Mixed age classes KS1

[moosemama]

Does anyone have any experience of this system and if so was it successful.

My son's school has just announced out of the blue that next year they will be having

1 class of the youngest reception children from this year

1 class of the oldest y1 children from this year
and

1 mixed class of the youngest y1 children and oldest reception children from this year

There has been quite a reaction among the parents of the children who will be in the mixed age class (my son will be in that group) and I'm dreading explaining to my son that all his best friends will be in a different class because they are 'older' than him.

It doesn't seem right to me that half of the children from the current y1 get to stay in a single aged class but the other half are being mixed with younger children. There has already been name-calling in the playground with the older y1 kids telling the others they are being held back a year and will be in the babies class!

It seems that this particular year will suffer from inequalities in their education with the single age 'older' children having greater opportunity and potential to 'outperform' the ones in the mixed age group.

I may be wrong but it makes sense to me that one teacher and teaching assistant with children of the same age and roughly the same achievement will obviously cope better than one teacher and assistant with children of two different age groups and widely varying achievement. I have been told by one of the reception children's mums that her little boy struggles to write small words whilst my son has recently been writing poetry and creative writing/stories.

It has also been noted that due to the gender split in the year some of the younger girls are being put in the single age 'older' class - coincidentally (perhaps) the girls concerned are some of the highest achievers in the year.

I understand that the problem has arisen due to falling class numbers and the resultant funding cuts, but feel quite strongly that this appears to be creating a two-tier system in the school.

My son does very well in his current class and whilst not being a super-brain is achieving much better than many (not all) of the children he will be put with. In addition, he is now being moved into a class with some of the bullies that made his reception year hell, but have pretty much left him alone this year as he spends most of his time with his best friend who is one of the oldest (and biggest) in the year.

It seems such a shame to split the group as all the teachers that have taken my son's class over the past three years have said what a lovely group they are with a great dynamic and are a pleasure to teach. This has been borne out for me by how much my little boy has come on both academically and emotionally/socially over the past school year.

Has anyone ever experienced a similar thing where some of the children from a particular year are put into a mixed age group but others get to stay in a single aged class?

[hermionegrangerat34]

We moved area and schools two years ago, and I was horrified to discover that my son was in a mixed age class like this in the new school. Even worse, they did the same age split thing, but because the classes had already been set when we moved, he was in the 'older' mixed class instead of the younger just yr1 class, despite being the youngest in the year!
I was very, very worried, but in fact he has been absolutely fine, and has made friends with children from both classes as they spend a lot of time together anyway. In this school they have literacy and numeracy in year groups altogether, and without the children knowing it, the tables are 'streamed' (I've only just worked this out myself! So eg, 'blue' table is the slowest children, 'orange' the high achievers), and so the work can be differentially set very easily.
So it was OK! Don't panic.

[rosealbie]

This is pretty standard where I live as a lot of the schools are small village schools. Most of them start off in mixed year group classes but one near to me does have the same arrangement as you describe. I don't think it causes too many problems though. I don't really have personal experience though as the school my children go to is larger and has two classes of each single year group.

[moosemama]

Thanks.

I guess if we had been properly informed and prepared for it we would all have handled it a lot better.

The headmaster (new headmaster - new broom!) just sent out a letter saying he was having a meeting to discuss plans for next year - no indication of how important the meeting was or that all parents of reception and y1 needed to attend. Then it was just dropped on everyone like a bombshell.

Lots of parents couldn't even make it to the meeting and were completely unaware of the situation until their children brought home a letter after school the next day.

I think if we had at least expected something we would have been better prepared with the right questions etc. Instead everyone just panicked as it is something completely outside their range of experience.

I have since found out that the headmaster just wanted to send out a letter to each parent saying which class number their child would be in next year with no explanation as to what it actually meant - apparently the parent governors told him he couldn't do that or he would have a riot on his hands!

I have read a bit about the benefits of mixed-age groups and am aware they will be taught by ability for literacy and numeracy, but I am still not happy that it is only half of the year that are being put into a mixed age group, especially as it is already causing a split between the 'olders' and the 'babies' in the playground.

It just seems to me to lack 'equal opportunities' after all, if they are so sure mixed age is the way to go why didn't they mix the whole of y1 with the whole of reception.

It feels a bit like our kids are being their guinea pigs.

DH and I are scheduling an appointment with the headmaster to discuss our concerns in more detail, but several other parents have now also said they want answers and am wondering whether it wouldn't be a better idea to schedule another meeting for all the concerned parents to get round the table with the HM.

Worst thing is it has really created a them and us attitude amongst a lot of the parents, with the parents of older children in y1 basically saying 'I'm alright Jack - your problem - you sort it out!'

[Bucharest]

My dd is in a mixed agegroup nursery class (I know it's not the same as primary but just wanted to share as it's proving to be a really positive experience.) There are children aged from 2.5 to 5 all in the same group. They are divided into age bands for some activities, music, art, foreign language....and then all muck in for the other activiities.

[moosemama]

Thanks for sharing your experience Bucharest I really appreciate hearing positive stories about this.

Am coming round to the idea that the mixed group could work and even be beneficial, but I guess I can't get over the fact that its only some, not all of the children in his year that are going through this new system.

Not helped by the fact that I have found out this afternoon that more of the younger 'high achievers' have been put in the single age group, which smacks a bit of them wanting an 'ace' class which will fly the SATs next year and improve the schools figures and reputation whilst the others in the mixed group will be 'average' students.

This would tie in with general opinion on the new Head as he has a bit of a rep for pushing schools on then moving to the next one using the last as a step on his career ladder. Such as shame as before he came the school was a real community with a lovely Head who really cared about the children and the school.

Hey, but who knows, I could be being totally paranoid, I know I am a bit oversensitive at the moment due to pregnancy hormones. Don't think it is that though as there are plenty of other parents thinking along the same lines.

[lljkk]

Our school has
2 classes each of reception, y5, y6
1 class each all y1, all y2, all y3, all y4
1 class each mixed y1-y2, mixed y2-y3, mixed y3-y4

Plus-side: Most the classes have 26-27 students -- nobody gets called a baby even if with youngers, they split the classes up by friendship groups mostly,

All classes have to cater for mixed ability, anyway. Eg,. in DS's all y3 class some kids can barely read at average-y1 level, others have reading age 12+.

Some of the Y3 parents were quite upset last year... only one child got moved after request -- the son of a parent governor. That said, the parents of those who were mixed with youngers this year are saying that it's worked out fine (their child's needs being met).

[frogs]

In fairness, you can get hugely unmanageable ability/maturity differences in a same-age class.

In dd1's primary class (one-form entry school, so no mixing at all, ever) there was a large cohort of autumn-born children who were very low achievers (several couldn't read at all going into Y3, and failed to get Level 2 in Y6, for example). Conversely there was a little group of summer-born children (9-10 months younger) who were reading Lord of the Rings in Y3, and having opinions on Shakespeare.

I think most of the parents (and the teachers) of that class would have been thrilled at the opportunity of mixing the class up with another age group to get a more even spread of levels.

[Gobbledigook]

At our school we have 2 mixed classes, so 'infants looks like this'

2 straight reception classes (30 each)
Reception (10)/year one (20)
Straight year one class (30)
Year one (20)/year two (10)
2 straight year two classes (30 each)

It really doesn't seem to be an issue - it's been this way for a very long time adn it's an 'outstanding' school at teh top of the league tables.

Ds2 is in reception in the mixed class and he has thrived there.

[Littlefish]

I'll be back later - I've just got to put dd in the bath. I have taught a mixed Rec/Yr 1 class in the past and absolutely loved it.

[lilolilmanchester]

DD went through mixed classes in infants, which the school had to do when the 30 limit came in for infants, as the infants feed junior classes of 35. It really has not been a problem. Infact, it has its advantages, with the children getting to know other children from other classes and feeling more confident with change. There will always be mixed ability in any class, teachers are trained to deal with that. Ours are taught in groups depending on ability. I think it worries the parents more than the children, and no evidence in our school of it affecting the children's progress, as far as I can tell.

[moosemama]

Just wanted to thank everyone who has contributed. Sorry I disappeared on Friday, terrible morning sickness.

DS1 has now had the new class system explained to him and while we have had some tears, mainly due to the fact that his best friend of 3 years is going into a different class, on the whole we have been able to gee him along and get him to see it as a positive and exciting change.

I have heard and read plenty of really good things about mixed age group classes and feel that the teachers, who are lovely, will handle it all very well.

I am still a bit about the Headmaster's tactics though and we will be arranging a meeting with him to discuss our reasons for feeling unhappy.

For those of you who have 'single age' and 'mixed age' classes for the same age groups iykwim I would be interested to hear whether or not you felt one type of class outperformed the other and if so, which group do you feel had the better outcome.

[mummydoc]

this is one of the main reasons we chose to privately educate our dc, i know lot sof people have come on wiht +ve stories but if it is an age split at your ds's school why have the younger but high achievers been put in the single yr group class ?? i would be very concerned this is devious streaming by hte ne whead.

[Romy7]

even if it is 'devious streaming'is it really so terrible? if it's putting same ability children together to allow the teacher to concentrate at the appropriate level? it's not great if it's being sold as 'single age' but i don't know if i'd be that concerned as it is obviously due to overall numbers and only having enough kids to warrant 3 teachers and 3 TAs over two school year age groups... someone has to be in the mixed class, and the kids are usually streamed for lit and num through KS1, so it makes sense to draw the lines wherever the groups are divided... it doesn't have to be done in a provocative manner, and tbh it sounds like it's the parents in the mixed age group class that seem to be worried that their child is being somehow denigrated - the ones that will fly their SATS will still fly their SATS, and the other teacher will be bringing on the ones who are not quite top 3s! the school are unlikely to jeopardise an outstanding grade...
DS1 was in a foundation unit where they had a mixed pre-school and yr R class, alongside a straight yr R class, and then a variety of mixed ability and age classes as the school had a 60% foreign nationals intake. I was absolutely horrified and couldn't get my head round how DS1 was going to meet his potential in a class where over half the pupils couldn't speak english. it turned out to be the best school he has been at - absolutely fantastic and i would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone else.
your plan of airing your concerns with the head are the best, hopefully he will be able to reassure you, i know my concerns were totally unfounded.

[moosemama]

mummydoc that is exactly what I felt. Its streaming in disguise.

The official line is that they have put'some' of the younger girls in the single yr group to even out the gender split. They wont give us a class list so we have no evidence to back that up, the only way we can tell who is in which class is by talking to other Mums in the playground.

I do know however, that at least 3 of the younger girls being put in the single year group are from the top ability group in my son's class! It all seems highly suspicious to me. We will be taking it up with the Head and if we do not get satisfactory answers we will go to the Govenors if necessary.

I only wish we had the option of private education, unfortunately we struggled to move into a good area with 'good schools' and are currently feeling very let down by the school, as we have sacrificed a lot to keep our kids there.

It isn't just about the new structure, but also about the way it has been handled and the way it has upset so many parents and children. It just doesn't feel as if they have been upfront and honest about it all.

[moosemama]

Romy7 well yes, actually it is. I don't want my sons to attend a school that can't be honest about its intentions to parents.

Yes, sure, high achievers will always be high achievers but surely the overall SATs results for the school will be raised if they have a whole class full of high achievers who are taught and pushed to achieve at the top level.

DS1 and a couple of his 'new' classmates would generally be considered just below those in the single age group, but from what we and their parents can work out, they are in the minority in their new class with most of them being much younger and/or not doing so well. It seems that there is a serious risk of them not being challenged in the same way as those in the single year group (whose teacher will have less of an ability span to deal with and therefore greater focus). So they will end up with one group with great SATs results that will bring up the overall school result and one group with probably average results.

It seems to us, and others, that the school's real motivation is that if the high achievers went into a mixed age group they would not get such 'fantastic' results as if they were all put into one group and therefore would benefit from a more focused teaching process. If that's not their motivation, why not split the whole of y1 and y2 into mixed age groups, especially if it really is so good for emotional and social development and would have no effect on the achievement of individuals?

What bothers me is not the concept of mixed age teaching. I understand that each child will have their own targets etc etc but still feel that what has been created is a two tier educational system within the school.

[critterjitter]

"In addition, he is now being moved into a class with some of the bullies that made his reception year hell"

I think this has to be your main argument with the Head. Did you document any of this when it was happening? If so, use it.

I personally agree with putting younger Year 1s with older Reception children. There is very little, if any, difference between a September born Reception child and a child born a month earlier. My DD has battled through a year in Reception with children up to a year younger than her. She has been bored, bored, bored. The classwork is generally aimed at the younger ones (she's been told off for counting beyond 10 and asking for more challenging books), as are the activities (colouring in pictures of Cinderella.)

[Romy7]

I quote 'it's not great if it's being sold as'...

don't have any beef about the honesty, but do want to point out that the 'high achievers' can't get any higher than 3s anyway in the current system, and will get them whatever class they are in.

the children in the 'middle ability' class (if you're convinced that the age thing is the head lying to you) will be targeted apprpriately. even in that class they will be streamed into groups, so your ds will obviously be in the top group and challenged appropriately. i don't know any primary school where children are not streamed 'deviously'. it's to protect the children from being called nerds or thickos by the opposing group.

but, yes, have a word with the head if bullying is an issue obviously.

[AVC]

I'm interested to hear any more feedback as our local village school has also just announced it plans to introduce this and I'm interested to see what you think.

Everybody here starts school in the September of the academic year they're five.

The school has stated that the only reason for the introuduction is financial as budget cuts mean it has to lose a teacher and all classes apart from reception are already mixed.

The plan is to have a pure reception class of the 30 youngest children (born January to August for Sept 2008 class) and a mixed reception/year 1 class. The mixed class will be the 15 oldest reception children and the 15 least able year one children. Each class will have one teacher and possibly a classroom assistant for most mornings.

My worries are:

• how you deal with 15 children who are new to the school with 15 who have been at school for a year.
• how you teach such a mixed ability group. I appreciate that the rest of the school is mixed, but I think this is especially emphasised for reception eg how do you teach jolly phonics from scratch when half the class has no idea what it is and the other half learnt it last year.
• how you then deal with a child who stays in that class for the second year if deemed to be the least able. Effectively repeating reception.

I am just worrying unnecessarily?