Pentyrch Primary School

1. Pentyrch Primary School Changes to Staff and Class Organisation September 2009

2. Reasons for the Changes • The number of pupils on roll has steadily reduced in recent years due to demographic trends • Over 70% of our funding is dependent on the number of pupils on roll • Almost 90% of our expenditure is on staffing costs • The LEA advise that schools should not exceed this figure • The governing body has to submit a balanced budget • This would not have been possible, even though we had invested £10,000 in 2008-09 and had a carry forward of £18,000

3. Reasons for the Changes • The necessary savings could not be achieved through reductions in support staff or reducing expenditure (we received support and advice from LFMS and HR) • As there will be a further small reduction in numbers in September, the difficult decision had to be taken to reduce the number of class teachers • This has been achieved through the voluntary early retirement of Mr. Jones and Ms. Williams

4. Impact of the Changes • We have been able to submit a balanced budget and there will be stability for the next two or three years • It will be necessary to have mixed-age classes, rather than straight year groups • There will be a need for careful planning to ensure coverage of the curriculum and avoid repetition (I will go into more detail during the presentation on the curriculum)

5. We have discussed the situation and allocated teachers to classes after consideration of colleagues’ experience and any preferences expressed • It will be possible to provide additional support staff in the Foundation Phase through WAG grants and the savings made • We have also considered where we are going to house classes

6. Mixed-age Teaching • Teaching a mixture of ages, year groups and abilities is more common than might be expected • All Local Education Authorities in England and Wales have schools operating mixed-age classes and the number is rising

7. Possible Drawbacks • The fears that older children may be ‘held back’ by being in a class with younger children • The risk that younger children may be intimidated by the level of attainment of the older and most able in the room • Gaps between maturity levels in the group may cause problems • Children being separated from their friends

8. Possible Drawbacks • Planning is more complex than for a single-age class • Policies and schemes of work need to take the extra needs of the mixed-age class into account • It may take longer for the teacher to prepare appropriate resources • There is no doubt that mixed-age teaching challenges the teacher’s classroom-management skills. But in reality, even mono-age classes require mixed-age and mixed-ability teaching skills.

9. Positive Benefits • Studies have shown that children develop cognitively and socially through interaction with older and younger children • Older children have been shown to benefit from being a role-model for younger children – this has had a positive impact on behaviour and learning • Younger children look to the older ones to teach them • Educationalists have argued that this situation can nurture thinking skills, problem solving skills, vocabulary and other social skills

10. Positive Benefits • Friendship groups can cross traditional boundaries • Mixed-age classes resemble more closely the family setting that children with siblings experience at home • Grouping children along a variety of lines, such as age, ability, topic being studied, friendship, achievement etc., reinforce the skills needed for independent learning

11. The curriculum for primary schools has changed significantly in the past year with the implementation of the Foundation Phase and Curriculum 2008 legislation, together with the new Non-statutory Skills Framework. In fact, the new curriculum orders, with their emphasis on the development of skills rather than a focus on content, make it easier to manage mixed-age classes.

12. Class Organisation, September 2009 Foundation Phase Class Teacher Year Groups Ms. Watson Reception Mrs. Turner Year 1 and 2

13. Key Stage 2 Class Teacher Year Groups Ms. Ni Liathain Year 3 and 4 Mrs. Paull Year 4 and 5 Mrs. Phillips Year 5 and 6

14. The Way Forward • Careful planning and effective teamwork will ensure success (more on this in the curriculum presentation) • Time-management and effective teaching are evident in successful mixed-age schools • We are actively seeking the support of LEA advisory staff and colleagues in schools who have managed this process effectively • We have time to plan for, and manage effectively, these significant changes in our school. I am confident that we have an excellent staff team who can build on our previous successes.

15. The Way Forward • The primary factor in the allocation of classes will be date of birth order, as it is the only fair and objective way to carry out such an exercise • The staff and I will also have to consider the make-up of each class, particularly in relation to the numbers of boys and girls • You will be notified of your child’s class for September when you receive your child’s annual report on Friday 3rd July

16. While sound organisational skills, effective training and appropriate resources are all essential in the mixed-age classroom, a positive attitude in all concerned will go a long way towards ensuring that the myriad benefits, and not the potential drawbacks, are realised.