unresolved set problem

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ds yr 8 prep school.
Set 1 Science, Set 1 English, Set 2 Maths at end of yr 7
Return for yr 8, timetable has changed, cannot be in Set 1 Science & Set 2 Maths as they are now 'paired'
ds moved down to set 2 Science due to timetable
2 sets, 15 students in a set. Ability in set 2 very low with all students except ds receiving some form of extra help. Set 1 is scholars and high ability.
Head has reviewed for 5 weeks and refuses to change the decision on the basis that ds 'weakness in maths outweighs strength in science' which wasn't even under question before. Head now says they will leave as it is until January when ds could move sets as they will just be doing revision!
ds bored, demotivated and now hates science.
Is it even worth raising a complaint with the governors or do we just accept this year is going to be like this and just forget about it knowing we will be gone by next year.
No option to move schools, (on bursary) CE in June, head very much refusing to consider any compromise.

I would make the time tabling issue the school's problem.

Be friendly and polite, but just ask for a meeting to discuss this further.

Throw in terms that make them sit up and listen, such as " Lack of progress" , "not sufficiently challenged", "no longer engaged" and present these issues as something the school needs to sort.

Out of curiosity, where will he be going next?

Once my son's private school knew I was sending him onto state school for secondary, they were less keen to jump through hoops for me...

Yes, I think that the question of where is he going next and what CE grades does he need is quite key in this.

Thanks. He'll hopefully be going to an independent senior school. Think I'll have to resolve this with individual teachers and just make sure theres some sort of plan beyond giving him higher level worksheets. He's had a really rubbish half term so need to get things back on track.

"He'll hopefully be going to an independent senior school."

Does he have an offer yet or is he sitting 13+ in November/January? If the latter then I think that you are entitled to be very clear as to how your school is preparing him for these exams. Schools seem to be divided by those who offer at 11 or so based on pretest/interview/reference, and then CE grades must be met, or those which offer based on a year 8 exam (13+) and CE grades are then just used for setting. Which route is your prep preparing for?

You're fighting a losing battle, as far as this school is concerned you are in the departure lounge. Can you not ask for the higher level text books or order from Galore Park . In the end CE won't make much difference as iirc he only needs 55-60% average anyway. Keep thinking he'll get a fresh start next year anyway and can move on.

I cannot see any reason why the science set 1 cannot be 16 children. It is better for working in pairs! It just shows how parents, despite spending lots of money, can be short-changed by schools that do not do the best for ALL their pupils. Whatever your choice of senior school for year 9 be very careful because you do not want the same complacency again. I would definitely ask how he is being prepared for CE and I would suggest higher level worksheets (how boring!!!) are useless without the teaching to go with them. Definitely take it further, although I have my doubts about the outcome too, sadly.

LIZS, do you know of resources I can use that are higher level but not just worksheets? Hes getting bored!

www.galorepark.co.uk/Science ? I do think you are overly worrying to be honest . If he is that keen he will pass and they will have covered the syllabus by end year 7 anyway so it is a case of consolidating that and he will have 6 months of revision. You could always look at GCSE resources for the same topics but then he may find himself bored at the next school. He's not scholarship level or needing to score exceptionally well in the higher tier papers for the schools he's entered.

I agree you're "in the departure lounge", and the governors will almost inevitably support the head. If it's any consolation my DS was demotivated and bored by math at his prep he even said it was his worst subject (despite being in the scholarship set at his prep so no where to go) and began to doubt his ability in it. Within a short time of starting at his senior school everything changed, he was moved to the right set and he started talking with passion and enthusiasm about calculus and other math terms that mean absolutely nothing to me.
Frankly I think you'll both have to grin and bear it, there isn't much longer to go just concentrate on him getting the right marks for his entrance exams as said above try some galore books at home.

thanks. grinning and bearing it but hes been totally demotivated by it and daily homework battles are now happening (which I know I should let him pay the price for lack of homework etc, school seem to be handing out sanctions all over the place which I've supported and then makes me the 'ogre') He keeps saying it all feels so pointless and when I'm positive he tells me I've no idea what its like! Really do need to get him.back on track because hes getting pulled up for all sorts of silly behaviour (again, I've supported the school) and had some bullying, in fact the last 5 weeks feel like a complete write off to him, with all the usual names receiving merits etc whilst he just gets more and more negative comments.

Hate to say it but Year 8 in a prep school is boring academically. By definition it is full of revision and practice papers with little new syllabus work and lots of rivalry over who is sitting for where. ds went through it but we opted to move dd at 11 in part for this reason.

didn't have any prior experience of independent ed or CE, suspect moving at 11 would have been wise, oh well, he'll get his head round it I'm sure. Thanks for help.