St. Rynagh’s Primary School

Division of Classes:

Even Division:

Situations will develop where a class needs to be split evenly into the class below and above.

For example a 4^th class of 27 pupils may need to be divided with 12 pupils being taught in a split class group with 5^th and 15 pupils being taught with 3^rd.

In situations such as this, the older 12 pupils will be taught with the older class, i.e. 5^th in this example, the younger 15 pupils will be taught with the younger class, i.e. 3^rd in this example.

Sectioned Division:

Situations will develop where a class needs to have a section of the class mixed with another level.   If the section is to be mixed with an older level, the older children in the sectioned class will be in the mixed class.  If the section is to be mixed with a younger level the younger children in the sectioned class will be in the mixed class.

A record will be kept of the classes so that if a class is to be sectioned a second or on subsequent occasions the next eldest children will be in the mixed class if the section is with an older class, or the next youngest children will be in the mixed class if the section is with a younger class.

Assessment and Division:

The school may decide to use standardised tests to create class groupings in divided classes.   The school acknowledges the need for differentiation within classes to ensure that each pupil is sufficiently but not impossibly challenged.  In order to facilitate differentiation assessment may be used to decide on class groupings.

S.E.N. Pupils:

Exceptions to the above guidelines will be made where necessary for S.E.N. pupils.  The Learning Support /Resource Team of the school will advise on the placing of S.E.N. pupils is such cases.

Gender Balance:

To ensure gender balance in small groups – when a class is divided or sectioned the smaller group may be formed on a boy, girl alternating format.