Team Re-organisation (Mixing-up)
When do we re-organise Teams?
At Hillcross, we re-organise team groupings when the children leave Reception and enter Year One in order to ensure they are in a balanced group. The Year One groupings remain the same as the children progress through their primary education unless situations arise which result in the Headteacher deeming it necessary to change them - this could result from children leaving and joining the school or changes to existing children's circumstances.
How do we decide on class groupings?
In keeping with our school ethos, we always keep the best interests of the children at the forefront of our minds when reorganising teams. Whilst there is no such thing as a 'perfect' balance, we consider the following characteristics to ensure children are split across the year group evenly in the fairest way possible:
- Discussions with all current year group staff, including support staff, take place to ensure consideration of team dynamics. This includes consideration of friendships, individual and group behaviour, emotional well-being, mental health awareness, parental involvement and any other factors that impact team groupings. In EYFS, levels of involvement and well-being are also considered.
- Gender.
- Children with Special, Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) The level of need is considered e.g. SEN concern, Support Plan or EHCP. Consideration is also given with regard to the number of children who receive a high level of support at the Support Plan stage.
- Children who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL). (Children within the year group are assessed as 1—new to English, 2— developing English language or 3— fluent in English.)
- Ethnicity.
- Religion.
- Attainment. A balance of children working above, at, towards or below ARE - Age Related Expectations. Within each of these attainment categories there will be different needs and abilities which will also be considered and taken into account. Other statutory data is also considered, e.g. EYFS Profile and KS1 data.
- Progress. A balance of children who have typically made accelerated, expected or below-expected progress. Where deemed relevant, this is considered from previous years.
- Term of birth. A balance of children born in the autumn, spring and summer.
- Pupil Premium—including children who are eligible for free school meals and ‘Ever Six’ children (who are not currently eligible for free school meals but have been in the past six years).
- Vulnerable or children who are looked after (CLA) - including those who have social services involvement.
When do children and parents get informed?
When a team re-organisation has been decided upon, parents and children are informed when the team announcements are made at the end of the summer term. This ensures everyone remains focussed on their learning in the current year group.
How will the school ensure my child is not affected by mixing up the classes?
We speak positively to their children about the change, reminding them that they will still see friends they are not in the same class as and explaining that this is an opportunity to make new friends. We talk to children about resilience and that, by managing this experience, they will be better prepared for similar times in the future. We encourage parents to speak in the same way to their children.
How will the school support children who find change difficult?
As we do at any transition point, there is a range of different strategies and resources that the school will use to support individual children. This will be on a child-by-child basis.
