DS (Y1) offered place in Y3/2 class - WWYD?

[typhoonballoon]

DS is just finishing Y1. New class structures mean that 8 children from his class have been identified as likely candidates for a Y2/3 class, and 8 are staying down in the Y1/2 class, which leaves 30 in the straight Y2 class.

DS has been chosen for the Y2/3 class,I have been told,on the basis of his last assessment ( wasn't aware they were assessed in Y1 ) , his learning style ( the Y2/3 class will be taught in a more formal style, more individual work sitting at a desk etc than the straight Y2 class )and his social and emotional development.

I have a few concerns. The straight Y2 teacher is one of the best in the school. The Y2/3 teacher has one of the worst reputations in the school, however, some parents speak well of her. DS will be split from all his friends ( its mostly girls going up ). He'll be primarily with Y3 children, some of whom he knows.

DS does like sitting at a desk working on his own, so I can see the learning style would suit him but am worried as well that its a KS2 learning experience and he's technically KS1, I am concerned he will be expected to behave like a Y3/KS2 child.

The work as I understand it will still be tailored and he'll still do some Y2 stuff ( I think he's been doing some this year, he's currently in a Y1/2 class ).

I technically have a choice to either go with their recommendation or opt for the Y2 straight class but need to let them know ASAP " as we'll offer the place to someone else".

Long winded sorry. WWYD?

With hindsight (I have a Y4 and a Y7 DC) I'd probably go for the class with the learning environment that best suits your child, otherwise you may find yourself on here in 6 months saying DS is happy at school but getting lazy as he's waiting for everyone else in the class to behave/sit still/catch up with him.

I guess it depends what your priorities are for him and only you know that knowing his ability to self-motivate etc. IME Mixed year classes are great for bright boys as they are able to work at their own level and get good behavioural standards set by the older kids. When they become the older kids they are aware that they have to lead by example and that can be fab for promotoing maturity and confidence too. My DS who is pretty bright did far better academically and socially in mixed year than single year classes.

I would go for the class above. He is already working at yr 2 level. He will get bored very quickly.
They still play all together so will see his friends for playtime.

Very difficult situation to be in. What to do for the best.
Good luck.

I'd ask for the Y2 class because he's so little...there's a LONG time ahead for him to sit at a desk in a row of desks. And better to be with his friends.

I think I would want to know what will happen the year after. How will the classes be split then? There will be the potential of him being split from friends again, maybe repeating topics etc. If it was me, I would choose the whole yr2 class if that's an option. The work should be differentiated wherever he goes so shouldn't be a problem.

I'd ask for the Y2 class because he's so little...there's a LONG time ahead for him to sit at a desk in a row of desks. And better to be with his friends.

2 votes each so far! Thanks - some interesting insights.

Its a new structure so I think there is an element of trial so next year is very much an unknown. The proposed structure is for a Y2/3 and a Y3/4, although its still unclear whether the Y3's will be streamed or done as in past years on age. Will know in the next week what they are doing with Y3's from Sept.

hocuspontas are you sure the work is always differentiated? hasn't been my experience in state system - they may sit them on different tables but if you are on the top table and are way ahead of your peers then you won't necessarily get extension work as you are on the top table anyway.

DS was bored rigid in Y6 as the school expected them to consolidate for SATs all year - top set didn't do any new topics in maths and the work clearly wasn't differentiated at all as the whole year just practised SATs tests etc.

good point thirtysomething. I felt this year he was stretched as it was easy for them to do in a split year, so I guess the same applies again, as long as the teacher picks up on it, if appropriate.

I'd go with the best teacher.

Dd has just spent the year as one of four yr3 children in a yr4 class, it's been interesting! Academically it was probably good for her. There was a bit of trouble with some of the yr4's getting narked because the yr3s were doing better than them. The main problems have been with all the extracurricular stuff - trips, sport, music, special topic days. Every time there has been a fuss about whether they get to do what yr4 get to do, or go back in with yr3.

I'd want to know how they're going to deal with topic work and what they will do next year and the year after to make sure he isn't going to end up in a class covering topics he has already done.

I'd go with the year 2 class. Year 2/3 means key stage 1 and 2 are mixed...not good IMO!

Thanks. DS is my eldest so have a really basic question:

What is the difference between KS 1 and 2? ( in relation to why its bad that they be mixed?)