Primary schools within Scotland educate children within the age range of 4 to 12 years of age. Within Scottish primary schools children are organised into seven stages, Primary 1 to Primary 7.
A year stage is defined as a group of pupils entering primary education at a common date. Since the number of pupils at any stage can vary, there are times when composite classes have to be formed.
In single stage classes the maximum numbers of pupils are as follows:
Primary 1 and 2 25 children
Primary 3 30 children
Primary 4 to 7 33 children
Composite classes 25 children
Composite classes are those where children of two or more year stages 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 within the school regardless of the numbers of pupils at each year stage. 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.
The Head Teacher will structure classes based on advice given by North Lanarkshire Learning and Leisure Services.
In North Lanarkshire, 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 will make for the most efficient use of teaching resources.
Should you have any further questions about the formation of composite classes or how these circumstances may affect your child’s learning experience, then please do not hesitate to contact the school and speak to a member for the management team.
