Composites - Stages not Ages

Composites - Stages Not Ages

At the beginning of a new school year, many parents find their child in a multi-age or stage based class. Naturally, questions arise: for the older group - will my child be held back? For the younger group - will my child be able to keep up?

In primary schools, classes are organised in a wide variety of ways. Multi-age or Stage based classes are one such type.

Classes that are made up of children of different year levels have traditionally been called composite classes. In recent times, these classes have also been labelled multi aged or stage based classes. There are two reasons why these classes are formed:

• Educational - where classes are formed on the basis of educational rationale as they are seen to have educational benefit for the student. Our teachers spend a long time working together to form classes that offer the best possible learning for all of our students. We do most of this at the end of the year and the teachers who know the students best make the decisions together.
• Administrative - this is where there is an uneven enrolment in school years and classes need to be formed across a number of school years. This occurs in many primary schools across NSW.
• Multi-age or stage based classes) has been the source of much controversy over the years, with parents often believing that their children are being disadvantaged in some way by being in one. Even within a ‘straight ‘class ( eg Year 2 class), children will be at different levels academically, physically and socially. If your child is in a class with younger children, this doesn't mean that your child is not achieving the outcomes of the Stage, nor will it hold them back in their learning.

Teachers at Nareena Hills Public School are experienced in teaching multi –age classes and in fact this structure has been in place at Nareena Hills Public school for many years. Our staff work in Stage based teams and plan together. The formation of our classes helps consistency between classes as it facilitates team planning and children benefit from the joint expertise of staff. Stage teams often group children across classes or teach different lessons to deepen the learning of students. (eg , students working across classes in literacy or mathematics groups).

Older students are not held back in multi-age classes. Teachers manage different grades in the one class by grouping children according to what they already know and can do and by differentiating instruction. This is achieved through continual assessment for learning against the syllabus (which is Stage based) and against the literacy and numeracy continuums.

Teaching and learning programs are then planned and ‘differentiated' to meet the needs of all students. Teachers adjust their teaching by extending those who learn more quickly and giving more support when required, through group work and individualised learning. The cycle of continuous assessment underpins the development and implementation of teaching and learning programs.

Children in multi-age classes do no better or worse academically than their peers in straight grade classes, and, socially, their development can be enhanced. They can be more confident, can operate better as part of a group, and become more independent learners and better problem-solvers. They also make friends outside of their standard age-groups.

The content of NSW syllabuses are structured in Stages. This means that the outcomes achieved are generally achieved over a 2 year period. However, there will always be exceptions with some children achieving both above below the outcomes of their Stage. The stages of learning are:

Early Stage 1 – Kindergarten      

Stage 1 – Years 1 and 2                 

Stage 2 – Years 3 and 4 

Stage 3 – Years 5 and 6

 Multi-age classes work well where both teachers and parents believe that the quality of the teaching & learning taking place is far more important than whether or not the class was formed on an age basis.

Children need time to settle into their new class and get to know their new classmates and teachers. Please don't hesitate to make an appointment to see your child's class teacher to discuss your child's progress. Working together to achieve educational goals is imperative.