Composite classes – opinions please!

[ScarlettCrossbones]

It looks as though DS will be going into a 3-class composite class (P1/2/3) when he starts school next Aug (we're in Scotland). It will still be a very small class ? only about 16-20 pupils I think.

Quite a few people have looked askance at me when I've mentioned this, and composite classes seem to have this reputation as the "baddie", but is this the reality? I've heard good things too ? they bring the younger kids on, they give the older ones in the class more responsibility, etc.

I'd be really interested to hear people's actual experiences, if your DC have been/are in composite classes. (It will be a Gaelic immersion class too ? not sure how relevant that is!)
Many thanks.

[coppertop]

Mixed experiences here.

One ds was in the younger half of a Yr3/Yr4 class and it was awful. The older ones hated being with the younger ones and vice versa. With hindsight the biggest problem was probably a number of personality clashes.

BUT

My other ds is in a Yr1/Yr2 group and it's been a real success. The teacher is great at differentiating between the different ages and abilities and so far I haven't heard of any problems.

[suitejudyblue]

IME it depends on both the child and the teacher. My DCs have all been in/are still in composite classes and I really don't think they have suffered at all. Luckily though they are all of average/above ability and have a fantastic teacher who is very experienced in teaching mixed ages. The school has recently had a very good Ofsted report and I have no problems with the system at all.
However, if your child is shy or needs extra support or wouldn't be happy with other children who are much older I might think differently. I wouldn't worry about what other people say unless they have experience of the system.
To put your mind at rest could you ask to visit the school and spend some time observing how the class works and the staff deal with the age span.

[Pitchounette]

Message withdrawn

[primarymum]

I've only ever taught a mixed age class so I'm probably biased but I think they can work really well-although they are hard work in terms of planning! I teach Yrs5/6 and the ability levels in my class vary from L1 to L5. However If I just had the yr 5's, the ability levels would STILL vary from L1 to L5! ( the Yr 6's range between 2C and 5, so not too different either!) The children are not taught depending on their age but their ability level and the work differentiated accordingly. It means rather than have just 1 or 2 at either end of the spectrum, I have a small group who can work together and stretch and support each other. The children tend to have a wider age range of friends-from year groups above and below their own as they have shared a class with them at some point! As long as the teacher knows what they are doing, all the children should make the progress they need to!

[AMumInScotland]

DS was only in composite classes in Primary - in P1/2/3 and then P3/4/5 classes in one school, then a P5/6/7 class in a different school. He did very well, and I was very happy with the teaching. I don't think any of the teachers had problems in differentiating work for the children, or treating each one as an individual. You have the advantage of a max class size of 25 which means they will get plenty of one-to-one attention, plus they can move between different groups and even different classes depending on where they've reached in different subjects. eg DS arrived already able to read, so went into a reading group with some of the P2s, and later went through to the older class.

I think the reputation of composite classes as a bad thing is more relevant in a bigger school where they have a mix of full and composite classes (eg if they have a 1.5 class intake), because they are not that practiced at dealing with them. In a school where they only have composites, they have plenty of practice at making it work.

[yummyyummyyummy]

I think 2 year groups in one class is fine.
Three year groups together-less so
DD1 is currentlya Y4 in a Y4/5/6 class which i don't think is good.Lasy year DS2 was an able Y6 in the same class and it was horrendous for him.There is such a huge difference in maturity betwee the youngest Y4 and the most mature Y6.Maths and English wasn't so bad as it was pitched individually at each year group.But stuff like DT projects , PE science activities have to be watered down so much to make them do-able for the younger ones that they are boring for the Y6s.And how would the teacher pick a story for reading aloud which was interesting for everyone.
When i was at primary I was in a composite Y3/4/5/6 class.

[mrz]

I attended a small school with a single teacher and both my children were in mixed age classes R/Y1/Y2 - Y2/Y3/Y4 and Y5/6 it depends greatly on the teacher how well it works, but my experiences are very positive.
I have a friend who teaches in the Shetlands and is the only teacher and she is fantastic at her job.

[castille]

I think they are good if there is a clear structure in the class that takes account of the different ages and their needs.

My DC were/are in composite classes for the whole of pre-school and primary (equivalents of Y1/2/3 and then Y4/5/6). At their school, the older ones mentor the younger ones. When a younger one has a problem with their schoolwork, they first ask their mentor to explain, and if they still don't understand, then they ask the teacher.

It definitely never hindered their progress, on the contrary, DD2 has flourished academically on it.

[Jux]

This year and last dd has been in 'composite' classes, Y5/6 mixed. It has worked very well for her, and that's with her being one of the brightest. She has not been held back at all and has been put on the G&T register - something missed in her old school.

I think it must depend on the school and the teachers. Her old school would have mismanaged it badly, I know. As it is, they're only mismanaging things within years

[yummyyummyyummy]

In fairness Jux a 2 yr mixed class is much different to a 3 yr mixed class

[Jux]

OK, I'll shut up now!

[PurpleEglu]

DS1 is in a P1/2/3 class. He is currently in P2, there are about 15 children in his class. So far it has been great for him, and the children across all ages mix well together, which I think is nice. Rather than all of his friends being the same age.

My only concern is that the high school he will be going to is has about 1800 puils, so I feel it may be a huge shock for him. But for now I have time to worry about that.

[ScarlettCrossbones]

Thanks all, I really appreciate the input ? relieved that there seem to be more positive experiences than negative!