class ORGANISATION 2019/20

Introduction This year has been our best year yet at Lum Head! Ofsted confirmed what we felt – that we are a thriving school with the highest aspirations for all. My favourite line is “This is a thriving school with genuine warmth and a strong sense of teamwork between pupils and staff.” We are very proud of the comments on outstanding behaviour, personal development and welfare. But most of all we are very proud of our children! The comments we have received from parents have been amazing – please look at the tree wordle in the entrance! We now find ourselves in the enviable position of being approached by other schools to support them in their school improvement journey. As for Lum Head, future plans involve a new logo and vision and plans to develop our beautiful outdoor environment further with an outdoor classroom amongst other developments. Please spread the word – if you like what you experience here at Lum Head, please tell others, write google reviews, encourage others to come and see us at work.

Background Last year we introduced mixed age classes in KS1. Prior to its introduction we carried out research by visiting different schools already organising in this way. We then created the model we felt was best for us. We have three classes, each with a balance of Year 1 and Year 2 children. The classes were drawn up by the class teachers as they knew the children best. Maths, English and phonics are taught in year groups. We have used an additional smaller classroom and an additional teacher for four mornings a week to enable us to create two Year 1 and two Year 2 classes for English and Maths. This means that the children have been taught in smaller classes. Other subjects are taught in the three mixed age classes, e.g. PE, art, science etc. The topics for KS1 are now taught on a two year cycle. Topics covered this year in KS1 will be repeated in a year’s time, in September there will be new topics. (Those covered by Year 1 a year ago.)

So how has it gone this year? Last term teachers ran workshops – phonics for parents of Year 1 children, and SATs for parents of Year 2 children. We asked parents at these workshops to fill in a questionnaire on our first year of mixed age classes. These are the results: 100% felt that mixed age classes have been a success this year. Parents were asked what they considered to be the benefits of mixed age classes. These were the most frequent responses: An opportunity to work with different children (64%) Wider friendship groups (58%) Greater challenge (55%) When asked about how confident they were that mixed age classes would be beneficial for their children, a third of parents said they were not confident at the start of the year. By Easter all were confident that mixed age classes were beneficial.

School’s perspective We have three settled classes with children from both year groups working and playing harmoniously together. Teachers and Teaching Assistants have worked together closely to ensure consistency across the three classes. Close team work has helped us to play to individuals’ strengths. Teaching English, maths and phonics in separate year groups has ensured that children in Year 1 and Year 2 are challenged to reach their full potential. Support has been provided through intervention groups and targeted support from Teaching Assistants. Where appropriate, separate year groups have maintained their individuality, e.g. only Year 2 children visited the residents at Mitchell House in December, Year 1 children visited the library. We feel it has been a great success. Children have benefitted socially and academically from this model. The Year 1 children strive to be like year 2, and the Year 2 children love being role models for the younger children.

Proposals for 2019/20 In September we will continue have three classes in KS1. This means that children currently in Reception will be re-organised into 3 classes. They will join the Year 1 children in their classes. We will not rearrange the Year 1 children. They will stay in the same class groups as they are now. We plan to roll this model out in lower KS2 next year, creating three parallel mixed age Year 3/ 4 classes. This means that the children currently in Year 2 will remain in the same class groups as they are now. They will be joined by children currently in Year 3 who will be re-organised into three classes. Reception, Year 5 and Year 6 will continue to be organised as single age classes.

Organisation of Year 3/ 4 classes We will build on the good practice established this year in KS1 to ensure that we work in similar ways in KS2. We feel this model will be beneficial to all children. The Year 3/ 4 classes will study Year 4 topics next year. The curriculum for subjects other than maths and English will be taught on a two-year cycle. Children currently in Year 2 will remain in the same friendship groups instead of being reorganised into two Year 3 classes. Children currently in Year 3 will continue to be together for English and maths, but will have the opportunity to make new friends and work with new children for other areas of the curriculum. As there are currently more children in Year 2 than Year 3, organisation for the teaching of maths and English will not require a fourth teacher or classroom. We will be able to teach maths and English in separate classes – two Year 3 classes and one Year 4 class.

How will we draw up the classes? Each class will have a balance of children from the two year groups. We will endeavour to create three equal classes which are balanced, i.e. girls/boys etc. The class lists will be drawn up by their current teachers as these are the people who know the children best. If you have twins, siblings or cousins in the two year groups, please speak to us to let us know if you would like them together or split. The class lists and the teachers who will be teaching all classes will be arranged after the Whit holiday.

Social and emotional support The teachers will look at friendship groups when they draw up the class lists. This does not mean that all children will be in the same class as all their friends, however all should feel they have friends in their new class. Playtimes will not change – the children will be able to play with whoever they choose at playtime, as they do now. Teachers will run “buddy sessions” for the new classes, ensuring that the children have many opportunities to work and play together. Transition arrangements will ensure that the children will have ample opportunity to visit their new class in July. We will send you a letter on 8th July with your child’s teacher for September. The teachers are very aware of the differing levels of maturity of the children, and will make adjustments accordingly - e.g. we will not suddenly expect a five year old child to behave with the same level of maturity as a seven year old. Teachers will inform colleagues of any children who found settling in more difficult, so that those children can be supported appropriately.

Conclusion Please could you: Talk to your class teacher or Mrs Holmes if you have any questions or concerns. Let us know your preferences if you have siblings in the mixed age groups. Fill in the questionnaire before you leave. Thank you for your time and continued support!