Composite Classes Information 2024-25
How are classes organised in a school?
Primary schools have pupils at seven broad year stages (P1 – P7). A year stage is a group of pupils entering primary education at a common date.
What is a composite class?
Pupils are organised within single year classes, e.g. Primary 3 or in composite classes, e.g. Primary 3/4 which contain more than one year group. The school makes every effort to involve pupils in 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, the school ensures that the natural identify of each primary class group is maintained.
How many teachers will there be?
Schools are staffed to agreed standards based on the total number of pupils within the school regardless of the number of pupils at each year stage. This means that Head Teachers need to organise classes to make best use of staff available, resources and space. Balancing up the various factors involves both educational and organisational considerations. The Head Teacher is responsible for structuring classes on the basis of advice/direction given by the council.
What is the maximum number of pupils in a class?
Renfrewshire Council’s normal maximum number of pupils in a single year class is 25 for P1 and P2, 30 for P3 and 33 for P4 – 7. The maximum number of pupils in a composite class is 25. In all classes, pupils working at broadly the same level/pace in literacy/numeracy are grouped together as a ‘working group’. This arrangement uses teaching resources most effectively and supports progression for pupils.
How are pupils selected to be in a composite class?
Where a composite class is being formed, specific criteria have been provided by the council. In forming new classes, full account must be taken of existing successful groupings of pupils. Schools should use literacy and numeracy groupings as a basis for allocating children to classes. There may also be occasions where schools will consider the best mix of pupils to support positive class dynamics. Where a single year class and a composite class are being formed at the same stages, the Head Teacher, class teacher (and where appropriate Pre-5 colleagues) will make use of their professional judgement and all available information, including friendships groups or wider needs of pupils, where appropriate to form the two classes.
Will my child be working at the appropriate level within a composite class?
The national guidelines on the curriculum indicate that pupils should progress through learning experiences tailored to fit their individual level of attainment. This means that pupils in all classes will engage in work appropriate to their own level and will be supported and challenged to make progress. Please be confident that the professionalism of the staff in Fordbank Primary will ensure that your child will always work within a programme appropriate to his/her age, ability, strengths and support needs. At both school and local authority level quality assurance procedures exist to ensure that your child is making good progress within the nationally agreed curriculum guidelines. Curriculum for Excellence is about the totality of experiences which are planned for young people through their education. This means that children in all classes will move through experiences and outcomes to help them progress at their own level. This applies to all pupils regardless of whether they are in a composite or single stage class.
