❓ A Member of Parliament questions the Department of Education and Training regarding the policy, practices, and educational benefits of combined classes in Western Australian schools, particularly within the Vasse electorate. The Department's response provides general information and defers to school-level decision-making.
AnsweredQoN 2511Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What is the Department of Education and Training’s policy on having combined classes (for example, two primary school classes combined into one room)?
(2) When combined classes are being held, what is the Department’s expectations/requirements for both teachers to be physically present within the combined classroom?
(3) Is it acceptable practice for one of the two teachers from a combined class to spend most or all of a class away from that classroom, undertaking photocopying, preparation work or other tasks?
(4) What educational benefits are gained from having class sizes of up to 50 students within a combined classroom setting?
(5) In what years at both primary and secondary level are combined classes allowed to operate?
(6) How many combined classes currently operate at Government schools within the Vasse electorate and what educational benefits are expected to be gained as a result of the operation of these combined classes?
(2) When combined classes are being held, what is the Department’s expectations/requirements for both teachers to be physically present within the combined classroom?
(3) Is it acceptable practice for one of the two teachers from a combined class to spend most or all of a class away from that classroom, undertaking photocopying, preparation work or other tasks?
(4) What educational benefits are gained from having class sizes of up to 50 students within a combined classroom setting?
(5) In what years at both primary and secondary level are combined classes allowed to operate?
(6) How many combined classes currently operate at Government schools within the Vasse electorate and what educational benefits are expected to be gained as a result of the operation of these combined classes?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
31 March 2004
Responded by
Minister for Education and Training
Response time
29 days
(1) The Department provides staffing to schools on the basis of a formula related to school class sizes in various years.
(2) Teaching staff owe a duty of care to students whilst involved in school activities. The duty is to take such measures as are reasonable in all the circumstances to protect students from harm that reasonably ought to be foreseen. This is an issue that would be considered in the event that a teacher is away from the classroom for a period of time.
(3) The issue of the number of teachers active in a combined class context would depend on the classroom strategies being used and the learning needs of the students.
(4) Teachers use a range of teaching styles and class groupings to maximise student learning in the context of the local learning program.
(5) Combined classes could occur at any year level.
(6) 9 combined classes which are combined for between 10-50% of instruction time. Classes are configured to maximise learning opportunities for students.
(2) Teaching staff owe a duty of care to students whilst involved in school activities. The duty is to take such measures as are reasonable in all the circumstances to protect students from harm that reasonably ought to be foreseen. This is an issue that would be considered in the event that a teacher is away from the classroom for a period of time.
(3) The issue of the number of teachers active in a combined class context would depend on the classroom strategies being used and the learning needs of the students.
(4) Teachers use a range of teaching styles and class groupings to maximise student learning in the context of the local learning program.
(5) Combined classes could occur at any year level.
(6) 9 combined classes which are combined for between 10-50% of instruction time. Classes are configured to maximise learning opportunities for students.
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