Hello!

I am wondering if there are any parents who have had their kids put in a split class at school and still done ok. My daughter will be in year one next year and has the possibility of being put in split year 1 and 2 class. I am not sure I like this idea for her first real first year of school and have an appointment to meet with the teacher to discuss this and find out her thoughts on whether she is likely to put forward a request for my daughter to go into the split class. I would love to hear other mums thoughts on this and how your kids did with school and coped with the combined class.


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  • Every child is very different. This situation depends on your child. There is a massive difference in kids in year 1. Some are tiny, barely able to read, shy. Some will turning 6 still others turned 7 half way through the year. If you don’t want your child in the split level ask them to change it and put a better suited child into the year 1/2 split instead.


  • I was in a split class in year 3 and it was a 3/4 composite class. I actually felt that it helped with furthering my education that others my age. We did a lot of learning together and I was learning more to my age/abilities. I honestly think it’s a great idea.


  • This is actually called a composite class at my school (a split class is when a teacher is absent and the class is split acorss several others). I was not happy when my kids were first put in one, as I’d had a bad experience myself. But they all seem to have coped okay.


  • My children were often in a composite class during primary school and they did well. Socially it was positive as the boys got to know the older students and academically it made no difference that I noticed.


  • My grandsons started at a new school this year and both are in split classes. I was a little concerned at first but they seem to be doing well and from what I hear it is the way many schools do this nowadays.


  • My daughter has been in a split kindergarten class for the past 2 years (with 3, 4 and 5 year olds all together) Sometimes it’s good so the older kids can take the younger ones under their wing but sometimes if the split isn’t even, one age group may benefit from more appropriate class lessons while others lag behind if the learning is too advanced or not advanced enough for them.
    I personally think in the younger years of primary school that the kids would benefit from only having their class grade. I imagine it would be harder for teachers to manage two curriculums as well.


  • Yes….two of My children were in split level classes. The eldest was very advanced for her age and was in a Grade 123 class and it was awesome as she was grade 1 but could read with the grade 3’s.
    The other had learning issues but even though she was held back a year she never knew and was still with her age group.


  • Yes, Two of my kids have been in split classes and honestly it was fine. I was a bit worried at first but in reality it wasn’t an issue. The kids are split into different groups for maths /English( spelling mastery) anyway, depending on what level they are at so basically the teacher is teaching to their level whatever class they’re in.


  • All three of my children have been in these classes and they loved it. They could work independently and also help the younger classmates as well. I think the selection of children in these classes are from teachers recommendations. My first born started in Kindy/One mixing with children who had been in school all the year before and she loved it. These children showed the kids how school works. In the play ground they all mixed in together playing games. Do not feel as though there are any disadvantage’s it’s got more positives than you will ever know. My children’s school had two teachers teaching these classes for at least three days of the week. One teacher was teaching the children French and the other was teaching the children Indonesian. My kids can still remember these simple lessons of French and Indonesian numbers and colours.


  • Yes my eldest 2 kids have been in a split class more than once and they loved it ! I think we see now a days more adjustment being made anyway for students at different academic levels, which is great.
    Most of the time the staff looks carefully at which students will be placed in such a class. When your daughter is considered an option for this class, they most likely consider her capable to cope with this


  • I used to be in a split class myself and I thought it was advantageous. You get to learn more


  • Hi there, my kids go to a school with split classes and honestly it is really good, if the child is more advanced they get to do work that is to their level and if they are struggling they can catch up in the other classes and the teachers are great at keeping it discreet and nobody notices and there is no bullying because a child is a bit behind because nobody notices


  • i have my daughter be in split class and she loved, it is for kids that can handle it as they do some year 2 work if they are in year 1 that the kids can understand. my daughter all talks about it now and she 19 and finished school.


  • Yes my youngest daughter was put in a Year 1 /2 class it didnt do her any favours as she didnt really learn that much and always had to catch up it really depends on the child if the child is smart gifted then yes its good othewise NO


  • My child was in a split class and she did fine. This had alot to do with her teacher also. Some kids flourish, whilst other may not. If your child gets put in the class and you feel it’s not working or isn’t for them, you can request to move into a straight yr 1 class.


  • I work in a school, if your daughters being considered for a split class, then she’s currently working at a higher level than her classmates and the teacher believes that she would benefit from access to harder work, so she doesn’t get bored. This is a good thing :)


  • So I’m yet to have kids in primary school but I was in split classes for grades 1-2 (as a year 2) and 5-6 (as a year 5) and while it might depend on the teacher I feel it wasn’t great for me. I feel my y5 teacher didn’t put in as much effort to focus on our learning as much as my friends in non split classes did. But it’s unknown if this was an issue with the teacher or the class concept.


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