Class Groupings
How We Organise Classes at Stokesley School: A Guide for Parents
Our Purpose
At Stokesley School, we want every student to achieve their best. To help make this happen, we carefully organise classes so that students are in the right learning environment for them. We use a method called “soft streaming”, which means we group students based on their learning needs, but with flexibility. This helps us give the right level of support or challenge to each student.
Why We Use Soft Streaming
This approach helps us:
- Focus our resources where they’re most needed.
- Give students more personalised teaching.
- Keep students engaged by matching lessons to their needs.
- Offer extra support or stretch students further, depending on what they need.
How It Works in Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)
We organise students into three main types of groups:
1. Maths-Led Group
- Subjects: Maths, Science, Art, and Music.
- Grouping decisions made by subject leaders for Maths and Science.
2. English-Led Group
- Subjects: English, Languages (like French or Spanish), and Humanities (like History and Geography).
- Grouping decisions made by subject leaders for English and Humanities.
Each year group will have 6 or 7 classes, arranged into 3 pairs of similar ability levels.
3. DT-Led Group
- Subjects: Design Technology (DT), including workshop and kitchen-based lessons.
- Grouping decisions made with safety and learning needs in mind.
We use a range of information to decide on groupings, including:
- Primary school results (Key Stage 2)
- Internal tests and assessments
- Teachers’ professional judgement
How It Works in Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11)
In Years 10 and 11, students are grouped based on the subjects they choose. For core subjects like English and Maths, we continue using the same soft streaming approach to make sure teaching is targeted and effective.
Making Sure It’s Fair
- We don’t rely on just one test or piece of data to decide groupings.
- Teachers and subject leaders work together to make thoughtful decisions.
- We regularly review groupings to make sure they’re still right for each student.
- Students can move between groups if needed, based on a full review of their progress.
How We Use Data
We look at data throughout the year to check how students are doing. This includes:
- Primary school results
- School assessments
- Feedback from teachers and teaching assistants
We review this data three times a year and make changes if needed to help students continue progressing.
Fairness and Inclusion
We make sure that all grouping decisions are fair and inclusive. A student with additional needs can be placed in any group, depending on what’s best for them in each subject.