Teaching & Learning
COMPOSITE CLASSES IN 2025
Composite classes happen for a number of reasons. Many schools may have them due to uneven enrolments by age group – for example, there’s a larger than average intake of Year 1 and a smaller group of Year 2 enrolments.
In order to keep class size to the optimal number, we have decided to run have composite classes in Year 1 and 2 to allow for four evenly sized classes as well as Year 3/4 and 5/6.
Will my child be disadvantaged being in a composite class? Will they fall behind?
The most common fear for parents having a child in a composite class is that they will fall behind – that the teacher's attention will be split between the two years and they’ll get less overall learning time with their teacher. The research, however, doesn’t agree.
Multiple studies conclude it makes no difference to performance whether students are in a straight year group or in a multi-age class. Experts agree the most important factor in determining how well a student does is the quality of the teacher and their teaching.
Additionally, it seems composite classes can actually enhance development; students becoming more confident and assertive, and learning to operate as part of a group while bolstering independent learning skills.
Benefits of Composite Classes
It’s often the case that older students benefit from the confidence boost that comes with being able to help younger learners, while also reinforcing their own learning. Conversely, younger pupils receive the advantage of contact with students who are able to help them with their work, as well as models for appropriate behaviour.
Both older and younger learners also find encouragement in the understanding that there are different levels of ability, and that they are not excluded or forgotten by being better or worse than others in a subject.
Composite classes can offer social and educational benefits, allowing students two years to achieve academic standards and learn at their own pace.
It is important to remember that even within one year group the ability of students ranges from below expected outcomes to beyond expected outcomes- teachers differentiate their content to deal with each class they have, not just composite classes.
As with any classroom- teacher experience and quality of teaching play crucial roles in the success of composite classes.
What does the research show about the academic levels of students in composite classes?
Research by Professor John Hattie into the effect sizes of factors that influence achievement show that composite classes make no difference to the academic outcomes of students learning. The factor that has the largest influence by a very large margin is teacher quality.
Additionally, research concluded that composite classes can actually enhance development; students becoming more confident and assertive and learning to operate as part of a group while bolstering independent learning skills.
What about socially?
Children benefit enormously from having friends outside of their year group. Composites allows them to develop a wider group of friends which gives them more options in the playground, greater connections across the school and can benefit them within the wider community.
Teachers work collaboratively to plan their programs ensuring children in composite classes are provided regular opportunities to join their ‘same age’ peers in various learning situations, including in-class learning and other events and activities.
Consequently, students form wider friendship groups than would normally occur in a straight class. Evidence shows that most children quickly adapt to new classroom situations, developing new social connections while being provided opportunity to continue existing friendships. This opportunity helps build long term social skills while also assisting in building resiliency.