Scotstoun Primary SchoolScotstoun Primary SchoolA Guide for Parents on Classification A Guide for Parents on Classification

and Composite Classesand Composite Classes

2015 - 20162015 - 2016

What are composite classes?What are composite classes?

Primary schools have pupils at seven Primary schools have pupils at seven year stages; Primary 1 to Primary 7.year stages; Primary 1 to Primary 7.

A year stage is defined as a group of A year stage is defined as a group of pupils entering primary education at a pupils entering primary education at a common date.common date.

Composite classes are those where Composite classes are those where children of more than one year stage are children of more than one year stage are grouped together to form a class.grouped together to form a class.

The maximum number of pupils in any The maximum number of pupils in any composite class is 25.composite class is 25.

Why do composite classes have to be Why do composite classes have to be formed?formed?

Schools are staffed according to staffing Schools are staffed according to staffing formulas set by the Local Authority.formulas set by the Local Authority.

The formula is based on the total number of The formula is based on the total number of pupils in the school.pupils in the school.

This varies every year.This varies every year. Next session Scotstoun is entitled to a Next session Scotstoun is entitled to a

teaching staff role of 20.3 teachers (including teaching staff role of 20.3 teachers (including the HT).the HT).

The HT has to make management decisions The HT has to make management decisions to make best use of staff.to make best use of staff.

The Scotstoun CalculationsThe Scotstoun Calculations

We will have 21 teachers (inc. HT and DHTs, We will have 21 teachers (inc. HT and DHTs, probationers and part timers)probationers and part timers)

We have 7 year stages in the schoolWe have 7 year stages in the school McCrone Agreement means McCrone Agreement means everyevery teacher teacher

has to have 2.5 hrs NCCT each weekhas to have 2.5 hrs NCCT each week HT and SMT have to lead and manage the HT and SMT have to lead and manage the

schoolschool DHTs will also provide NCCT cover, teach DHTs will also provide NCCT cover, teach

and lead development prioritiesand lead development priorities We will have 15 classes next sessionWe will have 15 classes next session

The Scotstoun CalculationsThe Scotstoun Calculations

15 classes = 15 full time equivalent teachers15 classes = 15 full time equivalent teachers NCCT = 2.0 (fte) teachersNCCT = 2.0 (fte) teachers DHT minimum management time = 0.4 (fte)DHT minimum management time = 0.4 (fte) Probationer teachers cover = 0.4fteProbationer teachers cover = 0.4fte HT, DHTs = 3.0 fteHT, DHTs = 3.0 fte Totalling a min of 20.8 fte neededTotalling a min of 20.8 fte needed We will have 15 class teachers, 3.5 teachers We will have 15 class teachers, 3.5 teachers

covering and supporting learning, 2 DHTs covering and supporting learning, 2 DHTs and the HT.and the HT.

The Scotstoun CalculationsThe Scotstoun Calculations

Class size regulations currently are:Class size regulations currently are: P1 – class size maximum is 25P1 – class size maximum is 25 P2 - P3 class size maximum is 30P2 - P3 class size maximum is 30 P4 -P7 class size maximum is 33P4 -P7 class size maximum is 33 Composite classes are capped at 25Composite classes are capped at 25

The Scotstoun CalculationsThe Scotstoun Calculations

Here are the Year Stage numbers for next year:Here are the Year Stage numbers for next year: P1: 60P1: 60 P2: 75P2: 75 P3: 60P3: 60 P4: 58P4: 58 P5: 62P5: 62 P6: 62P6: 62 P7: 64P7: 64This includes children moving away/out that This includes children moving away/out that

we are aware of.we are aware of.

The Scotstoun CalculationsThe Scotstoun Calculations

Here are the draft class calculations for Here are the draft class calculations for next year:next year:

P1a 25P1a 25 P1b 25P1b 25 P2/1 15/10P2/1 15/10 P2a 30P2a 30 P2b 30P2b 30

The Scotstoun CalculationsThe Scotstoun Calculations P3a 30P3a 30 P3b 30P3b 30 P4a 29P4a 29 P4b 29P4b 29 P5a 31P5a 31 P5b 31P5b 31 P6a 30P6a 30 P6b 32P6b 32 P7a 32P7a 32 P7b 32P7b 32

How are the members of classes decided?How are the members of classes decided?

A number of factors are taken into A number of factors are taken into consideration:consideration:

Pupil and parent views Pupil and parent views Curriculum for Excellence levelsCurriculum for Excellence levels Social Groupings and FriendshipsSocial Groupings and Friendships Pupil’s individual needsPupil’s individual needsi.e. the most efficient use of teaching i.e. the most efficient use of teaching

resources to ensure pace and resources to ensure pace and challenge for each pupil’s learningchallenge for each pupil’s learning

Learning Groups at ScotstounLearning Groups at Scotstoun

Most pupils in P1 are working at Early LevelMost pupils in P1 are working at Early Level Most pupils in P2 through to P4 and beyond Most pupils in P2 through to P4 and beyond

are working at First Levelare working at First Level Most pupils in P4 to P7 are working at Most pupils in P4 to P7 are working at

Second Level and beyondSecond Level and beyond All classes run with differentiated learning All classes run with differentiated learning

groups and in some stages we run learning groups and in some stages we run learning sets for maths and language, across the sets for maths and language, across the classes.classes.

Common misconceptionsCommon misconceptions

Two classes are squeezed in to one.Two classes are squeezed in to one. Older pupils are held ‘back a year’.Older pupils are held ‘back a year’. Younger pupils ‘fall behind’.Younger pupils ‘fall behind’. Aspects of the curriculum are repeated.Aspects of the curriculum are repeated. Pupils don’t make as good progress as they Pupils don’t make as good progress as they

would in a single stage class.would in a single stage class. Children lose their identity and sense of Children lose their identity and sense of

belonging in their ‘class’.belonging in their ‘class’.

SummarySummary

Each child will proceed through learning Each child will proceed through learning experiences and outcomes tailored to fit their experiences and outcomes tailored to fit their personal level of attainment.personal level of attainment.

All pupils will follow programmes of work All pupils will follow programmes of work designed to help them progress at their own designed to help them progress at their own level.level.

This applies regardless of whether or not This applies regardless of whether or not they are in a composite or single year stage they are in a composite or single year stage class.class.