General Chat

It's often done because of numbers in year groups and child teacher ratio. We implemented it at one time, because we had approx one and half classes for both yr1 and yr2 - some children would have had to be in a mixed age group class, so we felt it was fairer to have 3 equal mixed classes instead. For English and Maths, we cut across the class groups and had 3 'sets' - one for yr one and two and then the children from each year who were struggling, went into a smaller set to give them more individual attention. Other subjects we all did the same lessons. One big spin off was that at the end of the year, all the yr 1's stayed with the same teacher and this really helped them, as there was no break in child/teacher relationship or having to adjust to a new routine. They enjoyed helping the new yr 1's to settle in and this was good for their social skills. Some of the ones who had been retiring yr 1's really blossomed and came out of their shell the next year as yr 2's Jay

Thanks for all your replies.... I think that I just cant see how its gonna work. To my mind the teacher stands in front of the class and tells them how to do something - look in this book, etc... surely that will only apply to half the class???? Whats the other half supposed to do while this is happening?? I suppose they have a different way of teaching other than standing in front of the class?!?!?! My son is a boiserous child, who wont have a problem fitting in with older kids... more the contrary. I'm worried that he will 'grow' too quick in confidence!!! Clare x

Hi Clare, My youngest children go to a small , village primary with 41 pupils. They are in years R and 3. There are 2 classes, there were 3 up until 2 years ago but numbers have dropped. Reception, years 1 and 2 are in one class and years 3 to 6 are in another.It works very well as the teachers and TAs and specialist help work in a way that age related work gets done and the children feel they are part of a big family, Hope this helps, please PM me if you have any questions, Caz x

I am all for teaching by ability, but I do wonder how a timid four or five year old will cope with being amongst much bigger children (and they do seem to 'spurt' between five and seven.) My grandaughter when she was in the reception class and aged four had to go through the older children's class to get to the loo. Hence she had quite a few accidents because she put off going, being intimidated by the thought of having to go past bigger boys and girls. Or will the older ones suffer because teacher has to spend a lot more time with the younger ones? As somebody said, it has happened before, so why did they abandon the scheme? And why are they always intent on re-inventing the wheel? Ann Glos

My kids have this at their new school, I'd never heard of it before. My daughter gets on with it ok, her birthdays in September so she's the eldest in her class anyway, so has something in common with the older kids. My son seems to be ok, although some of the older lads are a bit rough and ready, but they play football together and get on ok. I won't know until I go to parents evening this month how they're doing really. The school only has 160 kids in, so I suppose it makes sense doing it this way. My concern at the min is disruptive kids taking all the teachers attention, while the rest of the kids are left to get on with it.

Ah! if he is an August child he will be fine. My eldest son missed reception because he was born in August and had to join in with the year 1 children most were more than a year older than him, they taught by ability not age which was better for him as he was allowed to build up his confidence. He is an A grade student at his secondary school - im sure the start he had made a huge difference to him.

Thanks clare... I have never really heard of it, just a bit worried for my son. His birthday is aug 29, and in reception at the mo. In effect, he could be taught in a class with children almost 2 years older - doesnt seem right!!! Clare x

This happened when I was at Primary school in the 70's I was an august child so it meant that i wasnt the youngest in the class, most of my friends were in effect the year below me. The only problem came when i went to secondary school and had to leave them behind.(im still in touch with most of them now and the age gap is nothing). I joined secondary school in all the top groups so it didnt do me any harm. Im sure it happened a lot 20 or 30yrs ago and they seem to be bringing lots of educational ideas they had then back in now.

Has any one had any experience on how this works... at my childrens primary school, they are going to integrate years 1 and 2 and years 3 and 4. ie, teach the two year groups in 3 classes of mixed ages... I'm not sure how this will work, or if it will at all. Any ideas??? Clare x