Mathematics 

At St Anthony’s, we have done our research into the best way to group children during mathematical tasks.The consensus from the research is that groupings are best when they are kept flexible and are strategically formed.

For targeted teacher groups, students work in groups where the students in the group might share a common misconception or need to be challenged with a more sophisticated strategy or with more complex numbers. 

When students are working in small groups independently, the most effective way to group children is in mixed ability groups.  The studies into ability grouping during independent mathematics tasks, has caused leading educational researches, such as John Hattie (2017), to describe the practice of ability grouping as “a disaster”. These ability groups have shown to yield significant less mathematical growth in all students in a class, as opposed to when children work in a mixed ability group.  

As a direct result, I have been witness to some amazing discussions by the children working in these flexible groups.  We are ensuring the best possible growth for each and every child while in these groups. 

Lauren Maidment

Mathematics Leader