Mixed ability teaching vs sets

[redskybynight]

Just wondered about people's opinions / experiences of mixed ability teaching versus using sets at secondary level. Our catchment secondary where DS (currently Y6) will likely go next year does not set at all except for maths. Our 2nd closest secondary (that'll be the one shouting about its great results) sets in everything from day 1.

Having gone to a selective school myself I'm having a bit of a wobble about how mixed ability teaching (and this is a genuine range of abilities comp, not MC leafy enclave) will pan out. Reassurance (or otherwise, I'd rather know the worst!)?

so in English and humanities, why is mixed ability setting better for the high attainers than setting?

meant to say 'mixed ability groups' not 'mixed ability setting'

JudgeRinderSays - I bet someone comes along in a moment and says either that the high ability students will achieve regardless or better still, its good for them to mix with everyone as they will grow up to live in a mixed society blah blah. You get triple points if you get offered both!

it isn't imo judgerinder - i taught humanities and it was far better to have ability sets. it meant i was able to get the lower ability groups who allegedly were set to get e's into the c/d bracket by massively focusing on and teaching to their needs and working on their confidence and ensuring they didn't shrink in corners. it also meant with the higher ability groups you could teach high and aim for really high percentages of a*'s.

i don't think it's teachers pushing this agenda tbh. the trouble is we went for 'inclusive education' by putting all of the needs and children on all one site without putting all of the resources and professionals on the one site. great if short term money saving is your goal but if genuine inclusion and education and long term social harmony and equality is your goal then obviously the prognosis is not good.

My dd's school sets eng & maths only. I think that enough. To set every subject will too much too stressful.

To set every subject will too much too stressful.
why?

too stressful for who?

not for a teacher - believe me teaching a literacy based lesson like a humanities subject to a class of 30 in a 4x4 room who range from struggling to write their own name to a* level is whilst to busy trying to deal with behaviour to be able to get to individuals to help them with their learning needs is stressful.

stressful for the kids too.