Composite Classes Buckstone Primary

17th June 2014

Lifelong Learner Social Being

A sense of self worth

Responsible

Resilient

Reflective

Respectful

Buckstone Values

Resourceful

Curriculum for Excellence

A broad general education – the responsibility of all.

The 4 capacities – Confident individuals Successful learners Effective contributors Responsible citizens

Classroom OrganisationClass Teacher Allocation

Nursery Mrs Munro

P1G Miss Garven

P1T Mrs Tweedie

P2G Miss Leach and Mrs Graham

P2C Mrs Cross and Ms Hastie (formerly known as Mrs Wilson)

P3F Mrs McFarlane (new member of staff)

P3M Miss McDade (new member of staff)

P3/4D Miss Davidson

P4B Mrs Blackadder

P4/5H Mr Hyde

P5F Ms Fair

P5G Mrs Gordon

P6B Miss Bailey (new member of staff)

P6W Mrs Williamson

P7H Mrs Henry

P7K Miss Kirkmali (new member of staff)

Composition of P3/4 and P4/5

We have two composite classes for next session.  Their composition will be a P3/4 class with 12 x P3 and 11 x P4 children and a P4/5 class with 11 x P4 and 12 x P5 children. 

NB These numbers may go up to 25

The National Picture?

27% of children in Scottish schools are educated in composite classes

Composite classes have no positive or negative influence on academic achievement

Class size, composite or otherwise, has no positive or negative influence on academic achievement

Edinburgh Council Policy

Key points - maximum size 25

- main criterion age

- no less than 5 of one age group

- no less than 2 of one gender

“ As with all classes the key requirement is for teachers to meet the needs of individuals within a generally approved curricular framework”

What this means for my child in Buckstone-

• All classes are ‘composite’ - with a wide range of abilities, learning styles and personalities

• ‘Date of manufacture’ doesn’t mean all children are at the same stage at the same time.

• Whatever the composition of a class it is the responsibility of the teacher to make sure every child is making good progress

Practicalities

Curricular continuum Progression pathways Experiences and outcomes What topics will my child cover?

Interdisciplinary Learning – an example

The Titanic Identified Experiences and Outcomes

across all curricular areas Skills across the levels Not content dependent Pupil ownership of learning Key skills for assessment identified to

track pupil progression

Key significant factor?

The quality of the teacher!