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Tudor CEVC Primary School

Tudor CEVC Primary School. Parents’ Forum – March 2014 How do we best organise the children into classes in the academic year 2014/15?. Considerations. We have a Pupil Admission Number (PAN) of 45 This means that there will have to be at least some mixed age classes

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Tudor CEVC Primary School

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  1. Tudor CEVC Primary School Parents’ Forum – March 2014 How do we best organise the children into classes in the academic year 2014/15?

  2. Considerations • We have a Pupil Admission Number (PAN) of 45 • This means that there will have to be at least some mixed age classes • Currently there are no year groups with 45 children in thembut theoretically there could be • Many schools teach mixed age classes as successfully as single age classes • Theoretically Year 2 and Year 6 are doing different curriculums than the rest of the school next year • Ideally whatever we establish should be sustainable • EYFS would remain as one single unit

  3. Options • Option 1 – we stay as we are • Option 2 – we organise the classes into age groups • Option 3 – we organise the classes into ability groups • Option 4 – we develop an intervention group

  4. Option 1 – we stay as we are This means: • Two Foundation classes • Three mixed classes in Key Stage 1 • Three mixed classes in Lower Key Stage 2 • Three mixed ages classes in Upper Key Stage 2 (currently, we have separate Year 5 and 6 classes and a mixed group in the middle in Upper Key Stage 2 but they are smaller year groups)

  5. Advantages • It’s the most equitable system • It allows teachers to plan together • Children will be more able to select a friend or two to be in the class with them

  6. Disadvantages • There can be a danger of pitching to the middle – not enough challenge for the most able; not enough scaffolding for those that need support – this can be especially true in maths • A wide age range and wider levels of maturity • Different curriculums with different expectations in Years 1 and 2 and Years 5 and 6.

  7. Option 2 – we organise the classes in age groups This would mean fewer mixed age classes. Across two year groups, the classes would be organised by age. The oldest would make a one single age class; as would the youngest. There would then be a much smaller mixed age class in the middle. These children whilst in different years would only be about six months different in age.

  8. Advantages • There would be fewer mixed age classes with therefore a narrower achievement and attainment group in each • The curriculum could be more tailored • The smaller group in the middle, whilst mixed age, would get more individual support from being in a small group • This is what the majority of mixed age PAN schools do • Children would only be in mixed age class for one year at a time

  9. Disadvantages • The mix of children might need to be carefully considered • There would be greatly reduced , if any, scope for children to choose their friends to be with • Could be considered less fair • Transition from EYFS into Key Stage 1 for some of our youngest children could be challenging

  10. Option 3 – we organise the children into ability groups In this option, we would see the three parts of the school (Key Stage 1/Lower Key Stage 2/Upper Key Stage 2) organised in to three streams or sets according to the children’s abilities. The more able the group the larger the group would be.

  11. Advantages • Theoretically a much narrower ability range in classes • Work could be more directly targeted • Support could be intensified in the groups where it is most needed

  12. Disadvantages • Less flexibility for movement between classes • It would be difficult to organise children who were, for example, excellent at maths and needed support in Literacy • These groups may not include friendships • The most able also need support • Three classes doesn’t really narrower the ability range that much • Self-esteem issues

  13. Option 4 – we develop an intervention group This model currently runs in Upper Key Stage 2. There are two single age classes of Year 5 and 6 and a small group of 16 in the middle who need a greater level of personal intervention.

  14. Advantages • More single age classes • Easier curricular teaching • Evidence shows that the model is beginning to work in our upper Key Stage 2 classes

  15. Disadvantages • Flexibility of movement between groups could be hampered • Danger of creating a “sink” group where expectations are too low • Damaging to self-esteem • Permanence of these groups

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