[Twolittleducks]

Hi there

We have started to think about primary schools. There is a nice primary school near us that has around 450 students. From year 2 and up all classes are multi-age classrooms. In my day, composite classes were the exception and not the norm.

The school puts some good spin on why multi-age classrooms are great. So I'm after some feedback from those that have either taught or have children in these types of classes. What are the positive and negatives? What questions should we be asking?

Thanks for your feedback.

Cheers

[MissingInAction]

I think they're great if your child is doing well.

I think there is some potential for problems IF your child is REALLY REALLY struggling.


I would, however, be more concerned about the quality of the teacher and the school as a whole OVER the type of class it is. A good teacher will make it work for everyone. A teacher who is struggling will struggle to help those who are struggling regaqrdless of the type of class.

[Musk Sticks]

I loved being in composite classes as a kid.

I agree though with pp that it might not be so good for a kid who is having difficulties.

[Kay1]

My son was in a Year 1/2 composite last year in Year 1 and this year is in another 1/2 composite in Year 2 (different mix of kids).

Last year he had a great teacher and it seemed to work fine. This year he also has a great teacher so hopefully it will go well also.

[~sydblue~]

When I went to primary school(many moons ago) we had k-3 in one side of the 2 room building and 4-7 in the other.
I loved and thrived in it, but my brother didn't.
So I think for some kids it is a good thing.

[LiveLife]

teachers will say that all classrooms are multiage rooms and that they have to differentiate in a normal classroom for up to a four year spread in abilities. Those of us with kids at either end of that spectrum are often complaining about lack of appropriate differentiation and thats in a straight year level. So if you complicate it even further by having composit classes then it just means the teachers have to cater for an even bigger scatter of abilities and I can only see that that means even bigger problems differentiating. So if your kid is roughly average Id be happy, Id be very concerned if he is either end of the spectrum.

[JaneDoe2010]

ANY class, even if it is a straight grade class not composite, can have a 3 year age range in it, from kids who went to school quite early, then the ones right on age, to the ones who started late. And out of those kids, they can have a huge range of abilities. It all depends on the school and more specifically the teacher in how they personalise lessons and tailor work to individual needs.

[unicycle]

LiveLife was emphasising that the spread is likely to be even greater in a composite and that this can have implications for children at either end of the curve. This has been our experience.

[katrina24]

I like multiage classrooms. While the age range is greater I don't find much impact on ability range. My children go to a school with all multiage except FYOS. I think the overall values and philosophy of the school plus the quality of the teachers is much more important than the class make up.

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

ds attends Montessori which is multi-aged. It goes 3-6 yr olds, 6-9 yr olds and 9-12 yr olds.

In the right setting, I think it's brilliant. It's one of the appeals of Montessori for me. When the children are younger they have older role models, and when they are older they become leaders to the younger kids.

I agree with pp; it's the overall values and philosophy of the school that matters.