Year 7 booster lessons

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katel
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Post by katel »

I woudn't let a year 7 stay behind after school for an extra hour's work. If the child isn't either actually resisting education or has been intensively coached to a level well above their natural ability to get into the school in the first place then it's the school's problem if the isn't at the level they think he ought to be. School days are long enough - he's only 11. He'll get there.
wonderwoman
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Post by wonderwoman »

It is interesting to read all these different points of views, all of which are valid. It just shows what is right for one family is not for another.

I would talk to the teacher - my original answer was based on the fact that science is compulsory. So if it was history, or geography or french I wouldn't let my child go for extra tuition but for science I would want them caught up as soon as possible, I'd be the same for maths or English. 50 mins a week doesn't seem too excessive to me and I'd rather it was after school than missing another subject they enjoyed and in Y7 I wouldn't want my DC missing lunch time - too important for socialising.
Rob Clark
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Post by Rob Clark »

sally, interesting that you say ‘for science’ – does your DS not get separate marks/grades for physics, chemistry and biology? I’m assuming he takes them all separately…?

If not, is it possible that he might be having particular trouble with one of them? With junior school science being largely taught as a generic subject, it’s only in Y7 that they really start to differentiate between them, and there’s no reason a DC who is good at one will necessarily be good at another. Just a thought.
Amber
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Post by Amber »

Science is usually taught as one subject until year 9 or even 10. I think it would be unusual for it to be separated into 3 in Year 7.

Another point reading back over these posts - someone said that if the child was at level 5 in year 6 there would have been little progress. As I have said on another thread, the level 5s supposedly reached in primary school are not the same as those attained in secondary level (KS2 vs KS3). Parents should not compare and assume no progress has been made if their DC 'sticks' at level 5 in year 7.

I agree with Katel - the child is 11, there is no need to panic and there will be no serious consequences to missing these sessions. Strikes me as an over-zealous and rather pressurised situation.
Chelmsford mum
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Post by Chelmsford mum »

I agree, as I said earlier that it is early days and no need to worry at all.

Just a further point re science.All the Essex grammars and the Surrey ones I know teach all three sciences separately from year 7.
Therefore it is very possible as someone suggested, that it may only be one area bringing the subject results down.My Dds grades at this point in year 7 span a whole level in Science (3 sub levels) with Biology her "weakest" atm.I fully expect this to change and next year she might have a wobble in Chemistry.
If this is how the Op's school handles matters then she can't ignore it but I am sure will be greatly reassured when she gets the chance to chat to his teacher.
Rob Clark
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Post by Rob Clark »

Science is usually taught as one subject until year 9 or even 10. I think it would be unusual for it to be separated into 3 in Year 7
I don’t think that’s the case where we live, Amber (not sure where the OP is). I’m pretty sure DS did them as 3 separate subjects from the word go, though he did have the same teacher for physics and chemistry in Y7. It was just an idea…

I’m definitely with those who say it’s too early to panic, though.
Amber
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Post by Amber »

OK, I know where we are it is taught as one and also 2 neighbouring counties. I concede regional variations! Certainly the all round science text books at years 7 and 8 are usually loosely divided into B, C and P sections so I guess some areas might go the whole hog and do it in separate lessons.

I still wouldn't want my child in a booster club at year 7 though.
Chelmsford mum
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Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:16 pm

Post by Chelmsford mum »

Amber wrote:OK, I know where we are it is taught as one and also 2 neighbouring counties. I concede regional variations! Certainly the all round science text books at years 7 and 8 are usually loosely divided into B, C and P sections so I guess some areas might go the whole hog and do it in separate lessons.

I still wouldn't want my child in a booster club at year 7 though.
They even have entirely separate textbooks for each that are subject specific from year 7 .I know as I had to replace one recently that daydreamy daughter left on a bus. :evil:

I don't know if it is a good or bad thing doing them separately.All three sciences are compulsory at GCSE in their school and no option for double science.Perhaps that is why they split them into three at year 7 ...don't know really.
Amber
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Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:59 am

Post by Amber »

Interesting. There has been much debate on this forum about the relative merits of 3 sciences versus 2. My daughter also does all 3 now - started that in Year 9 - and will do until GCSE. Because of the nature of my job, I have taught science to quite a few year 8s and 9s and they have all done science as one subject, though of course there are distinct physics, chemistry and biology topics within that. I thought that it was unusual for them to be taught separately from Year 7, but obviously I was wrong. Sorry. :oops:
Chelmsford mum
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Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:16 pm

Post by Chelmsford mum »

Don't be sorry Amber :D It is always nice to have a fresh perspective on things and so much does vary by area.
I am not sure about the separate science approach.My middle DD would probably have preferred double science as she is more of a Humanities girl.However the general benefits of the school outweigh this factor for her.
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