1. A practical explanation of how this will be organised
KS1 classes in 2018/19
A practical explanation of how this will be organised

2. Rationale
In September 2014 our admission number changed from 30 to 45. This means that we moved from one form entry to 1 ½ form entry.
So far we have not introduced mixed age classes because the number of children across those year groups has not warranted it, however as our numbers rise it is now necessary for us to organise differently.
There is no additional funding available to build extra classrooms or to sustain staffing levels for classes of twenty two/ twenty three children
45 intake equates to three classes over two year groups, i.e. 30 children in each class

3. Mixed Age Classes in September
In September we will have three classes in KS1
This means that children currently in the four classes – two Reception and two Year 1 – will be re-organised into 3 classes
We are going to create three parallel classes, with a mix of Year 1 and Year 2 children in each.
The results of our parents’ questionnaires, completed before the Easter holidays, showed that:
76% strongly agreed and 23% agreed that our school is well led and managed
76% strongly agreed and 23% agreed that our children are taught well
78% strongly agreed and 21% agreed that our children are looked after well in school
Trust us to do a good job for your children!

4. Class Organisation
Currently there are 90 pupils in Reception and Year 1
The children will be placed in one of three classes
Each class will have a balance of Year 1 and Year 2 children
We will endeavour to create three equal classes which are balanced, i.e. Y1/Y2, 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 or siblings in these 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 in KS1 will be arranged after the Whit holiday.

5. Mixed Age Classes in Stockport
Many schools in Stockport operate mixed age classes due to their intake allowance, it is not unusual or detrimental to the children.
It is new to Lum Head, but not to many different and successful schools.
We have liaised with different schools in Stockport to look at the current best practice in mixed age provision and to choose the model that best fits our ethos and values.
There is no evidence to suggest that mixed age classes have a detrimental affect on children’s learning, indeed the Headteachers I spoke to said that children performed better in mixed age than single age classes in their schools.
Some Local Authorities such as Cumbria, have mixed age classes in almost every school, due to the nature of their populations.
It is our primary aim to ensure that our children are happy and that they have every opportunity to fulfil their potential; the way we organise classes should have no impact on this

6. Curriculum Delivery – Foundation Subjects
The National Curriculum is organised into “Age related expectations”, sometimes also called “End of year expectations”.
It is organised differently for English and maths from the way it is organised for other (foundation) subjects.
The National Curriculum has key stage expectations for foundation subjects.
This means that the work can be studied in Year 1 or Year 2.
The KS1 classes will follow the Year 2 geography , history and science topics next year, so that Year 2 children do not repeat what they have learnt this year.
Children in Year 1 will then follow the Y1 topics in
Teachers will plan together, as they do now, to ensure that all classes cover the same work, and there is consistency.

7. Curriculum Delivery – English and Maths
The national curriculum for English and maths is based on similar content for Year 1 and 2
There are corresponding end of year statements for each year group
Pupils can work towards their relevant end of year expectations, whilst using a shared theme or focus as a vehicle to do this in KS1, especially in English lessons
The focus will be on the national curriculum end of year expectations but also on what skills and knowledge the children need to develop next
We are employing an additional part-time teacher to help us to deliver the maths and English curriculum for KS1 next year.
This means that there will be times during the week when the children will work in single age classes, in four rather than three groups.
We will be able to use the additional teacher flexibly to ensure that all children get the teaching, challenge and support they need in reading, writing, phonics and maths.
There will also be teaching assistants working with the children in KS1.

8. 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.
The Reception and Year 1 teachers have already begun running “buddy sessions” for the four 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.

9. Social and emotional support
The teachers are very aware of the differing levels of maturity of the children, and will make adjustments accordingly - we will not suddenly expect a five year old child to behave with the same level of maturity as a seven year old.
Additional teaching assistants in the classes will help us to provide the social and emotional support we feel the children may need.
Our Reception teachers will inform colleagues of any children who found settling in more difficult, so that those children can be supported appropriately.

10. Other news for KS1
Following on from the success and popularity of using Ms Nolan to teach music in KS2, we have decided to employ her for KS1 too next year. This means a half hour music lesson every week from a musician.
We are increasing the amount of time children are taking part in sport and physical exercise, and are increasing the number of hours we use sports coaches in school.
Our new KS1 adventure playground will be built over the Whit holiday, providing additional space where the children can play, and new physical challenges for all our infants.
We are converting the meeting room (the old staffroom, next to the quad) into an additional learning space for KS1.

11. In the Future
It seems highly likely that Lum Head will stay at an intake level of 45 pupils, and that our numbers will stay around this point
Mixed age classes will therefore become a permanent feature of our school
Budget and classroom restrictions in the next few years will mean that mixed age classes will become the norm in Y1/2, Y3/4 and Y5/6
We intend to always be able to maintain 2 classes in our reception years
We will review our class organisation each year, based on numbers in each year group.