Composite Classes: FAQ
What is a composite class?
A composite class is one which is made up of two or more different year groups e.g. children from P2 and P1.
Why do schools need to form composite classes?
Staff are allocated to schools based on the total number of children in the school, not the number at each individual year group. This means that where there are significant differences in the numbers at any one or more year group, a school may have to re-structure classes by creating classes comprising more than one year group of children. Composite classes are common in schools across Scotland, and routine in rural communities or where a school roll is small.
How big is a composite class?
The maximum size of a composite class is 25.
The maximum size of classes in P1 is 25, P2 and P3 is 30, and the maximum for classes in P4 to P7 is 33.
Does this mean that all the children in a composite class work at the same level?
No. As with every class, children in a composite class continue to be taught in accordance with their individual abilities and needs.
Are the more able of the younger children and the less able of the older children selected for the composite class?
No. Working groups from the two different year groups are selected in a way that ensures the children are very obviously working at different levels.
Can a teacher cope with teaching children from two different year groups in the one class?
Yes. Primary teachers are trained to plan, deliver and assess learning for several different ability groups within the one class. Whether these differing abilities are within one year group or across more than one year group, the process is the same and well within the skill of a trained primary teacher.
Isn’t it difficult for children from two different year groups to get along?
No. Even in a single stage class, there can be an age difference of a year or more. Regardless of age, children’s social and emotional maturity can vary very significantly. Even before they come to school, children are generally used to, and enjoy, mixing with, and playing with children of different ages.
Will the school check that my child is coping in his/her new class?
Yes. Class teachers and line managers routinely work together to keep track of all children’s progress – academically, socially and emotionally – regardless of whether they are in a new class or not. This is a key part of our work, as we want every child to progress in accordance with his/her ability.
Will the children in a composite class continue to take part in activities organized for their year group?
Yes. Whether or not children are in a single stage or composite class, they continue to take part in activities organized for their year group. This will be organized in accordance with the nature of the activity.
When the school restructures single stage classes are all the children of the same ability put in one class?
No. Every class is organized to provide a mixture of abilities, gender and culture. We do not ‘stream’ classes, that is, we do not create single ability classes.
What will happen next year?
That is impossible to tell at this stage.
Each year, schools must review their class structures in accordance with the numbers at each stage. Whether further restructuring is required or not will be dictated by the number of children at each stage, against the maximum class size permitted for each stage.
Schools only engage in a re-structuring exercise where it is necessary.
GCC
Education Services
A Guide for Parents
on Composite
Classes
Your child in a composite class
Some children are never part of a composite class whilst others, particularly in rural schools, never experience anything else. You should be confident that the professionalism of the staff in your school will ensure that your child will always work within a programme appropriate for his/her age, ability and aptitude. At both school and education authority level assessment procedures exist to ensure that your child is making good progress within the nationally agreed curriculum guidelines.
The national guidelines on the curriculum indicate that pupils should proceed through learning experiences tailored to fit their personal level of attainment. This means that pupils in all classes will follow programmes designed to help them progress at their own level. This applies to all pupils regardless of whether or not they are in a composite or single year stage class.
In addition the school will make every effort to involve pupils of any one year group in activities which bring the whole year group together. In this way pupils will be able to continue to identify with children of the same age especially at important times such as transfer to secondary school. At the same time day to day activities ensure that the natural identity of each primary class group is maintained.
What is a composite class?
Primary schools have pupils at seven broad 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.
Why are composite classes formed?
Schools are staffed to agreed standards based on the total number of pupils, however the numbers of pupils at each year stage will vary. This means that head teachers are required to take management decisions to organise classes to make best use of available staff, resources and space. Balancing up the various factors involves both educational and organisational considerations.
How are composite classes formed?
According to the teachers’ contract the maximum number of pupils in any composite class is 25.
The head teacher will structure classes based on advice given by the education authority.
In Glasgow composite classes are normally formed on the basis of language and/or mathematics working groups. This means that pupils working at broadly the same pace and level in language and/or mathematics are grouped together. Such an arrangement is made for the most efficient use of teaching resources and to cause least upset to pupils.
When will a composite class be formed?
Normally such classes will be formed before the start of a new school session so that all involved know what class structures exist for the new school session.
In certain circumstances class restructuring may have to take place during the summer break or after the session has started. However such occurrences will be very exceptional.
Consultation with Parents
Parents will be kept informed of annual class review arrangements.
If you are concerned about decisions being made, your child’s head teacher will be happy to meet with you to answer questions regarding class information and how it might affect your child. You may like to consider asking:-
why classes have been formed;
about your child’s progress;
about the sort of work programme your child will follow.
More Information
If your require any more information about class structures in your child’s school or about composite classes generally please contact the person named in the box below.
Head Teacher Theresa Wright
School Shawlands Primary
School Address 1284 Pollokshaws Road
GLASGOW
G41 3QP
School Phone Number 0141-632 1840
Education Services
Glasgow City Council
Wheatley House
25 Cochrane Street
Merchant City
GLASGOW
G1 1HL
