Dear Parents
The formation of classes each year is an arduous task that is undertaken very seriously by all staff at Rawlinson Primary School. To inform you how we tackle this process the steps are outlined below.
These steps have been mandated by the School Council.
If you wish to make a class request for your child in 2022 please make sure that you read and understand the process then, by all means come in and see me or send an email with your wish.
Formation of Classes and Class Placement Procedures as well as Split Grades
This document has two major parts:
1. The Formation of Classes Procedures; and the
2. Class Placement Procedures and Split Grade Information
Part 1: Formation of Classes Procedures
Rationale:
To have a clear, consistent and transparent policy in the formation of classes at Rawlinson Primary School (RPS) so that parents, students and teachers are treated equitably within the organisational structure decided by the school.
Aims:
To provide a school structure that offers students the best possible range of learning experiences.
To provide a school structure that provides students with an equal opportunity for learning.
To form evenly balanced classes in which the social, emotional, academic and physical needs of each child are taken into account.
To provide the fairest selection process in the allocation of students to classes.
To ensure that optimum use is made of prior knowledge about a student from teachers, parents and relevant others before class placement.
Responsibility.
The Principal has final responsibility to determine school and class structures, class composition and the allocation of children to various classes.
In exercising his/her responsibility, the Principal will employ a collaborative process with staff and parents.
Procedure
Step 1 - Class Structure and Specialist Subjects
A. The Principal, in consultation with staff and after considering student numbers, will determine school structure which includes the:
Number and structure of classes in the school. Please note careful consideration of gender balance will be given for split grades.
The type and teaching time (FTE) of specialists and learning areas, and
Class sizes.
B. In the formation of class structure and the determination of specialists learning areas, the following factors will guide the decision making:
Factors for Consideration
The educational interests/learning opportunities for the students.
Department of Education resourcing allocation.
Teaching staff’s experience, expertise and preferences.
The Australian Curriculum and Western Australian Curriculum as per the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA).
Step 2 - Allocation of Teachers.
A. The Principal will seek expressions of interest from teaching staff for their preferred teaching role including specialist subjects.
B. When teaching roles/class structures (Step 1) have been decided, the Principal will allocate teachers to particular classes and specialists areas.
Step 3 - Student Allocation Process
A. Students will be allocated to classes once class structure has been determined.
B. In the allocation of students to particular classes, the following factors will be considered.
Factors for Consideration
Student’s abilities.
Gender balance* especially if the class has spilt grades.
Individual student needs – academic/social/emotional/physical/medical/behavioural.
Student relationship and friendship network.
Previous class placements/teachers.
Parental requests:
Parental requests need to be made yearly as previous requests are not considered.
Parents who have children with particular needs are invited to state their concerns in writing to the Principal for consideration. An invitation for this will be advertised in the newsletter and must be submitted to the Principal. Only requests received in writing will be considered.
All parental requests will be considered, but a guarantee will not be given.
Requests for specific teachers and/or classes are not accepted, as there must be an educational reason based on individual student needs.
The Principal will inform staff, if s/he considers it applicable, of parent input prior to the formation of classes.
C. A variety of factors will be taken into consideration when allocating the students into classes. Teachers will use their professional knowledge, school report data, NAPLAN data and behaviour records for each individual student and factors will include ;
Professional deliberations of staff who are familiar with the student;
Academic and behavioural data;
Students educational history (previous classes/special circumstances);
Significant information supplied by parents about a child’s educational history, social/emotional/physical/medical/behavioural factors.
D. Taking into account these factors, staff will work collaboratively to prepare first draft class lists of students in which:
Both individual needs and a whole school perspective are considered;
The overall composition of all classes caters for mixed abilities; and
The classes are fair to all concerned.
Step 4 – Final Class Lists
When draft classes have been completed, the Principal will make any necessary alterations having regard to the following factors:
Confidential valid parental requests.
The understanding that moving one child will necessarily mean altering the balances
Already considered when placing students.
Step 5 – Publication of Class Structure and Class Lists
A. Staff members will not disclose the composition of proposed classes prior to any formal announcement made by the Principal.
B. Details relating to the school organisation will be released to parents at the commencement of the school year.
C. Parents will be notified of their child’s placement two days, before school commences. This enables any enrolment changes over the Christmas vacation to be accommodated.
Step 6 – Parent Enquiry/Alteration of Class Lists
Only in exceptional circumstances will children will be moved across classes once they have been formed. In these cases:
Parents will be encouraged in the first instance to nurture children through events which may not be their first choice.
Consideration will only be given to the movement of a child after the lapse of one term.
A case conference chaired by the Principal and the School Psychologist will be required to establish exceptional circumstances.
The Principal will make the final decision and inform the class Teachers, Parents and Manager of Corporate Services, to action changes.
Kind regards
Darryl Dedman
