Our school does mixed year group classes at KS1 cos it has an intake of 35..can honestly say 2 years in it has been fine..and other parents whose kids have been all through ks1 in the mixed classes before they all come together in y3 have all said they never had an issue with it.

I was more worried in case DS was seperated from his friends but luckily the way the class was split he was always with his closest friends luckily....but i def wouldnt move ur DS from the school if he is happy

Thanks guys. . Seems I'm being a bit neurotic. I just can't get my head around how the teachers differentiate the work, but it sounds like they do so it's my problem.

DS was in mixed Y1/Y2 for both those years; DD was in separate Year group classes at same school.

IME DS's experience was far better - the teacher was in the right mindset to set level-appropriate work for all the children, whereas in the single year classes the middle of the class was taken as the level and all worked set accordingly. Also in the mxed year class behaviour was much better - the Y2 kids set a good example for Y1 and also enjoyed the added responsibilities of being older. All in all a very positive experience, DS got level 3s in his Y2 SATS and learnt how to concentrate and behave well.

DD on the other hand made very little academic progress in her class and spent both years sitting quietly whilst the teacher tried to get the disruptive kids in the class to behave...