At our school, we are a one-and-a-half-form-entry primary school, which means we have approximately 45 children in each year group.

Our classes are organised into a combination of single-year-group classes and mixed-age classes. This structure allows us to create welcoming, balanced learning environments where every child is supported and encouraged to thrive.

How Our Classes Are Organised

Key Stage 1 – Years 1 and 2

• Year 1 – A single-year-group class

• Year 1/2 – A mixed-age class with children from Years 1 and 2

• Year 2 – A single-year-group class

Lower Key Stage 2 – Years 3 and 4

• Year 3 – A single-year-group class

• Year 3/4 – A mixed-age class with children from Years 3 and 4

• Year 4 – A single-year-group class

Upper Key Stage 2 – Years 5 and 6

• Year 5 – A single-year-group class

• Year 5/6 – A mixed-age class with children from Years 5 and 6

• Year 6 – A single-year-group class

How Are Children Allocated to Classes?

Our classes are not organised according to children's ability or their age within the year group.

This means that children are not placed in a particular class because of their academic attainment, whether they are working above or below age-related expectations, or whether they are among the oldest or youngest children in their year group.

Instead, we carefully consider a range of factors when organising our classes, with the aim of creating balanced, supportive and positive learning environments for all children.

Being placed in a mixed-age class does not mean that a child is more or less able than a child in a single-year-group class. All our classes include children with a wide range of strengths, needs and abilities.

How Does Learning Work in Mixed-Age Classes?

Our mixed-age classes follow the same high expectations and ambitious curriculum as our single-year-group classes.

Teachers carefully plan learning to ensure that children are taught the National Curriculum objectives appropriate to their year group, while adapting teaching to meet individual needs.

Mixed-age classes also provide valuable opportunities for children to develop confidence, independence, collaboration and friendships across year groups.

Every Child Matters

Whether a child is in a single-year-group class or a mixed-age class, they receive the same commitment to high-quality teaching, care and support.

No class is considered a 'higher' or 'lower' ability class. We value every class equally and work hard to ensure that all children feel happy, included and successful.

Our priority is always to provide the best possible learning experience for every child, helping them to grow in confidence, develop their talents and achieve their full potential.

How Is the Curriculum Planned and Taught?

In our mixed-age classes, English and non-core curriculum subjects are planned and taught on a two-year rolling cycle. This ensures that, over the course of their time in each key stage, children cover the full range of expected curriculum knowledge and skills, without unnecessary repetition or gaps in their learning.

Mathematics is organised slightly differently, as children need to develop specific mathematical knowledge and skills appropriate to their year group. Where possible, children in mixed-age classes are taught mathematics together. However, lessons are often delivered in two smaller, year-group-specific teaching groups to ensure that learning is closely matched to the relevant curriculum objectives. These groups are taught by the class teacher and a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), who alternate between the groups.

This flexible approach ensures that all children benefit from high-quality, focused teaching, while making the most of the opportunities that mixed-age learning provides.