Scotstoun Primary School

1. Scotstoun Primary School A Guide for Parents on Composite Classes

2. What are composite classes? • Primary schools have pupils at seven year stages; Primary 1 to Primary 7. • A year stage is defined as a group of pupils entering primary education at a common date. • Composite classes are those where children of more than one year stage are grouped together to form a class. • The maximum number of pupils in any composite class is 25.

3. Why do composite classes have to be formed? • Schools are staffed according to staffing formulas set by the Local Authority. • The formula is based on the total number of pupils in the school. • This varies every year. • Next session Scotstoun is entitled to a teaching staff role of 18.9 teachers (including the HT). • The HT has to make management decisions to make best use of staff.

4. The Scotstoun Calculations • We will have 18.9 teachers (inc. HT and DHTs) • We have 7 year stages in the school • McCrone Agreement means each teacher has to have 2.5 hrs NCCT each week • HT and SMT have to lead and manage the school • DHTs will also provide NCCT cover, teach and lead development priorities • We will have 15 classes next session

5. The Scotstoun Calculations • 15 classes = 15 full time equivalent teachers • NCCT cover = 1.7 (fte) teachers • DHT minimum management time = 0.4 (fte) • HT = 1.0 fte • Totalling 18.1 fte • 16 classes would need 19.2 fte and leaves nobody out of class to lead, manage, develop or support learning and teaching across the school.

6. The Scotstoun Calculations Class size regulations currently are: • P1 - P3 class size maximum is 30 • P4 -P7 class size maximum is 33 • Composite classes are capped at 25 So why have a P2/1 class next year?

7. The Scotstoun Calculations Here are the Year Stage numbers for next year: • P1: 71 • P2: 62 • P3: 51 • P4: 48 • P5: 50 • P6: 54 • P7: 49

8. The Scotstoun Calculations Here are the class calculations for next year: • P1a 29 • P1b 29 • P2/1 24 (12/12) • P2a 25 • P2b 25

9. The Scotstoun Calculations • P3a 25 • P3b 26 • P4a 24 • P4b 24 • P5a 26 • P5b 24 • P6a 26 • P6b 28 • P7a 25 • P7b 24

10. How have the members of composite classes been decided? A number of factors have been taken into consideration: • Language groupings ( similar pace and level) • Maths groups ( similar pace and level) • Social Groupings • Pupil’s individual needs i.e. the most efficient use of teaching resources and to ensure pace and challenge for the pupils learning

11. Learning Groups at Scotstoun • Currently P1 are not set across the stage for maths and language, they are set within classes • In P2 the children will be set across the stage for language and will be in class sets for maths • In P3 the children will be set across the stage for maths and language • The individuals currently in 3 classes, working at same level for both maths and language, will form a set in P2/1

12. Common misconceptions • Two classes are squeezed in to one. • Older pupils are held ‘back a year’. • Younger pupils ‘fall behind’. • Aspects of the curriculum are repeated. • Pupils don’t make as good progress as they would in a single stage class. • Children lose their identity and sense of belonging in their ‘class’.

13. Summary • Each child will proceed through learning experiences tailored to fit their personal level of attainment. • All pupils will follow programmes of work designed to help them progress at their own level. • This applies regardless of whether or not they are in a composite or single year stage class.