Kingsdale parents - streaming question

[Norfolkvillas]

Hi EDF, our eldest is starting at Kingsdale in September. Can anyone shed any light on how they stream the kids into ability sets for subjects? Are there tests in the first few weeks, or is it connected to the banding test which was part of the application process? Or is it based on SATS (or year 6 teacher assessments, as no SATs this year)? Thanks!

[BellendenBear]

This year?s year 7 haven?t been streamed. I don?t know whether this was linked to Covid and keeping them in tutor group bubbles or whether this is what always happens.

[MelbourneMama]

The non streaming is linked to Covid. My son started in Yr 7 in Set 2019 so he did pretty much 2 terms in the normal way of things.. streamed for the more obvious subjects like Maths and Science but not for things like Music and Art.

When they went back in Yr 8 last Septmeber they were grouped loosely based on ability.. so able kids together, less able together and a number of groups in between. Obviously not an exact science though since being good at English doesnt mean you're good at Maths etc.

The most difficult thing for them is being stuck in 1 classroom again for most of the time, like being back at primary school. It's so far removed from the normal secondary school experience and felt like a huge step backwards for my son.

It's been far from ideal, but the school have done the best they can in impossibly trying circumstances.

Hopefully September will see things revert back to how secondary school should be.

But watching the news I really doubt it...