Mixed-aged classes

As we begin planning for the new academic year, we would like to share information about our class structure from September 2026.

Carclaze was originally built as a two-form entry primary school, with capacity for 420 pupils. Like many schools across the country, we have seen a gradual reduction in pupil numbers as birth rates have fallen nationally and, from September, we expect to have around 350 children on roll.

This means that next year our school will be organised into 12 classes, with the following structure:

Three mixed Reception/Year 1 classes
Three mixed Year 2/3 classes
Two Year 4 classes
Two Year 5 classes
Two Year 6 classes

Mixed-age classes are a well-established model used successfully in primary schools. They provide children with opportunities to learn alongside peers of different ages, develop confidence and independence, build positive relationships and develop the skills that help them become caring, resilient and confident learners.

Our curriculum is carefully designed to ensure that every child receives their full curriculum entitlement. Every day, our teachers adapt learning to meet the different needs of the children in their class. We want to reassure you that this will continue within our mixed-age classes, ensuring that teaching is appropriate to each child's age, stage and individual needs, with all children supported and challenged to make strong progress from their own starting points.

Our aim is to create balanced and equitable classes that reflect the needs of all children. We will carefully consider children's ages, attainment, additional needs, friendships and individual circumstances to create classes where every child feels they belong, is challenged to achieve their best and is supported to flourish.

Our first transition activity is planned for Tuesday 7th July. We know that children and families will be keen to find out their new class and teacher, so we will share this information as soon as the arrangements have been finalised and before the transition activities begin.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. As we prepare for the new school year, we remain committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to Care, Communicate, Persevere and Sparkle.

Mixed Classes FAQs

Why have you chosen this class structure?

From September, Carclaze will move from 14 classes to 12 classes because of the reduction in pupil numbers.

Schools can organise mixed-age classes in a number of different ways. After carefully considering the options available, we have chosen to create:

Three Reception/Year 1 classes
Three Year 2/3 classes
Two Year 4 classes
Two Year 5 classes
Two Year 6 classes

This was a deliberate educational decision. Rather than having one single-age class alongside mixed-age classes, every class within each phase will follow the same structure.

This model provides an equitable experience for children. It allows teachers and teaching assistants to work together as one team with consistent planning, staffing, curriculum delivery and pastoral support across the phase.

Our aim has been to create a structure that works for children first and foremost.

Why not have one Reception class, one Reception/Year 1 class and one Year 1 class?

This was one of the options we carefully considered.

However, it would have created three different experiences within the same phase. Instead, every Reception and Year 1 class will follow the same model.

This means the whole phase team will be able to plan together, share staff flexibly and provide a consistent experience for every child.

Exactly the same thinking has been applied to Year 2 and Year 3. Rather than having one Year 2 class, one mixed Year 2/3 class and one Year 3 class, all three classes will follow the same structure.

What will the Reception and Year 1 phase look like?

One of the strengths of the new Reception and Year 1 phase is the range of learning environments available to children.

From September, children will have a class base in Porthpean, Pisky Cove or Greenaway. This is where they will be welcomed each morning, registered and collected at the end of the day.

Throughout the day they will also use the current Polkerris Early Years classroom and outdoor learning environment, which will remain an important part of the Reception and Year 1 phase.

Rather than being based in one classroom throughout the day, children will benefit from four connected learning spaces. This will allow the team to provide practical learning, continuous provision, targeted teaching, small-group support and high-quality outdoor learning whilst making full use of the excellent facilities available within the phase.

How were the classes decided?

Current teachers know the children extremely well and spent a considerable amount of time creating balanced classes.

Many factors were considered, including:

Friendships
Social dynamics
Academic balance
Learning needs
Confidence and wellbeing
SEND needs
Behaviour for learning

No single factor determines class organisation. Teachers have used their professional knowledge of the children to create balanced classes that give every child the best opportunity to flourish.

What will the curriculum look like in a mixed-age class?

Learning in a mixed-age class provides valuable opportunities for children to become familiar with the next stage of their education. By learning alongside older or younger children at appropriate times, they build confidence, develop independence and experience smoother, more successful transitions from Reception into Year 1 and from Year 2 into Year 3.

Every child will continue to follow the curriculum for their own year group. Reception children will learn through the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, while Years 1, 2 and 3 will follow the National Curriculum appropriate to their age and stage. Teachers will carefully plan learning so that every child is taught the knowledge and skills they need, with some learning taking place together and some being taught separately where this best supports the curriculum.

How will planning and teaching work in a mixed-age class?

Across CELT, a number of primary schools successfully teach mixed-age classes. Schools are supported by a dedicated curriculum team who carefully sequence learning and develop high-quality curriculum resources specifically for mixed-age teaching.

From September, teachers at Carclaze will work closely together within each phase, planning collaboratively to ensure consistency across all three classes.

Planning will always begin with what each year group needs to learn. Teachers will then identify which parts of the curriculum can be taught together and where children need year group-specific teaching.

Sometimes children will learn together before moving on to different learning activities or outcomes. At other times, children will be taught separately in year groups or smaller groups where this best supports their learning.

This approach will ensure every child learns the knowledge and skills expected for their own year group while also benefiting from being part of a mixed-age class.

Will children always be taught together?

Children will sometimes learn together and sometimes in year groups or smaller teaching groups, this already happens with RWI lesson, where children are grouped according to their stage not age.

Teachers will organise learning in the way that best supports children's progress, the curriculum being taught and the needs of individual children. This will vary depending on the lesson and the learning taking place.

Will my child still learn everything they need to for their year group?

Yes, every child will continue to receive their full curriculum entitlement.

Teachers already adapt learning every day in our mixed ability classes so that children develop the knowledge and skills expected for their year group, this will continue within the mixed age classes providing the right support and challenge for individual needs.

Will my child still be with their friends?

We know how important friendships are.

Every effort has been made to ensure children have familiar faces within their class whilst also creating balanced classes across the phase.

Children will continue to spend time with friends throughout the school day, including at playtimes, lunchtimes, assemblies and wider school activities.

Will this always be the structure at Carclaze?

Future class structures will always depend on the number of children attending the school at the time.

While we cannot predict future pupil numbers, every decision will continue to be made carefully with children's education and wellbeing at the centre to carefully plan every child's journey through Carclaze from Reception to Year 6.

Does the school have experience of mixed-age classes?

Yes.

Across CELT, a number of primary schools successfully teach mixed-age classes, supported by a dedicated curriculum team and shared expertise across the Trust.

Mixed-age teaching has also been a significant part of Miss Williams's own leadership experience, first at Luxulyan School and then at Port Isaac Academy. Alongside the expertise available across CELT, that experience will support the development of this model at Carclaze.

I still have questions.

f you would like to discuss your own child or any aspect of these changes, and are unable to join us this afternoon, please contact the school office.

carclazesecretary@car.celtrust.org

01726 74194

Thank you for your continued support.