Does your school set for English?

[RosaLuxembourg]

I have various issues with the local secondary school where DD1 is likely to end up next year. One of them is the fact that they stream children from the beginning in Maths and other subjects but English is taught in mixed-ability classes all the way to GCSE. This is DD1's strongest subject and I was hoping she would have the chance to develop her interest in secondary school alongside other likeminded children. Other pupils and former pupils have complained that this not the case, that they are/were bored, unchallenged and spent a lot of time helping weaker pupils. The school openly admits that one of the reasons for the policy is that the weaker students do better in these classes.
I wondered if this is usual and what other people's experience is.

I don't know how you could teach unsetted classes. In year 7 (11-12 year olds) we have children with reading ages of 5-6 and those with reading ages of 14.

In maths we have some children who, at the age of 11-12 cannot tell the difference between a circle, square and triangle, and cannot draw them.

I am at a loss to know how you could inclusd them into a mixed ability class and not make them feel wretched.

I have to teach all mixed ability classes, no choice in my subject.....

I simply wouldn't know where to start with the ability range we see in our school.

And many of these kids are unsuported.

I taught two last year with reading ages of 6 who had no help in the classroom at all. they were in the 'bottom' set, and at least I could go at a pace that they could semi cope with, and spend ages ver the vocabulary.

How I would cope with them, and a child on level6/7 would be beyond me!

Don't thse children get terribly discouraged?

It is very very hard, juggling plates all the time.

We have a really polarised intake, either incredibly bright, who question everything, and also not very bright who really struggle to do anything.

I also get practically no in-class support, AND we have a special V.I unit, although they tend to get supported.

I am exhausted most of the time, and generally feel like a chewed piece of string at end of the day.

MB do you have any suggestions for DD who has a target of 7 for english but can't quite get there (the writing bit is the problem)

Oh goodness, I'm not the person to ask, English not being my subject!

You could google the qca website and look at the English level 7 descriptors I suppose.

But you need to talk to an English bod, not me!

here

What is it about the writing. Is it use of vocab or grammar or handwriting?

Oh God, just read that stuff from MB. Am currently on mat leave,and due back in May. and cannot face all that assessment and level jargon again.

Sorry for completely changing subject......

Sorry to bring it all back to you!

I have A level course work to mark....25 of 'em. I put it off yesterday as I have a stinking cold and feel grotty but ATM I'm off work and my kids are still in school so I must start today!

English teacher (ex) here...

Level 7 writing requires above all things, detail.As a general rule, the more detail your dd can put in to her writing, the better the grade.Attention to the task set is important - look at the purpose/audience of the question (e.g.Is it an article for teens or a newspaper report) .
Spelling, grammar etc are important but it is much more important to be using high-level vocab with occasional errors than to use perfectly spelt but more basic vocab.
I will post more when I think of it. Prompt me with any definite qu's you have!

Thanks, will find out what she needs tonight as she is bringing english folder home handwriting pretty awful (they are at school this week). Not sure why given high target as english always her weaker area (does much better in maths and science)