Research commissioned by the National Education Union into grouping in nursery classes and Key Stage 1 finds that teachers see grouping as ‘a necessary evil’ when preparing children for tests such as the phonics screening check, which children take in Year 1, and Key Stage 1 SATs.
This is despite teachers’ concerns about the negative impact of grouping on children’s self-esteem, widening gaps in attainment between different groups of children, and causing or exacerbating other issues, such as the under-achievement of summer-born children.
In the foreword to the report,'Grouping in early years and Key Stage 1: A necessary evil?' Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU, said, 'This Government intends to introduce Reception Baseline Assessment, a policy which will inevitably lead to the ability labelling of young children. As this report highlights, ability groups can have a damaging effect on children, with low ability labels becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy and achievement gaps widening between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.'
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