Re: Jumping Grades
I don't think it matters if a higher able pupil is in the class according to their age, same goes for lower able pupils...should they be put a year behind as they are not average?
A good teacher will be able to differentiate according to the child. I find that my higher able pupils (known as 'gifted and talented' in the U.K) are able to help the less able pupils, if a child can teach another child, it shows great levels of understanding and consolidates their own learning.
I have a complete mixture of children in my class, I have learnt how to differentiate effectively. I know which child will be able to answer what question, but I also give the middle able and lower able pupils the chance to answer the same question, just like I ask my higher ables to help the lowers by having mixed ability talk partners.