Set stress - year 7

[setstress]

I've name changed for this as I don't want to be linked to other threads. DD started secondary school on Friday - out of 6 sets she has been placed in set 5 with several of the same people she was in primary school with. Several of these children have additional needs/ autism diagnoses.

I'm shocked she has been placed in such a low set and more than a little upset - primary have never indicated she has struggled and has been a steady "as expected" on school reports. I certainly wasn't expecting top sets but this has really worried me. Is it worth speaking to the school? I don't want to be labelled as "that" parent yet and if that is where she that is where she is but it certainly isn't where I want her to end up permanently so it would be good to know what we can do to help (tutoring etc)

If anyone is interested in the research behind sets vs mixed ability (mixed is better...)
www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2017/sep/schools-teaching-ability-sets-despite-evidence-may-cause-harm

educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/evidence-summaries/teaching-learning-toolkit/setting-or-streaming/#closeSignup

The attitude towards "lower leaning demographic" is why setting persists despite research which states that it is not effective. In my classes (at GCSE as well) I have a number of students with SEND and targets of below a 4 because grouping them that way means they can access specialised TA support of which there is a real shortage. Doesnt mean the number of students in there who have targets of a 9 won't achieve them. Needs a more skilled/proactive teacher and ensures better attainment for ALL.

(mixed is better...)

A very simplistic reading of the research which is also misrepresented by the EEF.