Gorse Covert Logo

GORSE COVERT PRIMARY SCHOOL

Gorse Covert Road, Birchwood, Warrington, WA3 6TS Tel: 01925 825070, Fax: 01925 838879 Headteacher: Mrs. C Cooke Mixed Aged Classes

Dear Parents

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the reasons for mixed aged classes here at Gorse Covert and the criteria we consider when organising children into new classes.

The Local Authority limits our intake to 45 children and there is a legal requirement to ensure infant class sizes are no more than 30. Due to our intake of 45 we have to have some mixed age classes as we only receive funding for 1 teacher per 30 children. We are extremely fortunate here at Gorse Covert to be able to fund an additional teacher in Reception class, Year 5 and Year 6 to minimise the number of mixed age classes. Unfortunately it is not possible to sustain this funding commitment throughout the school which means we have mixed age classes in Y1/2 and in Y3/4.

Ability To a certain extent, the academic ability of children is taken into account. However, it does not follow that the most able or least able of any particular class goes into the mixed age class. There are several other factors that are taken into account, which have a huge bearing on the overall mix. These are outlined below.

Friendship Groups Fundamentally, we want children to be happy in school. If they are not happy, then regardless of ability, they are less likely to do as well in school. Towards the end of the academic year, teachers ask all children to list friends they enjoy working with. These friendship groups are always taken into account. Whilst we may not be able to put a child with all their closest friends, we aim to keep them with at least one or two of their main friends. If there are two children who are particularly close friends, we would never separate them based purely on ability.

Confidence Particularly in the Y1/2 mixed class, confidence is a huge factor in making that decision. We understand that our youngest children may at first feel a little overwhelmed by being in a class with older children. Children who we feel will best cope in this situation are often put in the mixed class, regardless of ability.

Gender mix We aim to have an equal balance of boys and girls in any one class.

Ensuring continuity and best support The teachers in mixed age classes plan activities with the teachers in other year groups to ensure all children have the same access to the curriculum, and where possible school trips are taken together as a whole department or year group. Classes in the same department also regularly get together for activities. Playtimes are taken at the same time to allow friends in other classes to play together.

I would like to reassure you that the teachers in mixed age classes, as with any other class, are very skilled in ensuring your child’s needs are met, regardless of what year group they are in. Teachers do not follow one year group’s curriculum, and will always aim to stretch high attaining pupils and support those who require extra help. Due to the increased spread of needs in a mixed age class, there is a Teaching Assistant in those classes to aid the teaching and provide support for children where necessary.

Having taught in a mixed age class myself, I can promise you that after some initial anxiety for some, it has proved to be a positive experience. In fact, by the end of the year, they have a whole set of new friends!

I’m sure you can appreciate that a lot of thought goes into making these decisions. We pride ourselves on knowing your child very well and aim to make the best possible decision regarding which class would be most beneficial to them. Going into any new class creates a mixture of excitement and anxiety, but within a few weeks, children settle extremely well.

I hope this information has been both useful and reassuring. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

C Cooke Headteacher