Children’s views on ability groups: breaks your heart

When pupils going into Year 6 were asked what they thought about ability tables, their responses related to the level of interesting work they were given:

The ‘more able’ enjoyed being the bright ones and having special challenges set by the teacher.

The middle group were annoyed that they didn’t get the same work and challenges the top group had, but they had realised that there were only six seats on the top table.

The ‘less able’ were affected the most.

They felt dumb, useless, they thought they would never be allowed challenges as they usually worked with a teaching assistant.

They liked the sound of some of the challenges the top group had, but they knew they would never get the chance.

What is happening here, is that interesting, demanding work is being rationed.

These assumptions are based on flawed notions of what children are capable of.

All our pupils deserve access to a rich, beautiful curriculum and I show what’s possible in my new webinars for geography, history and religious education.

Access with an annual or group subscription.

Until next time

Mary