Y8-2023/2024

We have the timetable. Excitment over top set science and maths. Mixed feelings over the remedial English because it means less PE (2 lessons rather than 3) because she doesn't particularly enjoy PE but its a break from lessons

We're joining the last-minute club - I've just ordered DD some new school shoes! We'd literally come back from the shops on Sunday when she mentioned that her walking boots had been pinching last week - and sure enough, her school shoes are also tight. Her feet have always grown steadily until now, and I asked her at the end July and she said they'd be fine...

Thanks for mentioning timetables - just looked online and I can see DD's new timetable. I didn't think to check! Nearly all different teachers from last year. No setting (grammar school) so no surprises in that regard, although they've muddled up the forms to create new teaching groups, so there will be a different dynamic in lessons.

We've had such a busy summer, she feels as though she'll be going back to school for a rest!

@LetItGoToRuin that will be the situation with our timetables too, much anticipation over who will get mixed with who etc. No timetable out for us yet though, expecting it probably tomorrow as they said one day before school starts. (Albeit only yr 7 in on Wed!)

We have a timetable too. She is starting Spanish this year and was really pleased a few of her friends are in her class.
Set 3 for French which is fine. She doesn't enjoy it and won't be doing it for gcse.
Her school (grammar) do usually set for maths but dd tells me they don't anymore so we shall see when term starts.
She's got pretty much a new set of teachers but has been asking her older sister about them and seems quite happy.

@LetItGoToRuin sounds exactly like DS, with the mix up of teaching groups, different teachers and no sets (also a grammar so maybe they do things similarly).

DS knows the few from his form that will be with him in the new groups, but won't know the rest of the people until school starts.

Thankfully Amazon prime saved us 😂 football boots and trainers finally sorted.

We have timetables too and the sets have confused me. He’s set 4 for English after being in top set last year, meeting expectations and predicted 7+ according to his progress report. Set 4 for Science too which isn’t a surprise as he got below expectations on his report but they didn’t give him his extra time in his end of year exams. They said he got 19/40 on one of his exams but when I looked he’d only answered 23 questions and hadn’t been given extra time. Frustrating as it was only a few weeks before I emailed about it and they said they’d make sure all his teachers were aware! Set 2 for Maths same as last year.

He’s very nervous and keeps saying he doesn’t want to go back. I think he’s worrying about the change in sets and if he’ll be with his friends or on his own.

@Spud90 that sounds really frustrating about the science exam, especially if they allocate the sets purely based on the results of the end of year exams.

@troppibambini6 it seems a bit odd to me that they are setting for French so early. Is is likely that the sets are just there for convenience, or are broadly linked to some other subjects for timetabling reasons?

I don't know whether to be pleased or not that there is no setting at this stage in DD's school. I know that the nearby boys' grammar sets for maths from Y8, but DD's school seems almost obsessively anti-competitive! I guess we just have to trust the process at our DC's schools...

There is Y8 parent briefing next week, at which we'll hopefully learn a bit more about what to expect this year.

@LetItGoToRuin yeah not too sure why.

Dd1 also went to the same school and when she was there they set for French, maths and science from year 8.
But only those subjects. It's a selective grammar so the standards are pretty high and usually set 3 get the best teachers.
Dd1 was in set 3 for all of them and got 8's in all of them so I'm not concerned.
Dd2 has visual processing disorder any extra teaching is gratefully received.

First day back tomorrow dd has spent the day cleaning her room and sorting all her new stationary. Let's see how long it lasts

Sets for maths and science here in Y8. Maths was set last year, but science is new.

DS2’s school set from the first week in Y7 for maths, English and Science. School is split in half with 3 sets on each side. DS was in top set for everything last year but in set 2 for maths/science this year which he has not taken well. I’m not surprised as he does not find maths easy. He has ASD only diagnosed at the end of Y6 and maths has always been more challenging for him but for his sake I really wanted him to stay in his old set as he struggles with change.
But we will see what tomorrow brings.

@ihearttc my DD was moved from top to second set in y10 for maths. It was the best thing for her. She was at the bottom of set one and didn't have a lot of confidence. In set 2 they went the teeniest bit slower and had a great teacher and it made all the difference. It just gave her time to 'get' it. She got her confidence back and came out with a 9 this year.

Ds is back to school today. 🤞 it all goes well this year. I'm finding this discussion of sets very interesting. Ds's school does set for some subjects (maths and English at least) but they don't make a big deal about which set you are in. Ds was moved up to the top set in English half way through last year. That was the first time I found out that there were sets and which one he was in! It's not listed on his timetable that I can see.

I’ve never been told what set my DD is in. I’m not entirely sure what the differentiation between the sets is or how many there are. I know she’s in a high set but it could be that there are a couple top sets.

Its in the class code on DDs timetable eg Ma/8Y1 means maths, Year 8, Y section, set 1. But some subjects are mixed ability, some are ranked ability. Plus the subjects are in blocks, as they don't all have history or IT at the same time... so your class in some subjects is decided by your ability in another.

@PuttingDownRoots thanks I've double checked his timetable and there is no code that could be a set. Just subject, teacher and classroom. Baffling.

We finally have a timetable for tomorrow. Some classes now mixed up (not set) for some subjects. DD happy that at least one of her little close friendship group is with her. She's just desperate to go back now.

Second day back, and things seem to be going ok.
DS is ok with the new teaching groups, has one close friend in the new groups so the works.

DS has mentioned they had a longer than usual form time first day back, as they will be making their choices in February (there will also be a parents evening with regards to choices).
They will continue with all of the subjects in year 9, but will have more hours for chosen subjects versus others.

Hope everyone else has settled in well

Hi Guys,

Can I join?
Start of Y8 not been great. They have back tracked on setting for maths, so we are in a mixed group again. I told DS to ask for more when he finished the work and had checked it. He did today, to be told there is no more, and he just needs to wait. We spent half of last year with a string of supply teachers, and we're desperately hoping this year would be better.

How do I set about getting DS appropriate work? He would be near the top of the top set if it was set. Maths just clicks for him, but he is rapidly getting disillusioned with it at secondary 😥

He's also in a new teaching group which is more disruptive than last year, and without any of the new friends he made last year, so feeling a bit sorry for himself.

@CatsOnTheChair I had the same issue with ds. Maths is his thing, and last year I was worried he would lose interest altogether because he was bored. I did post about my worry on this board, and received lots of informative replies. The best thing, in my opinion, would be to allow him to study at a greater depth at home (the topics he is covering in school). I know it won't compensate for the school, and the boredom so to speak, but it will continue to allow your DS to enjoy maths.
The only good thing I suppose, is that, he didn't have to worry about maths exams at all 😂
I would also definitely speak to school.
Hope the rest of the year goes well

@CatsOnTheChair that sounds really frustrating! I do think that maths is a subject which some just 'get', and it's not really something where you differentiate by outcome very easily at this level, so he can't really challenge himself.

Was the maths teacher at least kind when answering your DS when he asked for more work? If your DS is brave enough, I think it would be good if he could ask again next time, and the time after that. Then you have more evidence with which to contact the school and ask to speak to the maths lead, perhaps?

DD had a good first day back. She's actually pleased she has none of her close friends in her new teaching group as she wants to concentrate on her work, and if nobody is trying to chat to her she won't get into trouble! I thought that attitude was a bit sad, if I'm honest, but she says she's happy with the friends she already has. We shall see...

Thanks guys.
We know the teacher (she taught DS1 in top set in years 8 & 9). She's good, and I'm surprised by her response.

I've said he needs to keep asking and if now change next week I'll broach school.

But what do I want? Ultimately, I'm not going to get my prefered outcome - DS2 to be taught at an appropriate pace and level. So is the question how are they ensuring the top students are adequately occupied and progressing?

The at home stuff isn't a problem - DH and I can easily provide none curriculum maths stuff, and DS1 is doing well at the same school (top set in Y8,9&10 - so it's a change in policy). But DS2 is several leagues above his brother when it comes to numbers.....

That's does sound frustrating.... is she approachable? Is it worth a phone call?

You would think she would be keen to support a student excited to learn more.

Dd is loving the first couple of days back. She mainly likes her new teachers and really likes her form teacher which is good because last years left a lot to be desired. I feel nervous for her today. She started her period last night for the first time and she was a bit worried about when she could get to the toilets to change if she needed to.

Oh bless her @troppibambini6, I hope she's ok. Not sure what you're using, but my DD has period pants and has never needed to change at school. Which she's very grateful for as she basically never enters the school toilets if she can avoid it.

@RosieRiveting thank you so much I need to have a look at these. So you don't need to change as often? She's not keen on the pads already and has asked about tampax which is fine but im not sure in reality she will be ok with them but obviously will let her try whatever she wants.

Yeah you don't need to change as often, they'll tell you on the info for most how many equivalent pads/tampons they are equivalent to. My DD has found that she's fine all day and can change when she gets home without any worries. She's never once leaked. I bought Modi Bodi and Next ones, she prefers the former.